Nutrition Commons^™

Patch Mow Grazing: Investigating The Effects Of Mowing On Forage Nutritive Value, The Biomass–Nutritive Value Relationship, And Herbivore Selection, Trace R. Stauble

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Herbivore foraging behavior plays a critical role in shaping grassland structural heterogeneity, with selection often driven by forage biomass and nutritive value. Currently, it is thought that herbivores primarily select areas that are greater in nutritive value, and low in biomass. More specifically, disturbances like fire and grazing have been thoroughly studied showing that recently burned and grazed areas are not only higher in nutritive value but disproportionately selected by herbivores in comparison to undisturbed areas. However, most studies address only narrow ranges of defoliation, comparing intensely defoliated sites (< 10 cm) to those that are either not defoliated or have experienced a much longer time since defoliation, thereby decreasing grazing pressure as biomass increases. However, one of the most widely used methods of defoliation in grasslands, mowing, hasn’t been thoroughly studied for its effects on nutritive value, and how it impacts herbivore selection. Our study aimed to (1) evaluate how mowing treatments—i.e., short (5 cm), medium (18 cm), and tall (>30 cm, unmown)—affect nutritive value and herbivore selection, (2) assess …

Development Of Databases For Glycan Utilization And Anti-Prokaryotic Defense In Microbiomes, Yuchen Yan

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Microbiomes in humans, animals, plants, and other environments are necessary components of the biosphere for global nutrient cycling and maintaining ecosystem balance. In particular, the gut microbiome plays an essential role in modulating human health through glycan utilization. Carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), CAZyme gene clusters (CGCs), and polysaccharide utilization loci (PULs) are key genomic features that determine microbial capacities for carbohydrate metabolism. Meanwhile, the arms race between phages and prokaryotes has led to the evolution of various anti-prokaryotic immune systems (APIS) in phages to counteract prokaryotic immune systems (PIS).

As bioinformatics methods used to analyze microbiome information advance rapidly, there is …

The Role Of Peroxisomal Acot4 And Acot8 In Modulating Lipid Metabolism And Stress Pathways In Steatotic Hepatocytes, Sylwia Miekus

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is characterized by excessive lipid accumulation in hepatocytes and the development of lipotoxic stress that disrupts cellular homeostasis. Peroxisomal lipid metabolism plays an important role in maintaining acyl-CoA balance during fatty acid overload, yet the contribution of peroxisomal acyl-CoA thioesterases to early lipotoxic responses remains insufficiently understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the functional involvement of the peroxisomal enzymes acyl-CoA thioesterase 4 (ACOT4) and acyl-CoA thioesterase 8 (ACOT8) in hepatocyte lipid handling under acute lipotoxic conditions. An in vitro model of steatosis was established in AML12 cells through exposure to a …

The Effects Of Lactoferrin And Iron-Enriched Whey On Iron Status Of Collegiate Females, Connor Kemp

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Iron deficiency has remained a global issue even in developed countries despite food fortification and increased nutritional literacy, biological women of child baring age are at particular risk due to menstruation and reduced dietary intake of iron containing foods compared to men. This issue is of particular concern in athletics due to the critical role of iron in oxygen transport and energy metabolism. With nearly half of female athletes presenting low iron status iron supplementation is often necessary. With iron supplementation often resulting in gastrointestinal symptoms that could negatively impact sport performance itself there is a need to explore other …

Sleep-Disordered Breathing Subtypes And Future Diet Quality In The Multi-Ethnic Study Of Atherosclerosis, Kaitlin S Potts, Cecilia Castro-Diehl, Tianyi Huang, Alexis C Wood, Jerome I Rotter, Stephen S Rich, Tamar Sofer, Susan Redline, Heming Wang

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Objectives: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and diet quality impact cardiometabolic disease, but few studies have examined if SDB influences diet quality. This study estimated the association between SDB subtypes (with and without sleepiness) and future diet quality in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Methods: Probable SDB was characterized by self-reported physician-diagnosed sleep apnea (PDSA) or habitual snoring and subtyped by presence or absence of sleepiness. A food frequency questionnaire measured diet 1.6 years before, and 7.8 years after SDB assessment. Diet quality was measured with the Alternate Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI). Mean differences in AHEI at follow-up by SDB subtypes were …

Associations Between Food Insecurity And Gpa Among Full-Time California State University Undergraduates During Covid-19: The Impact Of Mental Health, Lindsey Jones

Master's Theses

Food insecurity is a persistent public health concern among college students that has been associated with student’s academic and mental health outcomes. This thesis examined the associations between food insecurity, academic performance (measured by GPA) and mental health (using Kessler 6 psychological distress and self-perceived mental health impacts on academic performance), among full-time undergraduate students within the California State University (CSU) system. Cross-sectional analyses were conducted using data from the Spring 2021 CSU National College Health Assessment, administered across all 23 campuses. Of the 20,167 respondents, 12,899 students were included in the analytical sample. Bivariate analyses were conducted to analyze …

Impact Of Thermodynamic Factors And Intrinsic Properties On Crystallization Behavior And Physical Properties Of Edible Fats, Nabila Anjum

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Crystallization behavior of three edible fats: interesterified soybean oil (IESBO), interesterified palm olein (IEPO), and fully hydrogenated palm kernel oil (FHPKO) were explored to understand how this process is affected by different factors. The study focused on how the chemical composition of these fats affects their behavior like how much time they require to be crystallized at a certain temperature. By using different scientific methods, how quickly each fat began to crystallize and how much energy it took to start the process was measured. Among the methods used, Gompertz equation, a mathematical model, gave the most consistent and reliable results …

