Digital Commons Network^™

Plant Vs. Animal Protein: Effect On Recovery, Performance, And Long-Term Health, Claudia Stachura

Honors Theses

Protein plays a fundamental role in muscle repair, growth, and athletic performance, which has led to increased interest in how different protein sources compare, particularly as plant-based diets become more common among athletes and physically active individuals. The debate surrounding plant-based versus animal-based protein sources primarily focuses on differences in protein quality, amino acid composition, digestibility, and potential long-term health implications. This paper examines current evidence comparing the effectiveness of plant and animal protein sources in supporting muscle protein synthesis (MPS), resistance training adaptations, recovery, and performance, while also considering broader health and environmental outcomes.

Protein supports muscle growth by …

December 5, 2025 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

A Mouse Model Of Lipoatrophy Reveals Relationships Between Beige Fat Appearance And Female Fertility, Elizabeth S Anaya, William Dion, Pradip K Saha, Aaron R Cox, Evelyn De Groot, Avery A Ahmed, Jessica B Felix, Bokai Zhu, Stephanie A Pangas, Sean M Hartig

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

White adipose tissue (WAT) performs vital metabolic and endocrine functions, but roles in female reproduction remain understudied and poorly understood. Here, we report that female mice experiencing progressive lipoatrophy after knockout of Ubc9 in adipocytes (Ubc9fKO) displayed disrupted estrous cycles, reduced ovarian reserve, and subfertility. During aging, female Ubc9fKO mice lose subcutaneous WAT more quickly than their male counterparts and weigh less than littermate controls. Subcutaneous WAT excised from female Ubc9fKO mice strongly enriched for thermogenesis genes generally associated with metabolic benefits. Female Ubc9fKO mice exhibited hypermetabolism and accumulated thermogenic, Uncoupling Protein 1-expressing beige fat cells in residual subcutaneous WAT …

Cnss Represent And Respond To Decrease Risk Of Clostridioides Difficile Infection, Karin Cooney-Newton, Jeanne Thompson

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to find commonalities of the Clostridioides difficile (C-diff) population within a hospital system, and plan interventions to decrease Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) risk. Data from hospital and community acquired C-diff patients was extracted to identify trends that potentially increased the risk for C-diff infection.

Methods: This project took place within a 423 bed community teaching hospital that encompasses 2 campuses. A retrospective chart review was conducted of C-diff confirmed patients. Data was gathered from June 1, 2022 through July 31, 2023, which produced a sample size of N=71. Inclusion criteria consisted of both …

Inhibitory Control, Attentional Bias, And Palatable Food Consumption In Adolescents: A Laboratory Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial., Carolina M. Bejarano, Adrian Ortega, Christopher C. Cushing

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Understanding relationships among inhibitory control, attentional bias to food cues, and food consumption in nonclinical adolescent samples can inform preventive efforts for disordered eating and associated health risks.

OBJECTIVE: This pilot study conducted preliminary testing of an inhibitory control training intervention on attentional bias toward food cues, hedonic appetite, and food consumption, as well as examined inhibitory control's relationship with hedonic appetite, food consumption, binge eating, and cognitive restraint.

METHODS: Participants (N=43; mean age 15.1, SD 1.7 years; 31/43, 72% female) were randomized to a food cue-specific go/no go inhibitory control training intervention or control group, took part in …

Moderators Of A Mhealth Intervention For Adolescent Physical Activity: Intervention Refinement Study., Christopher C. Cushing, Adrian Ortega, David A. Fedele, Calissa J. Leslie-Miller, Jordan A. Carlson, Ann M. Davis, Joshua M. Smyth

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: An adaptive text messaging intervention to promote adolescent physical activity has demonstrated feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy in a recent proof-of-concept study. To inform future intervention development, a secondary analysis of the data examined how physical activity is influenced by mood, environment, and physical feelings of energy and fatigue.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to understand how both macro- and microtemporal variables (eg, psychological and environmental variables at both levels) influence the efficacy of a brief mobile health intervention (ie, NUDGE) for physical activity.

