Digital Commons Network^™

Chemical Characterization And Impact Of Nipple Fruit (Solanum Mammosum) On The Characteristics Of Lactobacillus Acidophilus La K, Ricardo S. Aleman, Dany Avila, Allan Avila, Jack N. Losso, David Picha, Zhimin Xu, Kayanush Aryana

Faculty Publications

Nipple fruit (Solanum mammosum) has been considered to have great pharmaceutical potential because of its high amounts of solamargine and solasonine. This study aimed to examine the effect of nipple fruit at different concentrations (0.5%, 1%, and 2% (w/v)) on the viability, acid, bile, lysozyme, and gastric juice tolerance, and protease activity of Lactobacillus acidophilus LA K. The viability was studied in MRS broth. Acid tolerance was determined by adjusting the pH to 2, whereas bile tolerance was examined with oxgall 0.3% (w/v) in MRS broth. Lysozyme resistance was investigated in an electrolyte solution with lysozyme (100 mg/L), while gastric …

2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog, The University Of Alabama In Huntsville

Course Catalogs

No abstract provided.

A Study Of 5g Cellular Connectivity To Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Jackson Murrin

All Theses

The market of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has seen significant growth in the past ten years on both the commercial and military sides. The applications for UAVs are endless and options by manufacturers allow users to modify their drones for their specific goals. This industry has opened up the excitement of piloting vehicles in the air, photography, videography, exploration of nature from a different point of view and many other hobbies assisted by the emergence of UAVs. The growth of this industry coincides with the roll out of new 5G cellular network technology. This upgrade in cellular network infrastructure allows …

Use Of Biorational Products For Botrytis Management In Floriculture Crops, Josselyn Calidonio

All Theses

Botrytis cinerea is an important pathogen that has a significant economic impact on the floriculture industry from propagation to the postharvest environment. Chemical fungicide applications have been one of the main approaches that growers use for botrytis blight management; however, studies have shown that the indiscriminative use of these chemicals leads to fungicide resistance (Brent and Hollomon, 1998; Fillinger and Elad 2016). This thesis explores the potential use of biorational products for botrytis blight management. Biorationals are defined as compounds that have low or no direct mammalian toxicity and few effects on the environment (Paulitz and Belanger 2001). A review …

Interview With Terry Blum (2023), Terry Blum, Andrea Mcdonald

Monterey County Theatre Alliance

No abstract provided.

A Qualitative Study Exploring The Lived Experiences Of At-Risk College Students Who Become Honors Students, Billie June Bailey

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of at-risk college students who become honors students. There is much quantitative research on the factors that influence or predict the path of at-risk students becoming honors students. What is less well established in literature is what personal transformation occurs in the lives of students placed at-risk who go on to become honors students. While many pre-freshman programs have the strategies to provide individual opportunity and increase economic prosperity by producing college graduates, it is less obvious what individual students do in their journey moving from underprepared to becoming an honors student. In …

Educating Health Care Professionals On Implantable Hearing Solutions To Increase Appropriate Referral Rates In Adults, Hailey Lynn Guyette

Doctoral Scholarly Projects & Capstones

Despite being an available hearing treatment option for several decades, there is still an underutilization of cochlear implants within the population of adults with hearing loss that would meet candidacy criteria. Only 8% of people that are cochlear implant candidates utilize cochlear implants. Thus, it is important to examine why underutilization occurs and how to solve the problem. The current doctoral scholarly project aims to educate health care professionals, with targeted audiences of hearing instrument specialists and primary care practitioners, on cochlear implants, outcomes, and candidacy. Narrated PowerPoint presentation videos were created as a way to educate health care professionals …

Fat And Queer: A Qualitative Exploration Of Womens' Experiences Of Fatphobia, Jaidelynn Keeley Rogers

