FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE MATERNAL FEEDING DECISIONS FOR TODDLERS: EXTENDING THE THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOR

Establishing healthy eating behaviors is vital in the early years to help combat the development of obesity and other chronic diseases. Mothers play an invaluable role in shaping their children\u27s eating habits through controlling what and when children eat as well as the overall food environment, which is why a better understanding of what influences mothers’ decisions about these behaviors is important. The purpose of the dissertation was to gain a better understanding of what impacts maternal feeding decisions regarding toddler nutrition behaviors. This was a two-phased mixed methods study. The aim of the initial study was to explore, using a Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework, the influences on mothers’ toddler feeding decisions. These included attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. These constructs were derived from discussions about what sources of nutrition information mothers use and trust. The aim of the subsequent study was to use the TPB to assess factors affecting a mother’s behavioral intention to provide their toddler with a healthy diet and to see if the addition of the parental role construction variable strengthened the TPB’s ability to significantly predict the mother’s behavioral intention. The first study used a qualitative approach to gather data from three focus groups that consisted of mothers of toddlers (N = 15). Qualitative thematic analysis was used to define prominent themes. Four major themes emerged from the data analysis: (1) attitudes (subthemes: positive towards maternal role of feeding and negative towards the maternal role of feeding); (2) subjective norms positively accepted (subthemes: social media, pediatricians, and registered dietitians); (3) subjective norms negatively accepted (subthemes: pediatricians and registered dietitians); (4) perceived behavioral control (subthemes: acceptance, scarcity of time and outside influences). An online survey was created using data gathered from the focus groups and a previously validated survey that fit the theoretical basis of the study. The survey utilized the TPB to assess the connections between the constructs and the mothers’ behavioral intentions surrounding toddler feeding. The final sample consisted of 148 mothers. The mean age was 32.83 (SD = 6.16) years. The majority of participants were married (87.2%), had earned a college degree or higher (79.7%), held part-time or fulltime employment, (60.8%), and were White (90.3%). The TPB model predicted 53% of the variance in mother’s behavioral intention surrounding the behavior of providing meals that include a wide variety of the five food groups in appropriate amounts. The addition of the parental role construction variable added 6% more predictive power to the model. The most salient predictors included attitude, perceived behavioral control, and parental role construction. Mothers positively and negatively receive information from a variety of sources, they have many strong emotions associated with feeding that are deeply rooted in their roles as mothers, and their feeding decisions were strongly influenced by the TPB constructs. Health promotion efforts should aim to increase the mother’s sense of behavioral control and parental responsibility rather than focusing on the benefits of healthy eating. Programs should provide tangible ways to help mothers overcome perceived barriers and, in turn, increase mothers’ beliefs in their ability to provide toddlers with a balanced diet

Evaluating a Novel Photochemical Tool for Labeling and Tracking Live, Endogenous Calcium-Permeable AMPARs

The purpose of this research is to advance development of a photochemical tool designed to probe the role of ionotropic glutamate receptor signaling in neurodegenerative processes, and to delve more deeply into the biological processes underlying the role of these receptors in signaling and memory formation. This ligand-targeted nanoprobe was designed and developed in our lab to label endogenous calcium-permeable AMPARs (CP-AMPARs) in live cells with minimal disruption to native receptor activity. Nanoprobe is designed to use naphthyl acetyl spermine (NASPM) as a photocleavable ligand to target and covalently label native CP-AMPARs with a non-perturbing, fluorescent marker that then allows observation of these receptors using standard epifluorescence microscopy. My contribution to this work, outlined in the aims below, is the characterization of nanoprobe using electrophysiology and fluorescent imaging to evaluate its effectiveness as an endogenous CP-AMPAR label on live neurons. Aim 1: To use whole cell patch clamp electrophysiology to test the labeling of CP-AMPARs with nanoprobe by recording changes in glutamate-evoked current through heterologously expressed GluA1-L497Y homomultimers during, pre- and post- nanoprobe labeling. Aim 2: To use fluorescent imaging to evaluate nanoprobe labeling of glutamate receptors endogenously expressed in hippocampal neurons by co-labeling nanoprobe-treated neurons with traditional antibodies to AMPAR and synaptic targets. Aim 3: To use nanoprobe to detect endogenously expressed CP-AMPARs on live neurons during the course of neuron development. Live neuronal cultures will be imaged before and after labeling with nanoprobe in young dissociated cultures (DIV 1-2) and in maturing cultures (DIV 14-17). Conclusions: Whole cell patch clamp electrophysiology results provide evidence that nanoprobe will label CP-AMPARs in a minimally-perturbing fashion that allows the receptors to resume normal activity after photolytic-release of ligand as designed. Fixed cell imaging of CP-AMPAR nanoprobe labeling was largely ineffective, and live cell imaging was not conclusive, but provided supporting evidence that nanoprobe targets and labels NASPM-sensitive endogenous glutamate receptors on live dissociated hippocampal neuron

