Digital Commons Network^™

Comparing Perceived Ideal Protein Intake In Plant-Based Versus Meat-Based Diet Consumers, Gysel Avendano, Saya Iwanaga

Loma Linda University Research Reports

High-protein diets have gained significant popularity in both social media and public discussion and more recently, a significant rise in protein consumption has been observed. Existing research has reported differences in actual protein intake across dietary patterns, with animal-based diets generally associated with higher total protein intake compared to plant-based diets. This growing focus on protein raises important questions about perceived ideal protein intake and the factors that shape it.

The primary objective is to compare perceived ideal protein intake among Southern California adults consuming meat-based versus plant-based diets. Additionally, we explored the influence of protein-related knowledge, beliefs, values, information …

Exploring The Relationship Between Bmi Classification And Levels Of Food Noise, Edmarie Billosillo

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Rising rates of obesity in the United States necessitates an understanding of the multitude of factors that contribute to it. Recently, “food noise” has emerged as a topic of interest in this space. The current survey-based observational study aimed to understand the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and levels of food noise. The results indicate a significant association between BMI and food noise levels and a connection between a history of disordered eating and food noise levels. Additionally scores on the Food Noise Questionnaire (FNQ) and the Food Cravings Questionnaire - Trait – reduced (FCQ-R-r) were found to be …

2026 Document For Faculty And Staff Scholarship Spring Soirée, Kara Schleck, Diana Symons

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

No abstract provided.

Parental Incarceration As A Root Cause Of Food Insecurity: A Faith-Based Inquiry Into Grandparent-Led Households, Jennifer L. Eckert

Doctor of Leadership

Parental incarceration is often seen solely in terms of crime and punishment, overlooking the profound disruption that can destabilize entire households. Grandparents who step in to raise children are frequently left to bear the burden of the collateral damage with limited or fixed incomes, increasing the risk for food insecurity while facing stigma and emotional strain.

Although incarceration and food insecurity are often treated as separate issues, this project, Standing in the Gap: Exploring Family Stability through Immersive Learning, recognizes their connection, particularly when the circumstances stem from parental incarceration. At the same time, many faith communities remain on …

Typology And Spatiotemporal Patterns Of Illegal Fishing Activities In The Philippines: Implications For Fisheries Management, Marlowe O. Acevedo, Tzu-Yun Ching, Chih-Shin Chen

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activity is a global threat and continues to undermine the effectiveness of fisheries regulations and management measures. However, the extent of illegal fishing in Philippine waters remains unclear. This study aims to identify the types of illegal fishing in Philippine waters and analyzed their temporal and spatial patterns. Data were obtained from the records of the Philippine Coast Guards (PCG) and Maritime Law Enforcement Agencies from 2015 to 2020. A total of 602 apprehensions were recorded, resulting in 813 violations, of which 630 cases were fishery violations. Most of the watercrafts involved in the …

What Is The Association Between Iron Deficiency Anemia And The Frequency Or Severity Of Febrile Seizures In Children Under The Age Of 5?, Rehab Fawzy Abdel Mohsen Soliman, Samar Mahmoud Ahmed, Yasmen Ahmed Said, Shaimaa Mohamed Hassan, Dalia Hassanin Hussin, Dina Gaber Soliman, Zeinab Abdalla Ali, Eman Farouk Osman

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background and Aim Febrile seizures (FS) are a common type of convulsion in young children and are frequently associated with fever in the absence of a central nervous system infection. This study aims to investigate the relationship between iron deficiency and febrile seizures, focusing on their occurrence, severity, and recurrence in children aged 6 months to 5 years. Methodology This study employed a case-control design and was conducted at El Sahel Teaching Hospital in Cairo, Egypt, over 12 months. The study sample consisted of 160 children, 80 of whom had febrile seizures and another 80 who were age- and sex-matched …

Applied Psychophysiology: Evaluating The Feasibility Of A Digital Breathing Tool, Jessica Pavelka