METHODS: Using a matched control design, we evaluated the effect of daily positive and negative affect, …

U-Glide Program Fall 2025, Unf Office Of Undergraduate Research, Unf Graduate School

Undergraduate – Graduate Learning, Inquiry, and Distinctive Experimentation (U-GLIDE) Symposium Programs

No abstract provided.

Addressing Malnutrition In Togo: A Community Nursing Initiative For Sustainable Health Outcomes, Estevao Frederico De Souza, Tricia M. Grinder

Biennial Convention (CONV)

This community nursing project was developed as part of an international clinical initiative in partnership with global organizations in Togo. Findings from assessment tools and research identified malnutrition as a critical issue among children, significantly contributing to high childhood mortality rates. The World Food Programme (2022) reported that 24% of Togolese children suffer from chronic malnutrition, and the Global Hunger Index ranked Togo 92nd out of 120 countries (Global Nutrition Report, n.d.).

The Togo nursing initiative addressed malnutrition through three levels of intervention: education, screening, and treatment. At the primary intervention level, nursing education aimed to raise awareness about nutrition …

Unveiling The Genomic Blueprint Of Two Pantoea Agglomerans Phages: Lia And Yaegar As Emerging Members Of The Chaseviridae Family, Leslie M. Ewool

Theses and Dissertations

Bacteriophages represent an essential component of microbial ecosystems and a promising resource for biocontrol. This study presents a comprehensive comparative genomic and evolutionary characterization of two novel bacteriophages that infect Pantoea agglomerans, Lia and Yaegar, belonging to the Loessnervirus genus within the Chaseviridae family. Both Lia and Yaegar possess double-stranded DNA genomes of approximately 54 kb with 44.4% GC content and 82 predicted open reading frames (ORFs). Functional annotation revealed distinct modules for replication, structural assembly, and lysis, but no genes associated with lysogeny, antibiotic resistance, or virulence. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) analysis indicated over 96% similarity between Lia, Yaegar, …

Behçet's Disease Unraveled: Insights Into Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, And Management, Mansour Alghamdi, Stephen Lindsey

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Behçet's disease is a rare and recurrent multisystem inflammatory disorder, primarily distinguished by systemic vasculitis that affects veins and arteries of various sizes. Clinically, Behçet's disease is characterized by the presence of recurrent oral and genital ulcers, skin lesions, and uveitis. The prevalence of this condition is significantly elevated along the historical Silk Road, particularly in Turkey; however, epidemiological data indicate variations across different regions and ethnic groups. The diagnosis of Behçet's disease is typically established during the third decade of life, with a more severe prognosis noted when the onset occurs before the age of 25. This review aims …

Effect Of Various Lactobacillus Probiotic Strains On Oral Antihypertensive Drug Response: A Systematic Review, Khoirunnisa Ramadhani, Keri Lestari

Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy Research

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and the effectiveness of antihypertensive therapy can be influenced by metabolic and systemic inflammatory factors associated with gut microbiota conditions. Probiotic strains from the genus Lactobacillus have been reported to modulate antihypertensive effects through complex biological mechanisms. This article evaluates experimental evidence from seven in vivo studies on the influence of Lactobacillus strains on the response to antihypertensive drugs, including pharmacodynamic mechanisms and drug–probiotic interactions. The combination of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum with amlodipine enhanced nitric oxide production, increased eNOS expression, reduced IL-6 levels, and improved drug bioavailability, leading to greater blood pressure …

Chemical Profile Of Earthworm Flour With Kasgot Media Enriched With Cow Blood And Date Pulp, Ikrima Ahdavia, Imra Atun Helmi, Hidayati Nufus, Muhammad Farid, Ahmad Sjahriza

Chimica et Natura Acta

Fish meal is used as an ideal protein source for feed with a high level of digestibility but its limited and costly. This study explores earthworm flour as an alternative protein source, cultivated in kasgot (maggot residue) media enriched with organic waste. The novelty of this research lies in using maggot residue as the living medium for earthworms, enhancing the nutritional value of the earthworm flour, making it more beneficial and suitable as an additive protein feed ingredient. The kasgot medium was formulated by mixing boiled cow blood with date pulp fermented with EM4 probiotics in three different ratios: 2:1 …