A New H4/5 Ordinary Chondrite from North West Saudi Arabia, Al Jawf 001

This research involves the classification and description for the newly discovered ordinary chondrite breccia, Al Jawf 001. Compositional analyses of olivine, pyroxene, and kamacite in each of the major clasts and matrix of the breccia were taken in order to determine its compositional group (H, L, or LL). Percent mean deviations (PMD) of Fe in pyroxenes were calculated for every major clast and matrix, in order to determine the petrologic type of the meteorite. The thermal history was ascertained by pyroxene thermometry and the metallographic cooling rate. The above methods yielded that Al Jawf 001 is an H4/5 chondrite with a peak metamorphic temperature of 750 oC - 850 oC and a cooling rate of 0.1 - 1.0 oC per million years. The high peak metamorphic temperature and slow cooling rate suggest a two-stage cooling-rate history for the H chondrite parent body. Al Jawf 001 provides valuable insight into the history of the H chondrite and adds to the vast amount of information available on ordinary chondrites, increasing our knowledge of the early solar system

Creating Engaged Community Scholarship through Alternate Experiential Learning in Dietetics Education

Excerpt Supervised Practice Programs (SPPs) are designed to provide innovative experiential learning opportunities for dietetic interns. The University of Kentucky Dietetics and Human Nutrition (UK DHN) program promotes critical thinking and integrates the hard skills learned in the classroom with soft skills required in a professional setting. The experience provides an opportunity for hands-on learning and application, creativity, and reflection linking theory to practice. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the 2019 SPP, challenging the fundamental nature of experiential learning. Problem-solving and flexibility were required to develop innovative approaches to helping interns meet core competency expectations through alternative supervised learning experiences. The lessons learned will inform future program activities that benefit from offering remote internship experiences

Phonon density of states of iron solid solutions at ambient and high pressures using nuclear inelastic X-ray scattering (NRIXS)

Nuclear resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (NRIXS) of synchrotron radiation uses the energy transferred during the inelastic nuclear absorption of photons to determine phonon density of states for solid Mössbauer isotopes. This type of experiment can be conducted at ambient and high pressures with the use of a diamond anvil cell (DAC) and a rhenium gasket. Here, we are concerned with the phonon DOS of α-FePt 10% at pressures up to 30 GPa, as well as FeAl 4.3%, 6.4%, and 27.1% at ambient pressures. The iron samples used are doped in order to increase the pressure at which the alpha to epsilon phase transition for iron occurs. As the most abundant element within Earth’s core, the study of iron is fundamental in geophysics and in terms of thermodynamic modeling. 57Fe is the most common Mössbauer isotope, and its lattice dynamics have been greatly studied. The phase transition of magnetic α-Fe, body-centered cubic structure, to nonmagnetic ε-Fe, hexagonal close-packed structure, (see figure 1) occurs around 13 GPa [1]. We recently conducted experiments at the APS on beamline 16-IDD to determine how doping Fe samples with Pt and Al affects the Fe α-ε transition. As iron is the most abundant element within Earth’s core, understanding how doping changes its transition is especially important in geophysics and in terms of thermodynamic modeling