Dissertations

A paucity of psychological research exists on the topic of fatphobia, a type of pervasive oppression that occurs for people with plus-size, large, and/or fat bodies. Much of the research that exists about fatphobia focuses on medical ideals, the associated weight stigma, and how these are related to fat people’s physical health. Medical researchers have determined that weight stigma is actually more harmful to fat people's health than being fat. Fatphobia impacts women at disproportionate rates. Plus-sized, queer, lesbian, bisexual, and pansexual (LGBTQ+) women may be at a heightened risk for experiencing marinization as a result of their intersecting identities …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex During Postpartum Breastfeeding: A Phenomenological Study, Stephanie Herr, Jessica Devido, Richard Zoucha, Jill Demirci

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study sought to explore the lived experiences of Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex (D-MER) during postpartum breastfeeding. A phenomenological method based on Giorgi’s phenomenological underpinnings was used. The setting for this study was virtual interviews in a secure online platform. The sample consisted of 13 participants, self-identifying as experiencing D-MER. Semi-structured interviews, with thematic analysis of transcription were conducted. Four major themes were identified: 1) Breastfeeding concessions and toleration; 2) Something does not feel “normal”; 3) I remember a feeling like this before 4) This is real, and recognition is validating. Conclusions were that women of this study value the …

Exploring Food-Based Cultural Practices To Address Food Insecurity In Rural Appalachia, Lauren Cassidy Batey, Emily M. Dewitt, Dawn Brewer, Kathryn M. Cardarelli, Heather Norman-Burgdolf

UK CARES Faculty Publications

Background. Health behaviors, like diet, are influenced by a person’s culture and the society where they reside, contributing to the presence of health disparities within a unique region. Such disparities are evident in Central Appalachia where a unique cultural identity exists. Culture-based initiatives focused on improving food security and other nutritional challenges have had success in other diverse groups, yet similar interventions considering geographically tied culture, like Appalachia, are limited. Aim. This study aims to identify specific aspects of Appalachian culture that address food insecurity to inform future initiatives that may improve adult dietary habits and food security status. Methods. …

How Food Helps Recall Old Memories, Arina Fitria Hidayati

International Programs

Food is an essential daily need for humans. Besides the nutritional advantages, food consumption is also strongly connected to memory. The hippocampus part in human brain plays an important role in forming memories about and around food trough inputs from all senses.

The Influence Of Premium Finished Paper Packaging On Consumer Behavior, Sahil Bhayani

All Theses

Companies face the challenge of determining the return on investment of premium paper packaging features, such as substrate thickness and finishing options. If companies can better understand how consumers perceive “premium,” they could channel their focus on specific design elements and maximize their returns (Dwivedi & Nayeem, 2018). Touch is a critical factor in driving consumer behavior and purchase decisions and influencing trust between brands and consumers (Krishna et al. 2017). While previous studies have explored the impact of design elements like size, shape, color, and font on consumer behavior, this research investigates the influence of touch, substrate, print finishes …

Identifying Genetic Sources Of Anthracnose Resistance In Global Sorghum Lines, Mary-Frances Behnke

All Theses

Anthracnose of sorghum (causal agent: Colletotrichum sublineola) is the most detrimental disease of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) worldwide, significantly reducing grain yield. This study includes a literature review of the disease and a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of anthracnose-resistance in sorghum as means to elucidate genetic sources of the trait. The meta-analysis includes genotypic and phenotypic data from 5 unique studies and 1,071 sorghum lines. Original genotyping-by-sequencing data from were obtained primarily from National Center for Biotechnology Information’s Sequence Read Archive (NCBI-SRA) and prepared and processed using the Tassel 5 GBS v2. pipeline. Phenotypic data were …

Sex Differences In Resting Metabolic Rate Among Athletes And Association With Body Composition Parameters: A Follow-Up Investigation, Andrew R. Jagim, Margaret T. Jones, Andrew T. Askow, Joel Luedke, Jacob L. Erickson, Jennifer B. Fields, Chad Kerksick