The Role Of The Nursing Associate In Supporting Wholefood Plant-Based Education In General Practice, Sarah Harries

South West Clinical School Journal

#400WORDS: NATIONAL NURSING ASSOCIATE SPECIAL EDITION

The Role Of The Nursing Associate In Supporting Wholefood Plant-Based Education In General Practice, Sarah Harries

South West Clinical School Journal

#400WORDS: NATIONAL NURSING ASSOCIATE SPECIAL EDITION

The Social Side Of Aging In Place: Community, Belonging, And Cultural Fit, Michael Crespo

University Honors Theses

Aging in place, or the capacity of older adults to remain in their homes and communities as they age has been a central tenet of the field of gerontology and the gerontological social policy area. Although access to physical facilities and service provision has been the main focus of traditional studies, contemporary experience demonstrates that social and cultural issues are equally important as determinants of the quality of life. This thesis discusses the influence of social networks, cultural congruence, and community belonging on the aging in place experience. The content of the study is based on the Ecological Model of …

The Role Of Sustainability In Family And Consumer Science Curricula, Emily Hill

Honors Theses

As climate change intensifies and global food systems face growing environmental pressures, there is an increasing need to prepare younger generations to respond to these challenges. Sustainability education is increasingly recognized as essential for helping students understand the connection between human actions, environmental resilience, and their overall well-being. This form of education already has a foundation in the Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) curriculum. This study examines the effects of integrating sustainability lessons into secondary Family and Consumer Sciences food and nutrition courses in a rural Michigan high school. It was hypothesized that if students participate in sustainability presentations and …

Educational Policies Committee Minutes December 4, 2025, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

• Approval of Minutes - November 6, 2025
• Subcommittee Reports
• Curriculum Subcommittee
• Program Proposals
• Academic Standards Subcommittee
• General Education Subcommittee
• Center for Civic Excellence
• Other Business
• Adjourn: 3:25 pm

Curriculum Subcommittee Agenda December 4, 2025, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

• Approval of Minutes - November 6, 2025
• R401 - Program Proposals
• Other Business
• Catalog Updates
• CIP Codes
• Adjourn 3:00 pm

Educational Policies Committee Agenda December 4, 2025, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

• Approval of Minutes - November 6, 2025
• Subcommittee Reports
• Other Business
• Adjourn: 4:00 pm

Faculty Senate Chronicle December 4, 2025, Lisa Appeldorn

The University of Akron Faculty Senate Chronicle

Minutes for the regular meeting of The University of Akron Faculty Senate on 12/04/2025.

Evaluating The Risk And Etiological Factors Of Relative Energy Deficiency In Sport (Red-S) In Collegiate Female Wrestlers, Cari Barrett

Doctorate in Kinesiology

Becoming a collegiate athlete requires physical, mental, and emotional preparation through sport-specific training and nutritional strategies, which are critical for peak performance. However, many female athletes, particularly those in weight-sensitive sports, struggle to meet energy needs, increasing the risk of low energy availability (LEA) and relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S). This study examined RED-S risk and its etiological factors among female collegiate wrestlers at two time points: preseason and in-season. Fifteen female collegiate wrestlers from a local university completed self-reported questionnaires and anthropometric assessments during both phases. The Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q) assessed physiological symptoms of …

Universal School Meal Policies And Perceived Stigma: Quantitative Evidence From Eight Us States, Dania Orta-Aleman, Monica D. Zuercher, Leah Chapman, Marlene B. Schwartz, Caitlin D. French, Anisha I. Patel, Lorrene D. Ritchie, Juliana Cohen, Wendi Gosliner

Health Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Universal school meals (USMs) policies, which provide free meals to all students regardless of income, have the potential to improve child nutrition and reduce stigma. Quantitative evidence on the association between USM and stigma is limited.

Methods

Leveraging a natural policy variation in state‐level USM implementation, we surveyed 1066 middle and high school students from eight US states (four with USM, four without) during the 2022–2023 school year. Stigma was measured as self‐reported embarrassment about eating school lunch. We used generalized estimating equations to examine the associations between USM, embarrassment, and lunch participation.

