The rising prevalence of obesity in the United States is a serious health concern. The increased prevalence of obesity in children has motivated researchers and health professionals to work in the community to educate and implement interventions to improve the dietary habits of American children. Schools provide an excellent setting for nutrition interventions aimed at children. Increasing fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption among children is an effective way to promote and teach healthy food habits and to reduce obesity by substituting FV for foods high in fat, cholesterol, sodium, and sugar. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a nutrition intervention on FV choices by students using daily production records. Daily production records (DPR) were evaluated from three Florida districts during two consecutive school years. There were nine schools in the three districts who implemented interventions. Intervention activities included addition of salad bars, promotion of FV, sampling of FV, increasing variety and quantity of FV available, and improved merchandising of FV. Data measured were FV servings chosen by students since consumption could not be determined without additional observations or plate waste data. The total number of FV servings chosen per student per lunch period per school was determined by subtracting the number of leftover FV servings from the number of FV servings prepared. Numbers of servings of different types of FV were added together for each day. FV servings were divided by the total number of students who participated in the National School Lunch Program for each lunch period at each school. FV servings were compared pre- and post-intervention to evaluate any changes. Results showed an increase from 1.44 to 1.65 servings per student. Data were also analyzed by district and school type. Two of the three school districts showed significant increases in FV servings chosen per student. Elementary and Middle schools also showed significant increases in FV choices. It can be concluded from these results that the use of DPR is a useful method for measuring FV servings to assess interventions in a school setting when the aim of the intervention is focused on promotion of FV and increasing FV choices and consumption. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Nutrition, Food, and Exercise Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Degree Awarded: Summer Semester, 2004. / Date of Defense: April 23, 2004. / Production Records, School Food Service, Fruit and Vegetable Choices, School Nutrition, Fruit and Vegetable, Nutrition Interventions / Includes bibliographical references. / Laura R. Cook, Professor Directing Thesis; Doris Abood, Committee Member; Doug Zahn, Outside Committee Member.

Shrimp is the most consumed seafood item in the United States (U.S.). Currently 90% of the shrimp consumed in the U.S. is imported from a few Asian countries. When imported shrimp arrives to its destination, it probably contains a load of microbial contamination due to the post-harvest processing steps such as transportation, handling, preparation, beheading, peeling, deveining, packaging and storage that could add further bacterial contamination. Most of the U.S. import refusals belong to seafood shipments due to the detection of bacterial contamination and filthy appearance. Upon shipment arrival, testing for microbial activities of seafood requires a two day incubation period when using the traditional Aerobic Plate Count (APC) method; however, a novel non-instrumental microrespirometer which was developed by Hsieh and Hsieh (2000) can determine the microbial activity of the sample in real-time by measuring the CO2 evolution rate (CER). CO2 is a byproduct of microbial respiration which can be used as a direct indicator of biological activity. The unique characteristic of this method is that it is a simple device that can determine the microbial activity in food less than one hour and is highly sensitive in determining the CER and simple to operate. The use of the microrespirometer instead of the APC in testing the imported seafood shipments will save a great deal of time and lower the cost for both importers and exporters by lowering the testing cost and reducing the costly waiting time at the ports. The specific objectives of this study are: 1) to validate the real-time microrespirometer method by correlating the rapid CER results with the traditional cultural APC method, 2) to establish a shrimp spoilage cut-off value of CER using the microrespirometer method by comparing the results with sensory analysis, 3) to exam the effect of chloramphenicol on shrimp shelf life using non-instrumental microrespirometer, APC method and sensory analysis and 4) to compare the shelf life of farm-raised imported shrimp with domestic wild-caught shrimp using non-instrumental microrespirometer, APC, pH and sensory analysis. Frozen domestic wild-caught shrimp (Penaeus duorarum) and imported farm-raised shrimp (Panaeus vannamei) were purchased locally. Domestic shrimp were treated with chloramohenicol at 10 and 30 ppm and stored at 4°C along with the untreated domestic and imported shrimp. Samples were tested daily using the microrespirometer, APC, pH and olfactory sensory analysis. The p values and correlations between CER, APC and sensory analysis were determined using SPSS Statistic software and Microsoft Excel 2007. The microrespirometer and pH determinations were done in triplicate; the APC was performed in duplicate and the experiments were repeated twice. The CER method was found to be highly correlated with the APC (R²=0.812 to 0.929) for all samples stored at 4°C. When samples' spoilage odor became noticeable, the average CER value of all samples was 27.23 µl/h/g. In order to allow for a small safe margin, a CER value of 25 µl/h/g was identified as a safe cut-off value for raw shrimp stored at 4°C. Samples treated with chloramphenicol had significant (P The difference in microbial quality and shelf life of various (source of origin and drug treatment) shrimp samples were able to be determined rapidly and accurately when using the real-time CER method. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Nutrition, Food, and Exercise Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Degree Awarded: Fall Semester, 2010. / Date of Defense: September 9, 2010. / Shelf Life, Carbon Dioxide, Respiration Rate, Microrespirometer, Shrimp / Includes bibliographical references. / Yun-Hwa Peggy Hsieh, Professor Directing Thesis; Bahram Arjmandi, Committee Member; Fred W. Huffer, Committee Member.

