Background: The US population faces a continual increase in obesity prevalence, raising health concerns due to associated comorbidities ranked as leading causes of preventable, premature death world-wide. Scientists have found a link between obesity-associated conditions and oxidative stress (OS). To date, renewed interest in the effectiveness of dietary regimens in decreasing body weight is a popular research topic. Intermittent fasting (IF) is a popular and promising weight management strategy. To date, there have been no systematic reviews examining whether IF can reduce oxidative stress in overweight/obese adults. <br/><br/>Objective: Conduct a systematic review to evaluate the effects of intermittent fasting (IF) regimens on circulating markers of oxidative stress in overweight/obese adults compared to continuous calorie restriction (CR). <br/><br/>Methods: Databases PubMed, SCOPUS, ProQuest, and Cochrane were searched on February 21, 2021 for eligible articles limiting selection to those in the English language. Predefined search terms and restrictions were applied by two of the authors conducting the search. References from articles generated were also considered. Selected articles were limited to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and human trials evaluating the effects of intermittent fasting (IF) dietary regimens in comparison to continuous calorie restriction (CR). Study populations considered were limited to those within the range of 18-65 years having a body mass index (BMI) of ≥25 kg/m2 and in otherwise generally good health with the absence of pre-existing acute or chronic conditions. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Evidence Analysis Library Quality Rating Worksheet was used to assess the methodological quality of each of the studies and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Grade Definitions and Conclusion Grading Table were used to appraise the quality of evidence.<br/><br/>Results: Six articles met eligibility criteria and were included in this review. Cumulatively 355 overweight/obese participants were assessed. Quality ratings performed by two of the authors revealed a high-quality rating for all six of the articles. One of the articles reported a significant IF associated difference in circulating 8-isoprostane concentrations and another article reported a significant decrease in circulating oxidative lipoproteins concentrations. The remaining articles showed no significant difference on OS markers following IF. <br/><br/>Conclusions: Based on the six articles included in this systematic review, IF was concluded to have limited impact on reducing circulating markers of OS in overweight/obese adults. Overall, the evidence was heterogeneous in relation to IF interventions and outcomes precluding a meta-analysis. Consequently, evidence to make dietary recommendations for reducing oxidative stress with IF interventions is insufficient at this point.

In my undergraduate honors thesis, I strive to convey my idea that dance is more than just movement, it’s one of the many artistic tools used to express emotions; which therefore has the power to storytell without words. It is my hope to create a captivating form of art that you not only view, but can interact and interpret.

Introduction: In-store promotion of food products leads to more frequent purchases. Product promotion can vary by store characteristics. We compared marketing strategies used by grocery stores to promote fruit and vegetables (FV) in neighborhoods with varying socio-economic and racial/ethnic characteristics.<br/><br/>Methods: Data was collected from a random sample of 12 large grocery stores from the same national chain located within a 15-mile radius of Downtown Phoenix. Store zip-code level median household income was used to classify stores as located in lower (<$50,000) or higher (>$50,000) income areas. Stores located in neighborhoods with more than 50% Hispanic population were classified as majority Hispanic serving. The ProPromo tool was adapted to document the presence and promotion of FV at 8 distinct locations throughout each store. Types of promotion strategies documented included displays, price promotions, size, or themes.<br/><br/>Results: FV were present at the entrance, islands, checkouts, and produce section; while fruits were promoted in all of these locations, vegetables were promotion in fewer locations. All stores used size and price promotion to promote FV; display was used to promote vegetables in 2 stores and fruits in all stores. On average stores promoted 32 fruits and 38 vegetables. Stores serving higher and lower income areas promoted similar numbers of FV. However, stores in Hispanic majority neighborhoods promoted fewer FV (66) in comparison to those in Hispanic minority areas (73).<br/><br/>Conclusion: Fruit and vegetable promotion disparity associated with neighborhood demographics may contribute to disparities in fruit and vegetable consumption.

For my creative project, I explored using natural sound to create a sound score or song. I used contrasting natural sounds to create the sound scores. Most of the sound recordings are from the New York City subways as well as other recordings around different cities in the United States. I created new sounds using sound manipulation techniques. I explored the use of electronic music production to translate the natural noise into the patterns, repetition and other elemental musical techniques to create a song. I used Ableton as the music production platform to develop the three songs.