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Mental health in the United States is a growing public health concern, with one in five adults living with a diagnosed mental health disorder. The prevalence of mental health concerns among adults in the U.S. has not changed significantly from 2021 to 2024 (Reinert et al., 2025). This study examined how mental health providers can leverage technology to support symptom reduction for their patients during and beyond treatment. Biofeedback has demonstrated lasting health benefits, is cost-effective, and holds promise for novel interventions for conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility, usability, engagement, …

Music To Move You: Comparing Effects Of Music Genre On Subjective Performance Of Football Players In A Practice Setting, Devin Deturk

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Optimizing athletic performance has increasingly extended beyond conditioning to include psychological, health-related, and environmental interventions aimed at enhancing peak mental and physical fitness. However, advanced training mechanisms targeting these factors may not be readily available to all programs, necessitating cost-effective, accessible, and ethically sound adjuncts. Thus, music emerges as a potential solution that remains underutilized in applied sport settings but may be leveraged to address pervasive challenges such as fear of failure, burnout, and over-professionalization. The present dissertation investigated the effects of music in a practice setting, with particular emphasis on its capacity to enhance subjective performance, motivation, and positive …

Rheumatic Resilience: An Occupational Therapy Approach, Shannon N. O'Donnell

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2026

Rheumatic conditions affect nearly one in four adults in the United States (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.) and are characterized by chronic, often progressive symptoms, requiring long-term self-management. Despite this need, accessible and non-pharmacological resources remain limited. The capstone project, Rheumatic Resilience: An Occupational Therapy Approach, was developed to address this gap by promoting sustainable symptom management strategies through programming and education, while increasing awareness of occupational therapy (OT)’s role in chronic pain management. This project focused on areas of program development, education, clinical practice, and advocacy. A 10-week, in-person program based on Lifestyle Redesign principles was …

Harmony In Health: Supporting College Students Through Multidimensional Wellness, Hannah Strong

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2026

Young adults entering college face a critical developmental transition in which they assume greater responsibility for managing their health and wellness, often without adequate guidance or supportive structures. National data indicate rising rates of mental health concerns, sleep deprivation, and food insecurity among college students, highlighting the need for holistic, context-specific wellness initiatives. The Harmony in Health doctoral capstone project was developed to address this gap by applying occupational therapy’s holistic, occupation-based perspective to promote balance across the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Eight Dimensions of Wellness within the Misericordia University community. The purpose of this capstone …

Burnout And Mindful Self-Care Practices Among Bipoc Women Music Therapists: A Cross-Sectional Survey, Melissa V. Peters

Theses and Dissertations--Music

Music therapy as a profession has long acknowledged burnout as a significant occupational concern, yet the experiences of marginalized therapists remain understudied. In particular, little research has explored how burnout and self-care manifest for those who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) women in a field historically dominated by white women. Most of the existing literature on this topic is focused on the majority identity of music therapists, white women. The purpose of this thesis was to examine the reported levels of burnout among BIPOC women music therapists as well as their reported frequency of engagement in …

Study Of The Relationship Between Insulin Resistance And Osteoporosis In Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus And Diabetic Nephropathy Elderly Patients, Mohamed Zakarya Nooh, Alaa Abdelsalam Dawood, Bassant Samy Hamed Hafez, Moustafa Bakrey Hamed Ata

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic kidney disease play a major role in bone deterioration and increased fracture risk because they influence both insulin sensitivity and bone metabolism. Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the connection between osteoporosis and insulin resistance in older individuals with type 2 diabetes and diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Methods: A total of 105 participants were enrolled in the study and divided equally into three groups: 35 diabetic patients with albuminuria, 35 diabetic patients without albuminuria, and 35 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. The study was conducted at the Endocrinology & DM …

Study Of Endocrine Complications In Children With Beta-Thalassemia Major. A Recent Insight, Randa Mohamed Darwish, Omnia Salah El-Din, Samar Mohamed Samir, Mona Ahmed Gabr

