Digital Commons Network^™

Tannin Supplementation Alters Foraging Behavior And Spatial Distribution In Beef Cattle, Bashiri Iddy Muzzo, R. Douglas Ramsey, Kelvyn Bladen, Juan J. Villalba

Wildland Resources Student Research

Beef production on chemically uniform grass monocultures can limit nutrient synchrony and contribute to uneven pasture use. We evaluated whether supplementing tannins with bioactive plant secondary compounds improves foraging dynamics and landscape use by beef cattle grazing a meadow bromegrass monoculture in ways aligned with rangeland sustainability. Twenty-four Angus cow–calf pairs were allocated to six 3.6-ha paddocks (four pairs/paddock), randomly assigned to Control (Ctrl; n = 3) or Tannin treatment (TT; n = 3). Animals received 1 kg/cow/day of DDGs, with TT receiving an added 0.4% tannins (2:1 condensed:hydrolyzable). Grazing occurred during four 15-day periods (July– September) across two years. …

Dietary Fiber Modulates Gut Microbiota And Lipid Metabolism Ameliorating Alzheimer's Pathology In 5xfad Mice, Yuhai Zhao, Christopher M. Taylor, Walter J. Lukiw, Nicolas G. Bazan

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

The gut-brain axis plays a critical role in maintaining neuronal integrity and influencing the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we investigated how commonly consumed dietary fibers modulate gut microbiota, lipid metabolism, and AD pathology in 5xFAD mice. Male mice were fed either fiber-free (FF) or fiber-plus (FP; 1% cellulose, 2% pectin, 2% inulin) diets for five months, followed by integrated analyses of gut microbiota (16 S rRNA sequencing), fecal lipid metabolites (LC-MS/MS), and neuropathological and behavioral outcomes. FP diets markedly altered microbial composition, characterized by increases in Muribaculaceae, Ileibacterium, and Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group and reductions in Faecalibaculum and Coriobacteriaceae …

Nickel Toxicity To Safflower Seed Germination And Seedling Morphoanatomy, Uğurcan Baran, Sude Tanik, Mert Can Vardar, Güray Ülger, Ahmet Aksoy

Turkish Journal of Botany

The safflowers (Carthamus tinctorius L. cv Olas) grown hydroponically under nickel (Ni) stress were examined in this study. T he effects of 0, 0.75, 1, 3, 5, 10, and 15 mM Ni on seed germination rate, protein, and pigment content of germinating seeds were investigated. Also, the toxicity of 0.75 mM Ni on plant growth, malondialdehyde (MDA) amount, and anatomy of 21-day-old safflower seedlings were studied. Ni adversely affected the germination rate, radicle length, protein, and pigment content of safflower seeds, particularly when higher than 3 mM. It also negatively affected the biomass production, plant length, leaf number, and MDA …

Enhancing Community Health Workers' Knowledge On Childhood Tuberculosis Screening In Nigeria, Rashidat A. Jolaoluwa

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Tuberculosis (TB) poses a significant global health challenge, especially in developing countries like Nigeria, where it disproportionately affects children. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) study seeks to enhance the knowledge of Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Community Health Extension Worker Students (CHEWs) in screening for childhood TB. Given the urgent need for early detection and intervention, the research focused on equipping CHWs and CHEWs with targeted educational resources. A pretest/posttest design was employed to evaluate changes in knowledge related to childhood TB screening among the participants. Statistical data analysis was conducted to assess improvements and ensure the reliability of …

Exploring Recruitment Strategies For Place-Based Research In Rural Areas Of Australia: A Comparative Case Study Analysis, Tracy L. Schumacher, Anna K. Jansson, Lucy Kocanda, Jennifer May Phd, Rn, Anp-Bc, Leanne J. Brown, Clare E. Collins

Publications

BACKGROUND: Recruitment of participants into research studies is commonly challenging and becomes more difficult when targeting underrepresented population groups. Recruiting individuals living in rural locations, must use appropriate strategies if the sample size is to be achieved. The aim of this case study was to explore factors associated with research capacity, and to determine their impact on recruitment strategies, including timeframe and participant recruitment outcomes.