Understanding Impact Of Starter Culture Blends On The Ph Variation In Cheddar Cheese During Early Aging, Samuel J. Clarke

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Consumer expectations govern what is acceptable when it comes to the flavor, texture, and color of the cheese. These quality attributes of cheese are all influenced by the pH of the cheese which is in turn controlled by the acid production of the starter lactic acid bacteria (SLAB) used to make cheese. Whatever the final pH of the cheese is, is what determines the quality of the cheese. Unfortunately, there are some Cheddar cheese manufacturers that have observed pH variation during the early aging of their cheeses. We hypothesize that the addition of thermophilic, fast-acid producing bacteria, like Streptococcus thermophilus …

Investigation Of Changes In Exotic Bird Serum Vitamin D Levels Between Indoor And Outdoor Housing, Alexander J. Marley

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is directly related to sunlight and is involved in multiple physiological processes including calcium metabolism, feather quality, and chick development. Most vertebrate species are capable of both absorption of exogenous vitamin D and internal synthesis of vitamin D, with vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), being more accessible and bioactive in bird species. In exotic bird species, dietary requirements for vitamin D3 are largely unknown, and the ability to maintain adequate serum concentrations of vitamin D3 metabolites without direct sunlight exposure also requires evaluation. Concerns arise in situations where individuals may be housed indoors for extended …

Workplace Policy And Associated Factors Of Minimum Acceptable Diet Practices: An Online Survey Among Working Mothers In Indonesia, Fadhila Iswi Deandra, Judhiastuty Februhartanty, Muchtaruddin Mansyur

Kesmas

Working mothers in Indonesia may influence complementary feeding practices, particularly their ability to ensure that their infants properly meet the minimum acceptable diet (MAD). In this cross-sectional study, an online survey was distributed through various online platforms where participants were recruited using convenience sampling. The questionnaire covered sociodemographic factors, workplace policies, and infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were conducted. A total of 394 working mothers participated, of which over 90% of the respondents reported meeting minimum dietary diversity, minimum milk frequency, minimum milk feeding frequency, and MAD indicators as assessed with a standardized …

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.

Associations Between Gad-7 And Phq-9 Scores And Willingness To Seek Treatment, Josephine Shaw

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

In recent years, mental health concerns among college students have increased significantly. This study aims to analyze data on student willingness and frequency to seek counseling services, such as UNLV CAPS (Student Counseling and Psychological Services), and the appeal of utilizing alternative interventions such as exercise and meditation. This study collected data from UNLV students, faculty, and staff through distribution of a scannable QR code. It included whether they were in therapy, the PHQ-9 and GAD-7, their respective functional impairment questions, and willingness to consider therapy alternatives. Based on respondents’ answers to the PHQ-9, the highest proportion peaked at 36% …

The Role Of Nutrition-Sensitive Interventions In Improving Nutritional Outcomes: Findings From A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Thomas De Hoop, Adria Molotsky, Rebecca Walcott, Pablo Gaitán-Rossi, Sonia Hernández-Cordero, Amos Laar, Torben Behmer, Hoa Thi Mai Nguyen, Averi Chakrabarti, Garima Siwach, Varsha Ranjit, Vania Lara-Mejía, Bianca Franco-Lares, Mireya Vilar-Compte

Department of Nutrition and Food Studies Scholarship and Creative Works

Background

Maternal and child undernutrition remains a major global health concern despite modest progress. Accelerating reductions in stunting and wasting will require increased investments in nutrition-sensitive interventions, which target nutrition impacts outside of the healthcare setting. This review examines the effects of four types of nutrition-sensitive interventions —cash/food transfers, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, water/sanitation/hygiene, and school nutrition— on maternal and child nutrition outcomes and dietary diversity.

Methods

We synthesized the evidence using an initial broad search and synthesis for nutrition-sensitive interventions, followed by targeted searches and syntheses for specific interventions and nutrition outcomes. Meta-analyses were performed to evaluate the impacts of cash …

Strengthening The Utah Diabetes Cook Along Program For Statewide Extension Delivery: Curriculum Refinement And Randomized Controlled Trial, Carrie Durward

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Losing Focus In The Age Of Tik Tok: Clinical Evidence For Policy Action On Social Media Use, Megan Conefrey, Robert Griffin

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

No abstract provided.

Tracking Livestock Heart Rate & Location Using Long-Range Radio Networks. An Immediate Solution For Farms Without Reliable Wi-Fi, Dermott Harkin, Martin Bradley

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

No abstract provided.

Voices Matter: Tackling Accentism In Ireland. A Study Addressing Accent-Based Discrimination Awareness In Education, Sadhbh Reddington, Victoria Graham, Holly Jordan, Mairead Moriarty

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

No abstract provided.

Income Inequality And Attitudes Towards Immigrants – How Increased Inequality Drives Division, Niamh Anderson, Vincent O'Sullivan

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

No abstract provided.

Supporting Single Parents: How Loneliness And Self-Stigma Can Impact Single Parents And Their Quality Of Life, Alana Powell, David Mothersill

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

No abstract provided.

Unheard And Underserved: Exploring Support For Male Victims Of Partner Abuse, Michael Keenan, Colletta Dalikeni

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

No abstract provided.