Faculty Scholarship

The purpose of this study was to examine sex differences in resting metabolic rate (RMR) and associations between measured RMR and body composition parameters in athletes. One-hundred and ninety collegiate men (n = 98; age: 20.1 ± 1.6 yr.; body mass: 92.7 ± 17.5 kg; height: 181.6 ± 6.2 cm, body mass index: 28.0 ± 4.7 kg/m2) and women (n = 92; age: 19.4 ± 1.1 yr.; body mass: 65.2 ± 11.0 kg; height: 168.0 ± 6.6 cm, body mass index: 23.0 ± 3.6 kg/m2) athletes volunteered to participate in this study. Athletes completed a body composition assessment using air …

A Randomized Controlled Trial To Examine The Impact Of A Multi-Strain Probiotic On Self-Reported Indicators Of Depression, Anxiety, Mood, And Associated Biomarkers, Kylie E. Walden, Jessica M. Moon, Anthony M. Hagele, Leah E. Allen, Connor J. Gaige, Joesi M. Krieger, Ralf Jäger, Petey W. Mumford, Marco Pane, Chad M. Kerksick

Faculty Scholarship

Objective: To examine the efficacy of supplementing with a multi-strain probiotic (MSP) on changes associated with mood, anxiety, and neurotransmitter levels.

Method: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled fashion, 70 healthy men and women (31.0  ±  9.5  years, 173.0  ±  10.4  cm, 73.9  ±  13.8  kg, 24.6  ±  3.5  kg/m2 ) supplemented with a single capsule of MSP (a total daily dose of 4 × 109 colony forming units [CFU] comprised of a 1 × 109   CFU dose from each of the following strains: Limosilactobacillus fermentum LF16, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LR06, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LP01, and Bifidobacterium longum 04, Probiotical S.p.A., Novara, …

Intra-Gendered Perceptions And Adoption Of Climate-Smart Agriculture: Evidence From Smallholder Farmers In The Upper East Region Of Ghana, Kwabena Antwi, Philip Antwi-Agyei

Student Publications [Scholarly]

Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) remains a key strategy for sustaining agricultural systems and achieving food security and nutrition. Despite this, uncertainty remains on how intra-gendered dynamics influence its adoption in dryland farming systems. This study implements both quantitative and qualitative approaches including household surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions to explore how intra-gender dynamics shape the perceptions and adoption of climate-smart agriculture in three selected communities (Katanga, Dakio, and Zonno) in the Bolgatanga East District of the Upper East Region of Ghana. Specifically, the study answers the following research questions: (i) What is the degree of change in rainfall …

Explicit And Implicit Measurements Of Sensory And Emotional Responses To Stimuli In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asmita Singh

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that causes significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges and it is often involved in sensory processing issues that lead to feeding problems. While our understanding of how sensory responses differ in people with ASD is limited, past studies indicated atypical responses to certain stimuli. If these stimuli can be identified, they could be good indicators to identify the risk of autism in young children. The main objective of this dissertation was to identify a specific stimulus leading autistic children to exhibit atypical responses in terms of sensory or emotional aspects. Children between …

The Effect Of Carbohydrate Source As Part Of A High Protein, Weight-Maintenance Diet On Outcomes Of Well-Being In Adults At Risk For Metabolic Syndrome, Mariya Hayat

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Obesity is a growing epidemic affecting at least 312 million people worldwide and is a major risk factor for chronic diseases such as metabolic syndrome (MetS). MetS is defined based on the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III, as having 3 or more of the following: waist circumference greater than 102 cm in men or greater than 88 cm in women; serum level of triglycerides of 150 mg/dL or greater; high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level of less than 40 mg/dL in men or less than 50 mg/dL in women; systolic/diastolic blood pressure of 130/85 mmHg or greater or …

An Exploration Of Saudi Women’S Experiences And Perceptions Towards Participation In Physical Activity And Sports In The United States, Ahmed H. Sumayli

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A significant proportion of Saudi women are currently living in different Western countries, including the United States of America. Physical activity and sports participation play a significant role in maintaining health and well-being for all individuals. Understanding their physical activity experiences and perceptions regarding participation in sports activity during their stay in the United States is important. This study aimed to understand if the length of residence in the United States and/or acculturation to the U.S. environment could significantly change Saudi women's patterns, attitudes, and behaviors towards sports and fitness activities. This qualitative study was carried out to explore and …