Predicting outcomes of trauma-exposed women in substance use treatment programs

Previous research has found various predictors for substance use treatment outcomes, such as relapse and re-entry into treatment. However, there is a distinct gap in the research on treatment outcomes for women. While gender has not been found to be a predictor in and of itself of treatment outcomes, there are distinct differences between predictors for outcomes of men and women. It is also mixed in terms of what factors are indicative of negative or positive outcomes and what is considered effective treatment. Similarly to gender, too little research has been done to efficiently investigate trauma and its role in substance use treatment and it is mixed in terms of whether treating trauma or other mental health issues is effective in substance use treatment. Another issue in the current research is its variability in what trauma is investigated (i.e. revictimization, polyvictimization, single trauma, etc.). The current study was investigated using 3, 078 women in The Comprehensive Addiction and Treatment Outcomes (CATOR) system. Thus, the present study seeks to examine the role of trauma itself, polyvictimization, and revictimization, on treatment outcomes

Alternative Community Nutrition Experiential Learning Opportunities for Dietetic Interns during COVID-19

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, collaboration among faculty in the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition at the University of Kentucky yielded two, four-week virtual experiential learning opportunities with Cooperative Extension for 19 dietetic interns. Remote experiences focused on development of new programming regarding the role of nutrition in the prevention/management of the most prevalent chronic diseases affecting Kentuckians and translating an existing social marketing program that promotes quality family time through preparation of nutritious, affordable home-cooked meals. Weekly assignments took ~10 hours, included individual and groupwork, and came together to create program packages encompassing commonly used products (e.g., podcast, recipe demonstration). Interns perceived improvement in professional competencies and transferable skills – notably adaptability, multitasking, and cooperation. They also reported gains in competency with software programs and awareness of the diverse roles for registered dietitian nutritionists in community settings. Lessons learned include: the need for streamlined coordination and communication of timelines across overlapping tasks; more support to transition to remote work environments including virtual shared workspaces, group work, and tech support, and the value of providing interns purposeful learning experiences during times of uncertainty. Extension-based projects, in-person or virtual, can provide opportunities for valuable experiential learning that build professional competencies and transferable skills

Developing an evidence-based program sustainability training curriculum: A group randomized, multi-phase approach

Abstract Background The emergence of dissemination and implementation (D&I) science has driven a rapid increase in studies of how new scientific discoveries are translated and developed into evidence-based programs and policies. However, D&I science has paid much less attention to what happens to programs once they have been implemented. Public health programs can only deliver benefits if they reach maturity and sustain activities over time. In order to achieve the full benefits of significant investment in public health research and program development, there must be an understanding of the factors that relate to sustainability to inform development of tools and trainings to support strategic long-term program sustainability. Tobacco control programs, specifically, vary in their abilities to support and sustain themselves over time. As of 2018, most states still do not meet the CDC-recommended level for funding their TC program, allowing tobacco use to remain the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the USA. The purpose of this study is to empirically develop, test, and disseminate training programs to improve the sustainability of evidence-based state tobacco control programs and thus, tobacco-related health outcomes. Methods This paper describes the methods of a group randomized, multi-phase study that evaluates the empirically developed “Program Sustainability Action Planning Training” and technical assistance in US state-level tobacco control programs. Phase 1 includes developing the sustainability action planning training curriculum and technical assistance protocol and developing measures to assess long-term program sustainability. Phase 2 includes a group randomized trial to test the effectiveness of the training and technical assistance in improving sustainability outcomes in 24 state tobacco control programs (12 intervention, 12 comparison). Phase 3 includes the active dissemination of final training curricula materials to a broader public health audience. Discussion Empirical evidence has established that program sustainability can improve through training and technical assistance; however, to our knowledge, no evidence-based sustainability training curriculum program exists. Therefore, systematic methods are needed to develop, test, and disseminate a training that improves the sustainability of evidence-based programs. Trial registration NCT03598114. Registered 25 July 2018—retrospectively registered