METHODS: This case study investigated the recruitment outcomes of four rurally based research projects performed between 2016-2024. Participants were enrolled either directly by the researchers (face-to-face method [f2f]), or through General Practitioners as trusted local …

Transform The Work Environment & Psychological Distress In Nurses: Sustain Health Promotion Behaviors, Hephzibah Sophie Edwin

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Background: The healthcare work environment poses numerous stressors contributing to distress¹, and poor health outcomes in nurses^4,5. A critical nursing shortage exists, and it is crucial to explore the work environment, leading to distress symptoms. Coping strategies using health promotion behaviors are essential to restore nurses' health³, which has not been explored well.

Purpose: Examine the work environment - workload and the association with psychological distress, sleep disturbance, and health promotion behaviors in nurses, using a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach guided by the job demands-resources framework.

Methods: The Nurse Worklife and Wellness Study …

Faculty Senate Agenda December 1, 2025, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• 3:00 Call to Order
• Approval of Minutes - November 3, 2025
• 3:05 University Business
• 3:20 Faculty Senate Business
• 3:30 Information
• EPC Report - November 6, 2025
• 3:45 Report
• Honors Program Annual Report
• USUSA Annual Report
• Faculty Evaluation Committee
• Academic Freedom and Tenure
• 4:10 Old Business
• 4:15 New Business
• Faculty Forum
• Adjourn: 4:30 pm

Experiences Of First-Generation College Students Engaging In Online Learning Amid A Global Pandemic, Anthony Capers Jr

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The global pandemic, COVID-19, had an impact on the academic experiences of all college students. First-generation college students who often experience special challenges in adjusting to academia may have faced additional challenges given the transition to online learning. However, there has been little research focused on the impact of COVID on their adjustment to college. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of an unanticipated learning transition among first-generation college students pursuing higher education at a 4-year school, during a global pandemic. The theoretical framework for this study was based on an interactionalist theory focused on the …

Comparison Of Gluteus Medius Muscle Activation In Women With And Without Patellofemoral Pain, Michelle N. Samuel, Szu-Ping Lee, Andrew Hooyman, Kevin C. Miller, Daniel L. Young, Neal R. Glaviano

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Context: Women with patellofemoral pain (PFP) commonly have hip muscle weakness in comparison with women without PFP. One underlying mechanism for this muscle weakness is inhibition. Although the presence of muscle weakness is well documented in women with PFP, few authors have investigated gluteus medius inhibition in this population. Women are twice as likely to suffer from PFP when compared with men; therefore, we focused on the female population.

Objective: To compare voluntary activation of the gluteus medius between women with and without PFP.

Design: Case-control study.

Setting: Laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants: Twenty-eight female …

The Effects Of Montelukast Sodium On Some Biological And Biochemical Aspects, Dna Damage In Drosophila Melanogaster Adults, Ci̇hat Çeli̇k

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Montelukast sodium (MS) is a leukotriene receptor antagonist and used clinically as an antiasthma agent. MS has been hypothesized to have adverse effects in insects. To test this hypothesis, MS was added to the artificial diet of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster Meigen (Diptera: Drosophilidae) at different concentrations (1200, 1600, 2000, and 2400 mg/L) under laboratory conditions. The effects of MS on the survival rate and development time of D. melanogaster, as well as its effects on malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (CYP450) enzyme activity in adults were investigated. The genotoxic effect of MS in whole adults was …

Three Translations, Soledad S. Reyes

Perspectives in the Arts and Humanities Asia

No abstract provided.

Access To Healthy And Nutritious Food In Utah: Results From The 2024 Utah Wellbeing Survey, Heather H. Kelley, Palak Gupta, Courtney G. Flint

All Current Publications

Every Utahn, regardless of income, ZIP code, race, age, or health status, deserves reliable access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally meaningful food. Yet, too many communities across the state face persistent barriers that limit their ability to eat well and live healthy lives. This fact sheet reviews results of a 2024 Utah State University (USU) Extension needs assessment that identified food and nutrition security as a high-priority issue in Utah. It explores the current landscape, identifies key challenges, and outlines strategic opportunities for USU Extension and its partners to enhance food security statewide.

Preserve The Harvest: Canning Goat Meat At Home, Callie Adams, Andrea Schmutz

All Current Publications

Due to its lean composition and nutritional profile similar to those of other tested meats, goat is well-suited for pressure canning. Follow USDA and Utah State University (USU) Extension altitude guidelines. This fact sheet provides guidelines for selecting high-quality meat, using proper equipment, and adhering to tested methods. Home canners can safely preserve goat meat and enjoy its benefits year-round.