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background β-thalassemia major (BTM) is a severe form of transfusion-dependent hemolytic anemia associated with multiple complications, primarily due to iron overload. Endocrinopathies are among the most common long-term morbidities in this population. Objectives To evaluate the prevalence of endocrine complications including hypothyroidism, hypocalcemia, delayed puberty, impaired fasting blood glucose, and diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents with β-thalassemia major, and to assess their association with serum iron overload. Methods This cross-sectional study included 52 children and adolescents 11-18 years age with β-thalassemia major attending Ahmed Maher Teaching Hospital (2022–2024). Anthropometric measurements, Tanner staging, thyroid function tests, gonadal hormones, serum calcium, …

Are The Risks Of Asthma And Allergic Diseases In Children Born By Cesareansection (Cs) Influenced By Maternal Factors (E.G., Maternal Asthma, Diet, Antibiotic Use During Pregnancy)?, Rehab Fawzy Abdel Mohsen Soliman, Samar Mahmoud Ahmed, Yasmen Ahmed Said, Shaimaa Mohamed Hassan, Dalia Hassanin Hussin, Dina Gaber Soliman, Zeinab Abdalla Ali

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background and Aim The increase in the number of Cesarean Section deliveries (CS) in the world has triggered questions about the possible long-term health consequences for the children being delivered, particularly the chances of being affected by asthma and other allergic ailments. Some prior studies suggested that CS deliveries may negatively influence immune system development due to altered microbial colonization and an increased risk of respiratory morbidities. However, trying to separate the impact of delivery methods and the maternal as well as the surroundings is a hard nut to crack. The present study aims to establish whether maternal asthma, diet, …

America’S Spectacle: The Business Of Female Beauty In Professional Cheerleading, Marlene Adelman

Capstone Showcase

The National Football League (NFL) is built on values that also represent the deep rooted patriarchal structures within the country it exists in. The NFL is more than a game; it’s a mirror of America’s powerful subjugation of its women. Using one of the most recognizable cheerleading teams, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, this thesis aims to illustrate how gender is constructed and commodified in professional sports media, which reinforces the male gaze, furthers racial and gender inequalities, and contributes to women’s mental health and body image issues. This paper uses several theories, including male gaze, gender, and intersectionality, along with …

Kentucky Is Working: An Examination Of Higher-Than-Expected Labor Force Participation Rates In Kentucky, Grace E. Coleman, Gabriel M. Kalla, Joseph S. Matthews

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

This client-based capstone examines the drivers of higher-than-expected labor force participation rates across five counties in Kentucky, i.e., Kenton, Pendleton, Owen, Taylor, and Monroe counties. Our client, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, requested a qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with local stakeholders to identify and contextualize factors contributing to the five counties’ overperformance. Our findings suggest that factors such as collaboration and partnership; education and career pathway initiatives; and community champions all play important roles in supporting strong labor force participation. These insights can be used by other counties seeking to strengthen their local workforce.

Patient-Centered End-Of-Life Care: Balancing Ethics, Communication, And Quality Of Life, Alexis N. Courtney

Integrated Studies

Abstract

End-of-life care is not just a medical treatment, but can be the turning point in someone’s life to end unnecessary suffering and honor their wishes to have quality over quantity in life. This paper will discuss end-of-life care from the perspectives of patient autonomy, communication, ethical decision making, and system influences. It will explore the impact of honoring patient preference. Not to mention how speaking honestly and compassionately may affect enhancing the quality of life of patients experiencing terminal or life-limiting illnesses.