Results

Overall about one in nine …

The State Of Health In Tennessee, 2025 Annual Report To The 114th Tennessee General Assembly, Tennessee. Department Of Health.

State of Health in Tennessee

No abstract provided.

Montana Kaimin, December 4, 2025, Students Of The University Of Montana, Missoula

Montana Kaimin, 1898-present

Student newspaper of the University of Montana, Missoula.

The Effect Of Community-Based Exercise For Individuals With Pre-Existing Health Conditions, Amy M. Stahl

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Physical inactivity is a growing problem for the health and wellbeing of the world’s population. Increases in physical activity may help to improve health outcomes for the general population of the United States. This study is two-fold and seeks to determine if community-based exercise groups are successful in improving the health of people with preexisting conditions and encouraging community members to adhere to an exercise program. A quasi-experimental 12-week comparison study consists of a control group of standard care and an intervention group that participates in a three-day a week community walking group. The purpose of the group is to …

Healthcare Disparities Related To Income In South Carolina, Rebekka Byrd

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Low-income individuals and families in South Carolina face significant barriers to accessing healthcare, despite the presence of public health programs like Medicaid. Many fall into the healthcare coverage gap, earning too much to qualify for Medicaid but too little to afford private insurance. This study explored the consequences of the healthcare coverage gap by examining the relationships between income, healthcare access, and the ability to afford healthcare services among 500 adults aged 19–64 who participated in the National Health Interview Survey between 2018 and 2023. Utilizing a retrospective quantitative analysis of secondary data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) …

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: The Relationship Between Diet, Anxiety, And Depression And The Moderating Effect Of Cbt, Deborah J. Wright

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined how cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques including cognitive restructuring and positive affirmations affect the relationship between dietary patterns and depression and anxiety symptoms. Research has established that CBT and diet affect depression and anxiety independently, but less research examines their collective impact. The study included 154 adult participants who filled out the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 alongside a Dietary Habits Checklist and a CBT Engagement Checklist during the previous two weeks. The results from multiple linear regressions showed no statistically significant moderation effects of CBT engagement on the relationship between diet and depression …

Capacity Building For Mental Health Of Older Persons: A Participatory Action Research, Theresa Aragones Guino-O, Zorinna Macahis Luague, Uenavil Anne Empaces Junio, Evalyn Elardo Abalos

Biennial Convention (CONV)

There is a projected increase in the older population worldwide by 2050. This creates disconcerting implications in Philippine society, where a trend of elderly persons living alone and with minimal resources to meet their health maintenance and treatment needs is observed. These important concerns relate to mental health and need to be addressed through research-based interventions that are effective and sustainable. The aim of the study was to assess, implement, and evaluate socially and culturally acceptable interventions for the mental health of older persons together with the participants residing in Barangay Calindagan, Dumaguete City, Philippines. Participatory action research was chosen …

Challenges And Difficulties Faced By Children With Special Healthcare Needs And Their Caregivers, Julia Dankanich

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) and children with medical complexity (CMC) encompass a broad spectrum of children with varying medical conditions and health care needs. They use a greater number of resources due to their higher level of specialty care visits, greater emergency department use, and higher rate of hospitalizations compared to children without special health care needs. The purpose of this literature review is to identify the caregivers of CYSHCN and CMC experiences and difficulties related to caring for their high-needs children. A literature search was conducted using the keywords children and youth with special …

The Effects Of Music Participation On Sense Of Belonging Among Elementary Students With Traumatic Experiences, Jamie Lynn Mckoy Hill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The unexpressed perspectives of children have long been dismissed in elementary music education. Daily agendas, curriculum, and administrative expectations direct the day-to-day functions of the classroom and negate the instructor’s assessment of students’ needs. As a result, students who have experienced trauma (various forms) will feel disconnected from the classroom and have a low level of engagement. Music educators must adapt their planning and execution and infuse empathy and flexibility in their teaching to allow all children room to grieve previous traumatic experiences. This historical research investigates the student perspectives on what music participation means effects on elementary students’ sense …