Whole body lipid and carbohydrate utilization during moderate intensity exercise was examined in eumenorrheic women using oral contraceptive agents (OCA) (n=10) compared to women who were not using OCA (n=9) during the high and low hormone phases of the menstrual cycle. High hormone phases were considered to be the mid-luteal phase of non-OCA users, or the third week of active pill phase of OCA users. Low hormone phases were the placebo pill phase for OCA users or the early follicular phase of non-OCA users. Subjects were tested in an overnight fasted state. The two exercise trials consisted of cycling for one hour at 65% of peak oxygen consumption on an electronically braked cycle ergometer. Substrate utilization was assessed at rest and at 15 minute intervals during exercise using respiratory gas analysis and measurements of serum glycerol and free fatty acids and plasma glucose. Measurements of plasma estradiol and progesterone at rest and plasma insulin at rest, 30, and 60 minutes were also performed. The only significant difference noted in lipid utilization was a lower resting respiratory exchange ratio (RER), during the high hormone phases compared to the low hormone phases of the menstrual cycle for both OCA and non-OCA users. A main effect of ovarian hormones and insulin was also found, in that higher circulating insulin levels were noted in the high hormone phases when compared to the low hormone phases, regardless of OCA use. There were also significant changes over time for substrate utilization during exercise, as expected, but there were not any significant differences for OCA use or menstrual cycle phase. These findings suggest that there is no need to omit female subjects using OCA from studies examining energy substrate utilization during moderate intensity exercise. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Nutrition, Food, and Exercise Science in partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Degree Awarded: Spring Semester, 2005. / Date of Defense: August 5, 2004. / Female Athlete, Lipid Oxidation, Menstrual Cycle, Substrate Utilization, Oral Contraceptives / Includes bibliographical references. / Jodee Dorsey, Professor Directing Dissertation; Susan Lynn, Outside Committee Member; Emily M. Haymes, Committee Member.

There has been particular interest in studying the impact of cognitive changes in individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This population can have decreased cognition for any number of reasons including age-related declines in blood flow, disease-related declines in blood flow which affects oxygen transport to the brain, and both age and disease related declines in physical activity. PURPOSE: The purpose of the original study is to investigate the relationship between age, psychological well-being, health related quality of life (HRQL), six-minute walk distance (6MWD), seven-day physical activity recall (7DPAR), vocabulary subtest scores, pulmonary function values and five specific cognitive domains (motor speed, perceptual motor speed and sequencing, inhibitory processing, verbal fluency, and psychomotor performance) in a sample of people with COPD. METHODS: A total of 13 people with COPD aged 45 to 85 years participated in the study. There was one measure designated for each of the five cognitive domains: Motor Speed was measured by the Finger Tapping Test; Perceptual Motor Speed and Sequencing was measured by the Connections Test; Inhibitory Processing was measured by the Stroop Color Test; Verbal Fluency was measured by the Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT); and Psychomotor Performance was measured by the Digit Symbol Substitution Test. Seven correlation and five multiple regression hypotheses were designed to measure the relationships among the variables. RESULTS: Significance in age (hypothesis 1) was seen in three of the five cognitive domain measures: Connections Test Numbers Letters [-.570*, p an unexpected significant relationship observed regarding the vocabulary subtest and Stroop Color, however it was in the opposite direction than the recommended hypothesis 5 [-.576*, p Hypothesis 10 regarding Inhibitory Processing, however was supported among all of the models 1-5. CONCLUSION: One consistent feature noted within the results was the significant percentages of variation accounted for by age alone or with age and 6MWD, in the cognitive domains perceptual motor speed and sequencing, inhibitory processing, and psychomotor performance. The identified relationships are consistent with the literature except for the results from BDI and vocabulary subtest. The mechanisms for decreased cognition are multiple and the present study can be regarded as a springboard for future research in the area of COPD. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Degree Awarded: Spring Semester 2005. / Date of Defense: November 30, 2004. / Aging, Cognition, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease / Includes bibliographical references. / Tonya Toole, Professor Directing Thesis; Lynn Panton, Committee Member; Sandra Faria, Committee Member.

