Education Commons^™

Assessing The Role Of Biology Undergraduates' Metacognitive Calibration And Neural Activity During Model-Based Reasoning, Mei Grace Behrendt

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Metacognition refers to the critical awareness of or ability to monitor, regulate, control, and sequence of one's thoughts and performance. There is limited research that examines the relationship between metacognition and (a) academic performance and (b) general cognition among undergraduates. Moreover, there is an even greater paucity of literature that focuses more specifically on undergraduate biology students’ neural activity in relation to their metacognition.

This study aimed to examine the relationship between undergraduate life sciences students' metacognitive calibration, i.e., their capacity to self-evaluate their own performance, and their behavioral performance and brain activity during a biological error reasoning task. Thirty-four …

Use Of A Novel Whole-Body Imaging Approach To Predict Resting Metabolic Rates In Athletes, Nicole Vencil

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Prediction of energy expenditure allows for calculation of appropriate energy requirements, which is especially important for athletes. Resting metabolic rate (RMR) is the greatest contributor to total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) and is typically measured via indirect calorimetry. Indirect calorimetry is not always available, which results in the need for predictive equations. Most predictive equations have been developed with participants resembling the general population and have not been found to be appropriate for athletes, as they may incorrectly predict RMR due to the unique differences of body composition between athletes and the general population. The purpose of the present study …

Oxygenation And Activation Of The Vastus Lateralis During Dynamic Constant External Resistance Leg Extension Muscle Actions In Older Women With And Without Sarcopenia, Brianna D. Mckay

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The purpose of the present study was to compare muscle strength, size, activation, and oxygenation between older women with and without sarcopenia during dynamic fatiguing leg extension bouts with high (5-repetition maximum[5-RM]) and low (30% of estimated 1-RM[30%1-RM]) loads. Eleven women (n = 6 non-sarcopenic [mean ± SE; age = 75.8 ± 2.6y] and n = 5 sarcopenic [age = 74.5 ± 3.1y]) were screened for eligibility and sarcopenic status. Descriptive assessments including demographics (age, height, and weight), body composition by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (fat mass[FM], fat-free mass[FFM] and percent body fat[BF%]), muscle size by ultrasonography (leg extensor muscle cross-sectional …

The Association Of Wellness Policy Quality And Percentage Of Obesity In Schools, Bryce M. Abbey

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Schools possess a unique opportunity to reach a large captive audience and are becoming one of the battlegrounds for childhood obesity. To address the school environment’s role on the influence of American children’s nutritional intake and participation in physical activity, the United States (US) Federal Government adopted the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, placing an emphasis on implementation of the local school wellness policy (LSW). The purpose of this study was to examine the association between LSW and percentage of obesity in school districts within Nebraska. Aggregate district-wide body mass index (BMI) percentile data were utilized from previously collected …

A Pilot Study: The Use Of A Survey To Assess The Food Knowledge Of Nutrition Students At Various Levels Of Nutrition Education, Chante Chambers

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

A working definition of a concept known as ‘food literacy’ encompasses using basic food preparation knowledge that has been learned, understood, and practiced to make better food decisions. To advance these skills for client service, a post-secondary nutrition program would need to include objectives that allow application of knowledge. For this reason, the purpose of this study was to determine the difference in knowledge and application among students in 100, 200 and 400 level college nutrition course(s). A survey was developed to measure the food knowledge of these college students as they prepare for careers as health care professionals. The …

Coaching Efficacy With Academic Leaders: A Phenomenological Investigation, Deanna Lee Vansickel-Peterson

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The purpose of this psychological phenomenological research was to understand the efficacy of life coaching from the perspective of academic leaders. To date, not one investigation or attempt has been made towards the above stated purpose. This study includes a theoretical overview and a review of the coaching literature from Socrates (469-399 BC) to current day Humanistic theory presented in part by Roger (1902-1987).

This process included data collection from five academic leaders who have been coached for at least two years. Levels of analysis of 365 statements, quote and/or comments produced finding of efficacy in life coaching with academic …

Drug Release And Its Relationship With Kinetic And Thermodynamic Parameters Of Drug Sorption Onto Polylactide, Starch Acetate, Wheat Gluten And Soy Protein Fibers, Weijie Xu

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Drug release and its relationship with kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of drug sorption onto biodegradable and biocompatible fibers made of polylactic acid (PLA), starch acetate (SA), wheat gluten (WG) and soy protein (SP) have been studied using Diclofenac, 5 Fluorouracil (5-Fu) and Metformin as drug models. To understand drug release from these four fibers using sorption, kinetic and thermodynamic parameters, such as the diffusion coefficient, activation energy for diffusion, affinity, and sorption enthalpy and entropy, have been investigated. Quantitative relationship between drug release and drug loading concentration, affinity, and activation energy for diffusion was established to predict initial bursts and …