One of the key aspects of this paper is the significance of communication in end-of-life care. Specifically, …

The Politics Of Fatness And The Demand For Our Collective Joy, Sky Caldwell

Scripps Senior Theses

The Politics of Fatness and the Demand for Our Collective Joy aims to assess the political-economic reasonings behind the return of overt anti-fatness and its coincidence with the re-normalization of the far right. My research looks at the sudden mass marketing of GLP-1 drugs and the use of the body as a spatial fix during recession-era economic conditions. First, this interdisciplinary project asks why the body positivity movement has not been successful in the greater fight against anti-fatness. Then, through archival research, discourse analysis, ethnographic interviews, and photography, my project explores various case studies of successful spaces and collectives working …

“Beejagalu Namma Jeevana” (Seeds Are Our Life): Women Farmers’ Relational Practices Of Care, Labor, And Life Within Regenerative Systems In South India, Sara F. Mehkri

Scripps Senior Theses

“Beejagalu Namma Jeevana” (Seeds are Our Life): Women Farmers’ Relational Practices of Care, Labor, and Life within Regenerative Systems in South India, examines the role of women farmers in regenerative agricultural systems in Kanakapura, Karnataka, through ethnographic fieldwork with GREEN Foundation (GF) and its farmer networks. It argues that regenerative agriculture in this context is produced through care-based multispecies assemblages that reconfigure relationships between labor, knowledge, and ecological life, generating resilient socio-agroecological systems and expanding forms of human capability.

Drawing on twenty semi-structured interviews with women farmers, participant observation, and historical analysis of agrarian change in South India, this thesis …

Assessing Diagnostic Overshadowing For Co-Occurring Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd) And Eating Disorders (Ed), Eden Sweet

Scripps Senior Theses

Significant behavioral overlaps in feeding patterns are observed among individuals with eating disorders (EDs) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These behavioral similarities can blur diagnostic boundaries, contribute to diagnostic overshadowing, and consequently increase the risk of misdiagnosis and the implementation of ineffective treatment approaches. The proposed study addresses the risk of diagnostic overshadowing as it relates to the ambiguous distinction between autism-driven feeding behaviors and clinically significant eating disorders (ED) within the autistic population. Although the literature has acknowledged behavioral similarities between ASD and EDs, limited research has systematically examined how they impact diagnostic practices and influence the likelihood of …

Assessing Elemental Composition In Dry, Canned, And Fresh Dog Food Using Icp-Oes And Xrf Analysis, Lyla M. Johnston

Scripps Senior Theses

Pet food safety has become a concern due to recurring contamination incidents and limited federal regulation of toxic metal concentrations. This study investigates the elemental composition of 15 commercial dog and cat foods. Representing dry, canned, and fresh dog food types, using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) and portable X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis. The primary objective was to quantify concentrations of potentially harmful heavy metals (Cr, Pb, As, Hg, Cd) and assess the presence of abundant elements such as aluminum (Al), silicon (Si), and sodium (Na). All five target heavy metals were below instrument detection limits, suggesting that …

The Gut–Brain Axis And Its Role In Depression And Anxiety: A Meta-Narrative Review, Sania Dastagir, Alina Esenalieva, Thinh Quach, Haley Sutton

Research Methods Poster Session 2026

No abstract provided.

Good Food In The Neighborhood: Localizing Nutritious Food Access, Joseph Pool

Honors Program Theses

Given contemporary changes to federal budget priorities and recent challenges to federal food access funding, this research explores the potential benefits of entrusting state-level and municipal-level policymakers with food access policy. More specifically, this research suggests that “localizing” food access has the unique benefit of not just addressing the affordability of food, but the physical accessibility of it. As observed in the previous literature and expounded upon here, food provisioning requires consideration of nutrition, physical accessibility, and financial affordability. Programs that only address one of these priorities fail to adequately help people receive the food they need. Through policy analysis …

Indirect Effects Of Coral Bleaching On Tursiops Truncatus Diet And Foraging Behavior In Bocas Del Toro, Panama, Annabel Fiero

Scripps Senior Theses

Indirect effects, where another species or factor mediates the effects of a given species, are critical to ecosystem structure and resilience. Shifts in fish community structure, as a result of rapidly declining coral reefs in the Caribbean due to warming-induced bleaching, pose a threat to apex predators like Tursiops truncatus (bottlenose dolphins). Branching corals create habitat niches for numerous fish species. These fish rely on coral for food and habitat, and in turn provide food for upper trophic levels. Prior research has highlighted how coral bleaching will disrupt Acroporid reef building corals and fish community structure, but the effects of …

