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Description
Background: Studies have addressed food insecurity (FI) and fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption; however, not many have looked at the relationship between FI and FV consumption of caregivers with children. Researchers have not extensively evaluated if locale (urban and rural) plays a role in FV consumption. This cross-sectional study investigates the relationship between FI and consumption of FVs in caregivers and whether this relationship varies by locale. Methods: Caregivers with children completed baseline surveys as part of the Nutrition Incentive programs from the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) were included in analyses (n=3455; mean age= 33 ±0.12 years, 53.8% female). Caregivers reported their intake using the Dietary Screener Questionnaire (DSQ). The USDA 6-item food security screening module was used to assess food insecurity. Zip codes and Rural-Urban Continuum Codes (RUCC) were used to identify locale. Mixed linear models adjusted for sociodemographics (age, sex, race, and ethnicity), and clustered at the site level were used to assess the relationship between FV consumption and FI. Locale was examined as an interaction and was found to be not statistically significant, was included as a confounder in the models. Sensitivity analyses were conducted examining all FVs, FVs without potatoes included, FVs without juice included, and FVs without potatoes or juice. Results did not vary greatly, the aggregate FV variable is reported on below.
Results: The mean FV consumption was 4.83 +/- 0.060 servings. The prevalence of FI was 78.7%. FI was reported at 92.9% of urban households and 7.1% of rural households. The mixed linear model indicated that there was a significant relationship between FI and participant’s FV consumption (β=-0.51., 95% CI: -0.81, -0.22). This study found a relationship between FV consumption and locale only.
Conclusion: Caregivers’ FV consumption was significantly related to FI status; however, locale was not associated with their FV consumption. Research should further investigate the relationship between locale and FV consumption with consideration in the adolescent aged population, as these findings may be limited given the relatively small proportion of families living in rural settings.
ContributorsNieforth, Julia (Author) / Bruening, Meg (Thesis advisor) / Fricke, Hollyanne (Committee member) / Parks, Courtney (Committee member) / Ojinnaka, Chinedum (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2022
Description
American Sign Language (ASL) is used for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) individuals to communicate and learn in a classroom setting. In ASL, fingerspelling and gestures are two primary components used for communication. Fingerspelling is commonly used for words that do not have a specifically designated sign or gesture. In technical contexts, such as Computer Science curriculum, there are many technical terms that fall under this category. Most of its jargon does not have standardized ASL gestures; therefore, students, educators, and interpreters alike have been reliant on fingerspelling, which poses challenges for all parties. This study investigates the efficacy of both fingerspelling and gestures with fifteen technical terms that do have standardized gestures. The terms’ fingerspelling and gesture are assessed based on preference, ease of use, ease of learning, and time by research subjects who were selected as DHH individuals familiar with ASL.
The data is collected in a series of video recordings by research subjects as well as a post-participation questionnaire. Each research subject has produced thirty total videos, two videos to fingerspell and gesture each technical term. Afterwards, they completed a post-participation questionnaire in which they indicated their preference and how easy it was to learn and use both fingerspelling and gestures. Additionally, the videos have been analyzed to determine the time difference between fingerspelling and gestures. Analysis reveals that gestures are favored over fingerspelling as they are generally preferred, considered easier to learn and use, and faster. These results underscore the significance for standardized gestures in the Computer Science curriculum for accessible learning that enhances communication and promotes inclusion.
ContributorsKarim, Bushra (Author) / Gupta, Sandeep (Thesis director) / Hossain, Sameena (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Computer Science and Engineering Program (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
This thesis details a Python-based software designed to calculate the Jones polynomial,
a vital mathematical tool from Knot Theory used for characterizing the topological and
geometrical complexity of curves in 3-space, which is essential in understanding physical
systems of filaments, including the behavior of polymers and biopolymers. The Jones
polynomial serves as a topological invariant capable of distinguishing between different
knot structures. This capability is fundamental to characterizing the architecture of
molecular chains, such as proteins and DNA. Traditional computational methods for
deriving the Jones polynomial have been limited by closure-schemes and high execu-
tion costs, which can be impractical for complex structures like those that appear in
real life. This software implements methods that significantly reduce calculation times,
allowing for more efficient and practical applications in the study of biological poly-
mers. It utilizes a divide-and-conquer approach combined with parallel computing and
applies recursive Reidemeister moves to optimize the computation, transitioning from
an exponential to a near-linear runtime for specific configurations. This thesis provides
an overview of the software’s functions, detailed performance evaluations using protein
structures as test cases, and a discussion of the implications for future research and
potential algorithmic improvements.