Assessment And Management Of Albuminuria In Adults, Sophie E. Claudel, Debasish Kar, Azeem Majeed, Pamela S. Burgwinkle, Ashish Verma

Peninsula Medical School

No abstract provided.

Gc-0270 Oncoboost - Hydration Monitoring Application, Blossom Madubike, Aafra Alam, Damola Ojo

C-Day Computing Showcase

Dehydration is a common and preventable complication for oncology patients, especially those undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. Side effects such as nausea, fatigue, and loss of appetite make it difficult for patients to maintain adequate fluid intake, contributing to avoidable discomfort and potential treatment disruptions. This capstone project presents Onco-Boost, a mobile hydration monitoring application designed to help adult oncology patients track daily fluid intake, recognize their intake patterns, and stay engaged in daily self-care between clinic visits. Built with React Native and Expo, and backed by Firebase for authentication and cloud data storage. Onco-Boost translates clinical hydration guidance and research …

Mobile Computer Vision Application For Agricultural Disease Detection Of Pepper Diseases Using Two-Stage Deep Learning System, Carlos Jose Estevez, Mai Dang, Ryan Bass

SMU Data Science Review

Plant diseases pose a significant threat to food security, particularly in developing countries where farmers often lack the resources and infrastructure for early detection. In nations like Mexico and the Dominican Republic, the spread of harmful plant diseases impacts key agricultural commodities, such as habanero peppers, leading to substantial yield losses. This study presents a computer vision system based on Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and an object detection model (YOLO) to help farmers detect pepper diseases efficiently. The system uses a two-stage approach: YOLOv11n first detects pepper leaves in images, then a lightweight MobileNetV3Small model classifies whether the detected leaves …

Analyzing The Global Happiness Index, Victoria Hernandez, Christy W. Wachira

SMU Data Science Review

This study explores the Global Happiness Index using data compiled from the OECD and Our World in Data to identify key factors contributing to societal well-being. Six primary predictors were analyzed: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and perceptions of corruption. Regression and clustering techniques were employed to uncover patterns among countries. By expanding the analytical scope beyond conventional economic and social indicators, this study helps identify new pathways for improving well-being across diverse cultural and economic landscapes. Additional variables such as perceived safety, political engagement, and values related to family and …

Munch N’ Learn: Building Competence And Confidence In Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurses, Shareta N. Jackson, Jaime N. Gebhard

2025

INNOVATION & LEADERSHIP

Background: As clinical nurse educators, we have observed a significant gap in continuing education opportunities for experienced nurses, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lifelong learning is essential for enhancing personal development and professional responsibility, enabling nurses to stay updated with evolving medical practices and improve patient care. The COVID-19 pandemic shifted nursing education priorities toward onboarding new hires and graduate nurses, leaving experienced nurses with limited continuing education opportunities. This gap has created a need for educational programs that cater specifically to the needs of seasoned nurses, helping them stay current with evolving …

Importance Of Expressed Breast Milk Verification And Patient Identification, Deb Lathrop

2025

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

Background: Due to changes in Texas reimbursement, the Plano campus was transferring neonates, infants under 28 days of life, to the Dallas campus. It was decided in 2023 to obtain a neonatal designation for the Plano campus. A Program Manager was hired as part of the requirements and a quality and Patient Safety committee was formed. As part of the program, quality data collection was required. As a Level I designated facility, expressed breastmilk verification was one of the required data sets to be collected. It was discovered that staff at the Plano campus were not scanning …

Barriers And Facilitators To Lifestyle Behavior Change And Goal Setting In Adolescents With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome., Manasa Gadiraju, Joy Y. Kim, Erin M. Green, Alexandra Macmillan Uribe, Honghui Chang, Tania S. Burgert, Melissa D. Olfert, Heidi Vanden Brink

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

PURPOSE: To identify barriers and facilitators to lifestyle modifications and goal setting and characterize goal setting for adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHODS: Retrospective chart review of registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) nutrition notes from 118 adolescents with PCOS 11-21 years evaluated at a multi-specialty PCOS clinic. Goals, barriers, and facilitators were coded using open coding and a priori objectives and characterized for emerging themes using qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS: Five major themes of barriers and facilitators to behavior change emerged: interest and motivation, family involvement, resources and food environment, taste preferences, and self-efficacy. RDNs set ≥3 goals with 52%, …