The basis of social power which has expanded in the most dangerous way over the last few decades has been that of information control, and how that control is used. Misinformation and the intentional spread of misinformation referred to as disinformation, has become commonplace among various bodies of power to either expand their own influence or diminish opposing influence. The methods of disinformation utilized in the various spheres of politics, the commercial marketplace, and the media today are explored in depth to better contextualize and describe the problems that disinformation and its use pose in the world today.

This paper explores the well-known Atkins Diet, as it also places a strong regulation on macromolecule consumption, specifically carbohydrates, in order to assist with the weight loss process. A review of available literature will be used to investigate: the history of the diet, necessity of macromolecule consumption, the impact this has on the individual biochemical pathways (glycolysis/gluconeogenesis) and the microbiome as a whole, as well as overall success rates and long-term health complications/benefits. Additionally personal statements from various individuals who have experience with the diet, myself included, will be incorporated into a holistic analysis of the effectiveness and longevity of the Atkins weight-loss strategy.

COVID-19 has shocked the bedrock of society, impacting both human life and the economy. Accompanying this shock has been the psychological distress inflicted onto the general population as a result of the emotion strain stemming from isolation/quarantine policies, being sick with COVID-19, dealing with COVID-19 losses, and post-COVID syndrome and its effect on quality of life. The psychological distress has been experienced by the general population, but compared to middle age (30-50) and older adults (>50 years of age), it has been young adults (18-30 years old) who have been more psychologically affected (Glowacz & Schmits, 2020). Psychological distress, specifically anxiety and depression, has been exacerbated by feelings of uncertainty, fear of illness, losing loved ones, and fear of post-COVID syndrome. Post-COVID syndrome, as with other post-viral syndromes such as post viral SARS involve lingering symptoms such as myalgic encephalomyelitis or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and loss of motivation (Underhill, 2015). In addition to these symptoms, patients suffering from post-COVID syndrome have also presented brain inflammation and damaged brain blood vessels (Meinhardt et al., 2021), Endotheliitis (Varga et al., 2020), CV abnormalities and changes in glucose metabolism (Williams et al., 2020). CV abnormalities and changes in glucose metabolism are connected to chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease respectively. These chronic illnesses are then associated with higher risk for depression as a result of the stress induced by the symptoms and their impact on quality of life (NIMH, 2021). Further monitoring, and research will be important to gauge ultimate physiological and psychological impact of COVID-19.

The purpose of this Barrett Thesis Project is to review the existing literature on ACL injuries specifically regarding their risk factors, prevention, and recovery options. The content of the review has been placed into four sections: physiological factors, biomechanical factors, surgery and recovery factors, as well as training factors. Physiological factors look at static structures and their impact on ACL injuries, more specifically, the role that variations on physical structure values can have on injury incidence. Biomechanical factors focus on the ways that movement can contribute to injury and the ways that incorrect movement or unanticipated movement can have on the structures of the knee. Surgery and recovery factors look at surgical techniques that have been used to correct ACL injuries and the details of their function as well as certain surgical techniques that have differing rates of success and how they can impact re-injury and rehabilitation rates. Finally, training factors analyze techniques that can be used in both pre-injury or post-injury situations therefore, this section looks at the ways that training can minimize re-injury as well as work towards preventing the initial injury. Overall, this research review looks at how these factors come together to contribute to an ACL injury and the ways that injury incidence can be minimized. Risk factors come together in order to create an undesirable situation in which the ACL ligament ruptures. These risk factors are either physiological or biomechanical in nature. As a result of injury, certain surgical techniques can be used that impact the success of a patient. Evidence for the benefit of training factors can then be applied in order to reduce injury risk or prevent future injuries.

The purpose of this longitudinal study was to predict /r/ acquisition using acoustic signal processing. 19 children, aged 5-7 with inaccurate /r/, were followed until they turned 8 or acquired /r/, whichever came first. Acoustic and descriptive data from 14 participants were analyzed. The remaining 5 children continued to be followed. The study analyzed differences in spectral energy at the baseline acoustic signals of participants who eventually acquired /r/ compared to that of those who did not acquire /r/. Results indicated significant differences between groups in the baseline signals for vocalic and postvocalic /r/, suggesting that the acquisition of certain allophones may be predictable. Participants’ articulatory changes made during the progression of acquisition were also analyzed spectrally. A retrospective analysis described the pattern in which /r/ allophones were acquired, proposing that vocalic /r/ and the postvocalic variant of consonantal /r/ may be acquired prior to prevocalic /r/, and /r/ followed by low vowels may be acquired before /r/ followed by high vowels, although individual variations exist.