ContributorsMusfeldt, Caleb (Author) / Panagiotou, Eleni (Thesis director) / Richa, Andrea (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (Contributor) / Historical, Philosophical & Religious Studies, Sch (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
This paper examines the multifaceted challenges surrounding college students' nutrition, with a specific focus on Arizona State University (ASU). Examining economic shifts, psychological influences, nutrition knowledge, and body image dynamics, it reveals the profound impact on students' food security and eating behaviors. Despite existing initiatives, persistent gaps in resources remain, necessitating comprehensive interventions to support students effectively. In response, "The Ultimate Health Resource for ASU Students," a website, was developed as an innovative solution. This platform aims to empower students by providing a centralized hub to access vital resources, connect with peers, and discover nutritious recipes. Proposed strategies encompass expanding food pantry offerings, developing mobile applications for nutritional guidance, and fostering partnerships with local organizations. By tackling these challenges head-on and fostering a culture of support, ASU can ensure that all students have equitable access to nutritious food options and the necessary resources to thrive academically and personally. The website serves as a place of empowerment, offering practical solutions and fostering a sense of community among ASU students striving for optimal health and well-being.
ContributorsLujan, Lexy (Author) / Buffington, Dillynn (Co-author) / O’Flaherty, Katherine (Thesis director) / Brand, Ashley (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Human Evolution & Social Change (Contributor) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program provide nutritious meals to school-age children. USDA’s Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is designed to extend the reach of these programs by allowing schools in low-income areas to provide free school meals to all students at no cost to families. CEP has been shown to increase school meal participation, nutritional intake, academic achievement, and attendance in previous research studies. This study aims to examine the impact of long-term CEP participation on student weight outcomes. Nurse-measured height and weight data for school years 2013-14 to 2019-20 were collected from 141 K-12 public schools in four low-income cities. School-level prevalence of obesity was calculated from students’ heights and weights using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocol. CEP participation for each school year was obtained from the state Department of Education. Schools in the sample began participating in CEP at different times yielding varying numbers of years of CEP exposure over the study period. Multivariable analyses examined the relationship between school CEP exposure and the prevalence of obesity, controlling for school-level covariates. Multivariable analyses showed that for every additional year of CEP participation, the school-level prevalence of obesity was 0.4% lower (p=0.018). The regression-adjusted obesity prevalence for schools that never participated in CEP was 28.0%, while the obesity prevalence for schools with 6 years of CEP participation was 25.4%. The lower prevalence of obesity in CEP-participating schools was primarily driven by elementary schools. These results suggest that the benefits of CEP participation can cumulate over time, significantly reducing school-level obesity prevalence over time.
ContributorsDykstra, Tatum Nicole (Author) / Ohri-Vachaspati, Punam (Thesis advisor) / Acciai, Francesco (Committee member) / McCoy, Maureen (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2024
Description
Mid-air ultrasound haptic technology can enhance user interaction and immersion in extended reality (XR) applications through contactless touch feedback. However, existing design tools for mid-air haptics primarily support the creation of static tactile sensations (tactons), which lack adaptability at runtime. These tactons do not offer the required expressiveness in interactive scenarios where a continuous closed-loop response to user movement or environmental states is desirable. This thesis proposes AdapTics, a toolkit featuring a graphical interface for the rapid prototyping of adaptive tactons—dynamic sensations that can adjust at runtime based on user interactions, environmental changes, or other inputs. A software library and a Unity package accompany the graphical interface to enable integration of adaptive tactons in existing applications. The design space provided by AdapTics for creating adaptive mid-air ultrasound tactons is presented, along with evidence that the design tool enhances Creativity Support Index ratings for Exploration and Expressiveness, as demonstrated in a user study involving 12 XR and haptic designers.
ContributorsJohn, Kevin (Author) / Seifi, Hasti (Thesis advisor) / Bryan, Chris (Committee member) / Schneider, Oliver (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2024