Investigating The Mechanisms Of Microbial Interactions Using A Model Cystic Fibrosis Polymicrobial Community, Bassam El Hafi

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Cystic fibrosis (CF) airway microbial communities are complex ecosystems where interspecies interactions influence pathogen survival and disease progression. We leverage a CF-relevant in vitro four-species model composed of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus sanguinis, and Prevotella melaninogenica, alongside a microbiome dataset with over 4,000 respiratory samples from publicly available sequencing data of CF patient samples, to explore the dynamics of microbial interactions in CF. On a broader scale, we performed microbial network analysis to examine how the latest modulator therapy, elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI), might influence CF microbial communities. Our analysis revealed a reduction in node connections and …

The National Landscape On Wellness Culture And Well-Being Best Practices In Healthcare Systems And Academic Institutions: Results From The Fourth National Summit On Promoting Clinician Well-Being, Megan Amaya, Bernadette Mazurek-Melnyk, Josh Winn, Jeff Messinger

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: The health of our nation’s healthcare workforce continues to decline. A comprehensive, whole-system, evidence-based approach is key to a successful wellness initiative and is the foundation for culture change. Building a culture of wellness leads to better mental health outcomes, healthier lifestyle behaviors, higher levels of engagement and job satisfaction, improved patient satisfaction and employee retention, and a positive return (ROI) and value on investment (VOI).

Methods: The purpose of this cross-sectional, descriptive, anonymous survey was to assess the organizational wellness culture of participants who attended the National Summit on Promoting Well-being and Resilience in Healthcare Professionals. …

Stiefel Md Anderson Oropharynx Cancer (Mda-Opc) Cohort: A Single-Institution, Prospective Longitudinal Outcomes Study, Amy Moreno, Ariana J Sahli, Faye Johnson, Xiaowen Sun, Carly Barbon, Waree Rinsurongkawong, Wenye Song, Flavie M Luciani, Han Liang, Jun Li, Wei Liu, J Jack Lee, S J Frank, Stephen Lai, Clifton Fuller, Katherine Hutcheson

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: The MD Anderson Oropharynx Cancer (MDA-OPC) cohort is a unique single-institution, prospective longitudinal cancer cohort. The cohort aims to enhance the therapeutic index of OPC management by supporting data needs for independent investigators to conduct rigorous observational studies examining exposures and factors associated with acute and late toxicities, cancer progression, recurrence, new malignancies and quality of life in OPC survivors.

Participants: A total of 1811 patients with OPC with a minimum follow-up of 6 months have been consented to our prospective registry between 18 March 2015 and 29 December 2023. Clinical and treatment (Tx) data are available on all …

Mycobacterium Chelonae Outbreak Investigation At A Quaternary Pediatric Hospital Following The Opening Of A Leed-Certified Critical Care Tower: Where Does Water Sustainability Intersect With Infection Control?, Andrea L Ankrum, Silvia M Caceres, Michael Torsell, Elaine Epperson, Vinicius Calado Nogueira De Moura, Jennifer J Gilick, Michael Strong, Qingyun Liu, Matthew J Strand, Rachel N Wilsey, Jennifer R Honda, Jane E Gross, Felicia A Scaggs-Huang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: Investigate the increased incidence of Mycobacterium chelonae positive respiratory cultures in hospitalized patients.

Design: Apply the Healthcare-Associated Links in Transmission of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (HALT NTM) toolkit to an outbreak investigation of M. chelonae.

Setting: Quaternary-care pediatric hospital and medical center in the United States with a recently opened LEED-certified critical care tower.

Patients: Adult and pediatric patients with M. chelonae positive respiratory cultures between June 2022 and January 2024.

