Pilot study: Barriers to whole grain consumption among diabetics of German heritage

Whole grains play a cost-effective role in the treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes, yet consumption remains well below recommendations. This pilot study showed that nonfamilial environmental factors have a strong influence on whole grain consumption among type 2 diabetics of German descent. Dietary records and grain questionnaires were used to probe subjects’ knowledge of the benefits of whole grains, reasons for grain preferences, and actual consumption. For this population (n=18), mean whole grain consumption ( = 48±30 g/d = 3±2 servings/d) was much higher than the national average (μ ≤ 1 serving/d). Misunderstanding of labels negatively influenced whole grain consumption (z =1.69, P=0.09) while nutrition education showed a positive influence (z=1.4, P=0.14). This study provides preliminary evidence that the message about the benefits of whole grains will become more effective when a component on correct product identification is included in standard nutrition education

Primary Health Care Provider Differences in the Management of Preschool Aged Children's Mental Health Issues

This thesis examined health care providers' methods of identification and treatment of preschool aged children's (age 0 to 5) mental health issues and barriers to those methods in the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area. I used a quantitative approach and utilized secondary data from a 2007 Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) Study. The conceptual framework of the domains of expertise guided this thesis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there were significant differences by type of health care providers' methods to identify and treat preschool aged children's mental health issues; to identify how barriers to indentifying and treating children's mental health issues differ by type of health care provider; and to investigate the possible contextual characteristics that influence the methods used by health care providers to identify and treat preschool aged children's mental health issues. Findings from this research suggested that there is limited support for the theoretical framework of the socialization of physicians and non-physicians: domains of expertise, which indicated that differences should exist regarding the identification and treatment of children's mental health issues based on the type of health care provider (i.e., physician and non-physician). However, there were several notable exceptions. There were several differences based on the type of providers' treatment methods. There also were a number of differences based on health care providers' type of practice (i.e.,pediatric group practice and walk-in practice) regarding their identification level of sensitivity and treatment methods

EDITING IN FICTION: A CASE STUDY OF THE WRITING AND REVISION PROCESS

This thesis presents relevant research on accepted practices for writing and revising short fiction, applies the advice to an original piece of short fiction, and analyzes the results of this application. The following presents an original short story from “germ” to final draft. Four drafts are presented with commentaries on how the research informed the development of each draft. Specific changes to each draft are discussed and contextualized within the wider body of research. The result is a thorough documentation of how a young fiction writer may utilize relevant, significant resources to develop effective short-story writing via presentation of the advice’s results on an emerging text

A microflow cytometer for optical analysis of phytoplankton

Analysis of the intrinsic scatter and fluorescence profiles of marine algae can be used for general classification of organisms based on cell size and fluorescence properties. We describe the design and fabrication of a Microflow Cytometer on a chip for characterization of phytoplankton. The Microflow Cytometer measured distinct side-scatter and fluorescence properties of Synechococcus sp., Nitzschia d., and Thalassiosira p. Measurements were confirmed using the benchtop Accuri C6 flow cytometer. The Microflow Cytometer proved sensitive enough to detect and characterize picoplankton with diameter approximately 1 mm and larger phytoplankton of up to 80 mm in length. The wide range in size discrimination coupled with detection of intrinsic fluorescent pigments suggests that this Microflow Cytometer will be able to distinguish different populations of phytoplankton on unmanned underwater vehicles. Reversing the orientation of the grooves in the channel walls returns the sample stream to its original unsheathed position allowing separation of the sample stream from the sheath streams and the recycling of the sheath fluid

Responses of grassland birds to patch-burn grazing in the Flint Hills of Kansas

Master of ScienceDepartment of BiologyBrett K. SandercockGrassland birds are declining throughout their native range. The Flint Hills of eastern Kansas and Oklahoma contain large tracts of tallgrass prairie, but intensification of agricultural practices may be contributing to ongoing population declines. Common rangeland management practices include annual burning coupled with heavy grazing by cattle. This system, known as intensive early stocking and burning, promotes homogeneous utilization of forage by cattle but may not provide habitat for some grassland bird species. Patch-burn grazing is an alternative management system that aims to restore heterogeneity on rangelands by recreating the fire-grazing interaction that would have historically occurred throughout the Great Plains. From 2011-2013, we examined responses of grassland birds to traditional rangeland management and patch-burn grazing by conducting vegetation surveys, line transect surveys, and nest monitoring on privately-owned pastures in Chase County and Greenwood County, Kansas. Vegetative heterogeneity was higher on patch-burned pastures, with unburned patches having higher visual obstruction and less bare ground. Densities of grassland birds differed by species and among habitat strata. Unburned patches on patch-burned pastures were associated with increased densities of Dickcissels (Spiza americana), Eastern Meadowlarks (Sturnella magna) and Grasshopper Sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum). Henslow’s Sparrows (A. henslowii) were only detected on patch-burned pastures. Nest survival of grassland songbirds was similar among management systems but varied by year. Probability of nest parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) varied among years and between treatments for Dickcissels and Grasshopper Sparrows, with overall lower rates on burned areas and during drought years. For Dickcissels and Grasshopper Sparrows, there was a significant reduction in host clutch size between parasitized versus unparasitized nests. Overall, nest survival of grassland songbirds in managed rangelands was low. Patch-burn grazing improved rangeland conditions and provided habitat for more species of birds, but did not increase nest survival. Drought conditions in 2012 and 2013 may have influenced the results of this study, as many landowners were unable to burn as planned. Further study is needed to determine underlying factors driving variation in nest success and parasitism rates for grassland birds, particularly on private lands which make up the vast majority of remnant tallgrass prairies

Nurses - Tab Down Your Stress Level: A Pilot Study on the Use of Aromatherapy to Decrease Stress Levels

Introduction: The average day-to-day nursing profession is a stressful one. The job often requires dealing with patients enduring some of the worst times of their lives, as well as contending with patients\u27 emotional family members. This stressful environment is heightened even more for nurses employed in critical access hospitals (CAHs) due to the limited resources usually associated with these smaller facilities. Methods: Research and Evidence-Based Practice Council members at one CAH explored how to help nurses deal with the elevated work stress level. Aromatherapy tabs were used as an intervention to reduce nurses\u27 stress. The nurses who participated in this pilot study took a short survey before starting their shifts, indicating their stress levels. Following the survey, scented aromatherapy tabs were attached to the nurses\u27 uniforms and worn for the entirety of their shifts. At the end of their shifts, the participating nurses completed the same stress survey. Results: Twenty-five nurses participated in the pilot study. Nurses who did not wear the aromatherapy tab reported higher stress levels at the end of the shift than at the start, with a 3% overall average increase. Nurses who wore the aromatherapy tab reported lower stress levels at the end of the shift with a 12% overall average decrease. Discussion: Using aromatherapy tabs positively impacted nurses\u27 reported stress levels, indicating that aromatherapy tabs can be a tool for nurses to utilize within the workplace, supporting the need for further research