Nutrient Responses To Hippuric Acid In Sheep Urine Applied To Pasture Soil Cores, Ethan Avery Collins

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Hippuric acid is a breakdown product of tannins, which bind with proteins in the animal rumen and slow down protein metabolism, thus increasing nitrogen (N) retention in the animal. Increased hippuric acid concentration in bovine and ovine urine applied to soil may decrease rates of nitrification, denitrification, and nitrous oxide fluxes in pasture soils. Additionally, condensed tannins have increased rates of carbon mineralization when incorporated in humus and leaf litter. To evaluate effects of hippuric acid concentration, treatments of urine from sheep fed a tannin-supplemented diet, synthetic urine, or urea controls were applied to intact soil cores seeded with crabgrass …

Rice Material State Diagrams: Trends Of Contemporary Cultivars And Influence Of Nitrogen Application During Production, Evans Ameyaw Owusu

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Rice is typically harvested at high moisture content (MC) levels which necessitates drying to low MC levels for safe storage. However, drying at inappropriate temperatures and durations can lead to deterioration of kernel quality such as fissure formation. Kernels with these fissures are typically associated with reduced head rice yields and significant economic losses. Material state diagrams for rice have been created by the University of Arkansas Rice Processing Program (UARPP) as a tool to aid in predicting the ideal temperatures to use during drying and tempering (a process of holding rice at the drying temperature for some duration). The …

Dietary Histidine: Broiler Responsiveness With And Without Endogenous Histidine Reserve Consideration, Kenneth Blake Nelson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In the past, histidine warranted little concern from poultry nutritionists because it was seldom deficient in practical broiler diets. With most essential amino acids now commercially available as feed-grade forms to partially replace intact protein ingredients, histidine and its minimum in least-cost formulation are receiving fresh attention. Published histidine requirement data for broilers are sparce, and many of these studies have been conducted on males within the first three weeks post-hatch. Moreover, rudimentary dose-response experimental designs may not be applicable to estimate histidine requirements in later growth periods because histidine is uniquely stored within the body. In times of dietary …

Modeling The Egyptian Goose (Alopochen Aegyptiaca) Invasion; And Future Concerns, Percival Matzinger Marshall

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In an increasingly interconnected world, the ecological and financial cost of invasive species is expected to continue to climb through the movement of exotic biota. Understanding the driving forces behind how a species invades, what environments promote their establishment, and what impacts they are likely to have on the invaded environment are all critical for management. Waterfowl, order Anseriformes, are one such category of invasive species of concern due to their popularity of accidental introduction, ease of movement, and propensity to affect both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca) is a native to the African continent that …

Securing Rice Safety Through Innovative Radiative Heat Treatment And Proper Storage, Faith Achieng Ouma

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Securing the microbial safety of rice is a rising priority within the food industry, especially when used as an ingredient to manufacture ready-to-eat, minimally-processed products. Mold contamination is typically the most problematic for rice because certain species of Aspergillus produce toxic secondary metabolites known as aflatoxins, rendering the grain unfit for human and animal consumption. The objectives of this study are to: (1) investigate the effectiveness of using high-power (915 MHz frequency), short-duration microwaves (MWs) to inactivate microbes on rough rice; (2) use a three-level screening design to determine which storage factors, such as temperature, relative humidity (RH), storage duration, …

Anti-Inflammatory Effect Of Apiaceous Vegetables In A Mouse Model Of Colitis - Implications For Colon Cancer Risk, Laura Mariana Mariana Echavarri Ibarra

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US. Dietary habits account for 50% of the cases. A westernized diet (high fat, high sugar/fructose, and low in fruits and vegetables) and inflammatory bowel diseases are risk factors for colorectal cancer. Evidence suggests phytochemicals in apiaceous vegetables (API; celery family) possess anti-inflammatory and potentially chemopreventive properties. Hence, investigation of whether the consumption of API mitigates acute colitis is warranted. Using mice fed the Total Western Diet (TWD) and administered dextran sodium sulfate (DSS; induces colitis), the objectives of this project are to identify the effects of API …