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the erythropoietic response to intermittent hypoxic exposure (IHE) vs. intermittent hypoxic training (IHT). A secondary purpose was to assess the effects of IHE and IHT on time trial performance (TT), maximal oxygen carrying capacity (VO2max), and submaximal exercise capacity. Six cyclists and three triathletes participated in two experimental normobaric hypoxic trials (IHE and IHT) and a control (CTR) period of 28 days. The two experimental normobaric hypoxic trials were a completed at 14.4% O2 concentration (3,000m) and consisted of: 1) a resting passive exposure in a seated position (IHE) and 2) cycling exercise at ~60-70% of heart rate reserve. Assessment of erythropoietin (Epo), free testosterone (FT) hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), reticulocytes (Rct), serum iron (SI), total iron binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin recptor (sTfr), ferritin (SF), total plasma proteins (TPP), and plasma osmolality (Posm) was taken 1 day prior to the start of each experimental trial and control period, and on days 1, 5, 14, 28 and 1 day after each of these periods for all participants. Evaluation of VO2max, power output at the lactate threshold (LT), submaximal exercise capacity (oxygen uptake [VO2], ventilation rate [Ve], heart rate [HR], arterial oxgen saturation [SaO2] and blood lactate [HLa]) and TT was completed before and after each 28 day period. Results of a 3 x 6 ANOVA for measures of Epo, Hb, Hct, Rct, SI, TIBC, sTfr, SF, TPP and Posm did not demonstrate any significant trial by time interactions. A significant interaction between time and trial for FT was found; however, results of a one-way ANOVA conducted for each condition did not reveal any significant effects for IHE, IHT or CTR. A main effect for time was demonstrated for SF; however, results of a one-way ANOVA revealed no significant differences between time points when multiple comparisons were corrected utilizing the Bonferroni procedure. Results of a 3 x 2 ANOVA for measures of performance did not reveal any significant trial by time interactions for VO2max, LT, submaximal VO2, HR, Ve and SaO2. A significant trial by time interaction was found for HLa at 30 minutes of exercise. HLa was significantly lower following IHT when compared to pre-exposure values. A significant main effect for condition was demonstrated at 30 minutes for SaO2. SaO2 was significantly lower during the IHE condition when compared to IHT. A significant trial by time interaction was found for TT. TT was significantly faster following IHT when compared to pre-exposure times. Significant main effects for time were found for LT, maximal heart rate and maximal HLa at 0, 2 and 10 minutes post exercise. The LT was significantly higher in the post time period when compared to pretesting values. Maximal heart rate and HLa at 0, 2 and 10 minutes in the post time period were significantly lower when compared to pre testing values. Further statistical analysis of the variables of Hb, Hct, LT, VO2max, TT and submaximal exercise performance was performed on those individuals who maintained an SaO2 / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Science in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Degree Awarded: Summer Semester, 2005. / Date of Defense: June 20, 2005. / Erythropoiesis, Intermittent Hypoxia, Performance / Includes bibliographical references. / Emily M. Haymes, Professor Directing Dissertation; Lisa Eckel, Outside Committee Member; Lynn Panton, Committee Member.

Thesis (M.P.H.)--University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 36-40).

Thesis (M.P.H.)--University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 49-53).

Thesis (M.S.) B.Y.U. Dept. of Home Economics Education. / Electronic thesis. Bibliography: l.77-82. Also available in print ed.

Thesis (M.A.)--Catholic Theological Union at Chicago, 1988. / Vita. Bibliography: leaves 79-91.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury, 1996.