Methods: An epidemiological investigation involving clinical and laboratory practices, water management, building construction and renovation projects. Environmental sampling of air vents, water sources and endoscope reprocessing equipment was performed. M. …

Bladder Prolapse (Cystocele) Among African, Asian, And Middle Eastern Women: A Clinical And Socio-Cultural Perspective, Gayathri Delanerolle, Vindya Pathiraja, Tharanga Mudalige, Nirmala Rathnayake, Abirame Sivakumar, Wijamunige Nimesha Prashadini, Nihal Mohamed Al Riyami, Lamiya Al-Kharusi, Mohammad Haddadi, Fred Tweneboah-Koduah, Om Kurmi, George Uchenna Eleje, Peter Phiri, Lauri Romanzi, Sohier Elneil

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

Bladder prolapse, also known as cystocoele, is the most common form of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), significantly affecting women's physical, sexual, and psychosocial health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite its widespread prevalence and disabling consequences, bladder prolapse remains under-recognised and inadequately addressed in global health strategies. Prevalence estimates vary widely across regions, from 3%-64.6%, influenced by diagnostic methods and cultural reporting biases. Common risk factors include high parity, early childbirth, prolonged labour, poor postpartum care, malnutrition, obesity, and ageing. Clinical diagnosis often relies on simplified grading systems in resource-limited settings. Conservative treatments like pelvic floor muscle training …

Sustained Cellular Survival Amid Amyloid Beta (Aβ) Burden, Giselle Shim

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), persisting in the brain for years. Despite its neurotoxic potential, widespread neuronal death is not consistently observed. Histopathological analysis indicates that most neurons remain viable, suggesting an altered survival state under chronic Aβ burden. This study integrates clinical, imaging, and in vitro evidence to characterize this non-lethal state. FDG-PET imaging reveals reduced glucose metabolism. In vitro, Aβ exposure leads to decreased uptake of glucose and amino acids. Reductions in ATP levels and AMPK activity indicate impaired metabolic regulation. Despite these metabolic disruptions, cell death is not observed, implying a …

Forage Mass And Botanical Composition Of Four Annual Forages Grown In A Loblolly Pine Silvopasture In The Mid-South Usa, Christine C. Nieman, Dirk Philipp, Jonathan O.C. Kubesch

Animal Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Annual forages are commonly planted in open pasture in the Mid-South, but there is little information on the productivity of these forages when incorporated into silvopasture. The objective was to evaluate four annual forages adapted to the Mid-South, namely, arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum Savi), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), tetraploid annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.), and diploid annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.), in a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) silvopasture for seasonal forage mass distribution and annual forage accumulation. The forages were tested in a randomized complete block design with three replicates and three harvests per year: Harvest 1 (H1, …

Addressing Health-Related Social Needs With Innovative Healthcare Spending, Kelly Naranjo Ms Ccrc, Eric Rochman Mph, Allyson Schiff Ba, Dorella Walters Mpa, Andrea Zaldivar Ed.D, Ms, Anp

Journal of Law and Health

Key objectives: To address the social determinants of health domains "social and community context" and "neighborhood and built environment" via Medically Tailored Meals, a nutrition intervention that includes home delivery, medical nutrition therapy and education, and frozen medically tailored meals provided by the non-profit partner. This intervention targeted Medicaid members exhibiting high healthcare utilization in conjunction with each individual's risk of developing higher morbidity and mortality of existing disease due to co-existing food and nutrition insecurity. The populations served include people living with Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension, Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer, HIV/AIDS, and End-Stage Renal Disease, among other conditions, whose burden …

Madagascar's Urban Lemur Meat Trade, Cortni Borgerson, Be Noel Razafindrapaoly, Be Jean Rodolph Rasolofoniaina

Department of Anthropology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

As the world's most endangered mammals, lemurs are key to understanding how humans and wildlife can sustainably coexist. We present the first national assessment of the urban lemur meat trade. We interviewed 2600 participants across 17 cities to determine its scale, target species, distribution, and drivers. We reveal a considerable trade, with thousands of threatened lemurs sold annually. This trade is largely hidden, with 95% of sales occurring directly between suppliers and a trusted clientele, and targets some of the nation's most endangered species, often during critical breeding seasons. While entrepreneurial peri-urban suppliers are lured by a dependable economic opportunity, …

From Convenience To Consequence The Health Risks Of Eating Ultraprocessed Food, Eve Snyder

Osmosis Magazine

Understanding Ultraprocessed Foods and Their Effects on the Body What happens to the body when it's deprived of vital nutrients from fiber and protein, and pumped full of excessive sugar, fats, and salt? This situation can happen by eating ultraprocessed foods. Ultraprocessed foods are made with processes you wouldn't normally perform in a home kitchen, with ingredients that have little, if any, nutritional value. Pumped with additives to enhance color and taste, ultraprocessed foods may look appealing, but they can have harmful, longterm health risks (Monteiro et al., 2019).