Phenotypic And Transcriptomic Characterization Of Rice Snrk1 Mutants Developed By Crispr/Cas9 Mutagenesis, Maria Clara Faria Chaves

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

SnRK1 is a heterotrimeric protein kinase that is composed of a catalytic subunit (α) and two regulatory subunits (β and βγ), and it has a main role in regulating energy homeostasis in the plant by modulating anabolic and catabolic process. SnRK1 phosphorylates and alters the activities of enzymes involved in metabolism and regulates gene expression by altering the activity of chromatin-remodeling enzymes or the transcription factors. Rice contains three functional paralogs of SnRK1α: SnRK1αa (LOC_Os03g17980), SnRK1αb (LOC_Os08g37800), and SnRK1αc (LOC_Os05g45420). This study focused on the function of these SnRK1 paralogs by evaluating the phenotypic and transcriptomic characteristics and the disease …

Generating Health-Promoting Bioactive Compounds And Nanoporous Materials From Rice Processing Byproducts Via Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Technology, Sumanjot Kaur

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Rice husk and bran, byproducts of rice processing, are generated in large quantities (~30-40% of the total rice weight) and are discarded as waste or burned in an open field, creating a major disposal problem for the rice industry. However, these byproducts contain high-value compounds, including phytochemicals, fiber, and proteins. Therefore, the goal of this study was to generate high-value food ingredients from rice processing byproducts using a green, innovative approach based on supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) technology. Specific objectives were to (i) extract health-promoting phytochemicals from rice husk and (ii) convert rice bran into nanoporous materials using SC-CO2. First, …

Radiofrequency And Gaseous Technologies For Enhancing The Microbiological Safety Of Low Moisture Food Ingredients, Surabhi Wason

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

High heat resistance and long survival of Salmonella in low moisture food ingredients (LMFIs) such as spices and seeds are concerning as they are typically consumed without cooking. Therefore, it is challenging to effectively inactivate pathogenic bacteria without negatively impacting the quality of the treated product. This dissertation aimed to develop and evaluate novel intervention technologies: in-package radiofrequency steaming and non-thermal gaseous technologies to improve the microbial safety of LMFIs. The dissertation can be divided into three parts. The first part of this dissertation on the thermal inactivation kinetics of Salmonella and a surrogate, Enterococcus faecium NRRL B-2354on black pepper …

Influence Of Overcooking On Food Digestibility And In Vitro Fermentation, Wensheng Ding

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

Areas of char or overcooking commonly appear in foods people consume. It has been reported that overcooked food is harmful to human health. However, little research exists on the effect of overcooking on in vitro protein and starch digestibility and gut microbial fermentation. This study aimed to reveal the connection between overcooking and in vitro protein and starch digestibility and gut microbial fermentation. In vitro protein digestibility of an overcooked ground beef patty was almost half that of a standard cooked sample (27 ± 2% versus 48 ± 6%, respectively; p = 0.02). Whole wheat bread protein digestibility was also …

Role Of Hospital Leadership In Pandemic Preparedness: Experience At A Tertiary Hospital In Kenya During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Lucy Mwangi, William Macharia, Benjamin Wachira, Jemimah Kimeu, Boniface Mativa, Lukoye Atwoli

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Introduction: Pandemic preparedness refers to being ready for, responding to and recovering from public health crises, and is integral for health security. Hospital leadership is a critical building block of an effective healthcare system, providing policy, accountability and stewardship in a health crisis.

Objectives and methods: We aimed to describe the leadership and governance structures put in place at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, a private not-forprofit tertiary healthcare facility, following the COVID-19 pandemic. We reviewed over 200 hospital documents archived in the COVID-19 repository including those received from the Kenya Ministry of Health, emails, memos, bulletins, meeting minutes, …