Appalachia In Presidential Campaign Rhetoric Since 1964, Meredith Morello

Scripps Senior Theses

This thesis examines how presidential candidates have invoked Appalachia in campaign rhetoric from Lyndon B. Johnson's 1964 election through 2024, arguing the region functions not as a geographic reference but as a strategically deployable political symbol. Through mixed-methods analysis of 83 campaign-period sources archived in the American Presidency Project, a structured thematic coding schema traces how candidates frame the region across six decades using two analytically distinct modes: objective-economic and moralized-culture framing.

Five major structural patterns emerge: Johnson's institutionalization of the region as bounded domestic poverty; strategic silence during national instability; reframings enabling rhetorical reentry; symbolic portability across ideological projects; …

Improving Maternal Health: Investigating The Early Impacts Of Medicaid Coverage Of Doulas In Oregon, Miriam Akhmetshin

Scripps Senior Theses

While the U.S. spends more per-capita than any country on healthcare, we experience the worst maternal health outcomes of high-income nations. In addition to hefty healthcare bills, an overwhelming majority of mothers experience pregnancy-related health issues that decrease productivity and utility. Thus, it is critical to research cost-effective solutions that can improve maternal health and promote equitable outcomes. Doulas are trained non-medical professionals who support mothers and families before, during and after birth. As a growing body of medical literature points to the role of doulas in decreasing costly medical interventions, insurance companies have begun covering their services. In 2014, …

Food Stamp Participation And Health Outcomes In Ca Immigrants, Esther Kang

Scripps Senior Theses

The U.S. social welfare system includes programs aiming to increase access to nutritious food to reduce nutrition insecurity. However, studies suggest that immigrants continue to face disproportionate risks of nutrition insecurity and may face barriers to enrollment due to legal status. This study, using secondary data from the 2023 California Health Interview Survey, examines the associations between food stamp participation, food insecurity, and clinical diagnosis of diabetes among adult U.S.-born, naturalized, and non-citizen adults in California. The findings suggest that those enrolled in food stamps are more likely to report food insecurity than those who are not enrolled, and that …

Empowering Stroke Survivors Through Video Education On Post-Stroke Depression, Breanna Ho, Odavie Okonda

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common complication following stroke and is associated with poor rehabilitation, reduced quality of life, increased rehospitalization, and higher mortality. PSD remains underrecognized and undertreated due to limited emotional health education during discharge planning. Objective: This quality improvement project evaluated whether video-based education improved stroke survivors’ knowledge of PSD, coping strategies, and available healthcare resources before hospital discharge. Methods: A pre-experimental one-group pretest/posttest design was implemented on the inpatient stroke units of the region’s largest Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC), where the highest level of complex stroke care is given. Adult stroke survivors preparing for discharge …

The Impact Of Pre-Primary Education, Hailey Marie Doran

Integrated Studies

Pre-primary schooling is defined as the first stage of organized instruction that introduces young children to an environment similar to school; it aims to ease the transition from home life to a school setting. Daycares and pre-primary education are not mandatory for children. This paper will discuss the impact that pre-primary education has on children’s development and future. The impacts discussed will cover multiple aspects of a child’s holistic development. Children's behavioral, cognitive, social, and emotional development as well academic success will be discussed from both a long-term and short-term perspective. The first five years of a child’s life are …

The Role Of Dental Hygienists In Preventive Care, Chloe Robinson

Integrated Studies

Preventive care is a critical component of overall health, yet oral health is often overlooked within the broader healthcare system. Dental hygienists play a vital role in addressing this gap by providing preventive services, patient education, early disease detection, and advocacy for long-term oral and systemic health. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of dental hygienists in preventive care and to explore how their responsibilities extend beyond traditional clinical tasks to include education, public health initiatives, and interprofessional collaboration. Through a review of current literature, this paper highlights the impact dental hygienists have on improving patient …