Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 1975, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects: Agriculture

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2016, Food and Nutrition Sciences (Health Sciences and Professions)

Introduction: This study examined fruit production characteristics of different varieties of pawpaw (Asimina triloba) over a period of 8 years. Methods: Plants of 52 varieties of pawpaw (n = 359) were planted at three locations in southwest Ohio from 2001-2006. Fruit were collected and weighed spring 2005-fall 2012. For further analysis, the 52 varieties were divided into two data categories (varieties not belonging to a genetic group and those assigned a genetic group) based on previous research. Differences in average fruit weight (g), yield (g), and harvest length (days) were analyzed among varieties and genetic groups. Pearson's r was used to identify any correlation between average fruit weight and total number of fruit produced. Results: Significant differences in average fruit weight were found between genetic groups and individual varieties. Differences in yield and fruit onset were also identified between individual varieties. Significant differences in average fruit weight and yield were seen between growing locations. Comparison of average fruit weight and total fruit number resulted in a significant negative correlation. Discussion: Results indicate that some pawpaw varieties, or groups, generate significantly larger fruit. Results also indicate that planting location makes a difference in fruit production, although future research is needed to identify specific growing factors. A weak negative correlation between average fruit weight and total fruit number indicates that large fruit sets can lead to decreased fruit size. In order to improve fruit quality and tree productivity, potential pawpaw growers must consider many preharvest factors. These findings add to the limited body of evidence about pawpaw fruit in general and indicate that variety and growing location can significantly affect the ultimate commercial potential of pawpaw fruit.

Committee: Robert Brannan PhD (Advisor) Subjects: Food Science; Horticulture

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 1964, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2006, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 1983, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2006, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 1915, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 2023, Biology

I explored the impacts of forest management on understory dynamics in a second-growth forest. Through a manipulation of forest management, I examined the potential effects of: 1) overstory thinning, 2) overstory thinning coupled with nonnative shrub removal and 3) control (no management). My findings suggest that forest management is an important driver of key factors structuring forest understories including productivity, dispersal, recruitment and mortality. Notably, impacts were most pronounced when nonnative shrubs were controlled in addition to overstory thinning, rather than in forests managed with overstory thinning alone. That said, results were often species-specific. These dynamics ultimately led to increased richness as a result of management, as well as shifts in species composition within the forest understory, both across space and time. My work reveals important shifts in demographic processes that will likely prove key to shaping how forests respond to management actions.

Committee: Katharine Stuble (Advisor) Subjects: Ecology

Bachelor of Arts, Ohio University, 2021, History

Billie Holiday, Lena Horne, and Nina Simone were musicians in the early-mid twentieth century who were innovators for using art as activism. They used their art and platforms to raise awareness and comment on the state of the nation in regards to civil rights. Billie Holiday paved the way with her iconic song "Strange Fruit," calling out racial injustice in the form of lynchings. Lena Horne was a performer who made room for Black actors in Hollywood for roles outside of stereotypes, like servants or "mammies." Nina Simone was a classical pianist who used her strong voice and honest lyrics to narrate the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. Their lives demonstrate intersectionality and how Black women used their strength, determination, and art to be part of a movement.

Committee: Chester Pach Dr. (Advisor) Subjects: African American Studies; American History; Black History; Gender; History; Modern History; Music

Doctor of Ministry , Ashland University, 2020, Doctor of Ministry Program

The purpose of this project was to discover leadership models that would produce fruit within the Mid-Atlantic Episcopal District of the AME Zion Church. The scope of research included biblical, theological, historical, and contemporary writings on fruitful leadership. The design of the project included both clergy and lay leaders within the Mid-Atlantic District. Noteworthy to this project, from the data, participants understood their role as a leader while contributing to church growth, community engagement, mentorship, and a Kingdom model through a Spirit-led approach. The results revealed that leadership is beyond the title “leader” but it should be embodied in practice.

Committee: Joann Shade Dr. (Advisor) Subjects: African American Studies; Educational Leadership; Religion

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2020, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

In cost-offset community supported agriculture (CO-CSA), low-income households receive subsidized shares of locally-grown produce with the aim of improving their access to and consumption of fruits and vegetables (FV). Social cognitive theory (SCT) is a commonly leveraged behavior change theory and informed the design of a CO-CSA plus nutrition education intervention trial for low-income households. The objective of the present study is to model the cross-sectional relationships at baseline between SCT-aligned variables and FV intake among CO-CSA enrollees. We hypothesized that nutrition-related attitudes, beliefs, and self-efficacy as well as perceived FV availability and accessibility would be significant predictors of FV intake. In Spring 2016 and 2017, adult enrollees (n=305) completed a baseline questionnaire containing study-specific and validated questions to measure nutrition-related psychosocial (knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs), environmental (FV availability and accessibility), and behavioral factors (self-efficacy) in relation to self-reported and proxy measures of FV intake (National Cancer Institute's All-Day FV Screener and resonance Raman spectroscopy to assess dermal carotenoid score). Descriptive statistics and multiple regression models were completed in SPSS. Models controlled for demographic characteristics. Self-efficacy to prepare and eat FV and in-home FV availability were significant predictors of daily FV intake. In-home FV availability, accurate knowledge of FV recommendations, and perceived geographic access to FV were significant predictors of carotenoid score. Among a set of SCT-informed variables expected to influence FV intake, knowledge of FV recommendations, geographic access to FV, in-home availability of FV, and self-efficacy to prepare and eat FV were significant predictors. However, these only explained 22-23% of outcome variability among a sample of CO-CSA adult enrollees. SCT alone may not be the most appropriate theory thro (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Jennifer Garner (Advisor) Subjects: Health Sciences; Nutrition; Public Health

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2019, Horticulture and Crop Science

U.S. black raspberry (BR) production is currently limited by narrowly adapted, elite germplasm. Improved understanding of genetic control and stability of pomological traits will inform the development of improved BR germplasm and cultivars. To this end, analysis of a multiple-environment trial of two BR mapping populations derived from crosses of commercial cultivars with wild accessions has provided insights into genetic variation, genotype-by-environment interactions (GEI), quantitative trait loci (QTL), and QTL-by-environment interactions (QEI) of fruit quality traits among diverse field environments. Genetic components and stability of four fruit size traits and six fruit biochemistry were characterized in two mapping populations following their evaluation over three years at four distinct locations representative of current U.S. BR production. GEI of pomological traits were described using two methods: mixed model analysis and Bayesian Finlay-Wilkinson regression. Both methods revealed relatively stable genetic control of the four fruit size traits across the tested production environments and less stable genetic control of the six fruit biochemistry traits. Further, Finlay-Wilkinson regression revealed individuals contributing to GEI for each trait. Ten QTL associated with three fruit morphology traits and five QTL associated with two fruit biochemistry traits were identified. Of the fifteen total QTL, eleven exhibited significant QEI. Closely overlapping QTL revealed linkage of several fruit size traits: fruit mass, drupelet count, and seed fraction. Further, alignment of linked markers to the BR genome revealed genomic regions associated with these traits. These and related findings are expected to guide further genetic characterization of BR fruit quality, management of breeding germplasm, and development of improved BR cultivars for U.S. production.

Committee: Jonathan Fresnedo Ramirez (Advisor); Leah McHale (Committee Member); Joseph Scheerens (Committee Member) Subjects: Genetics; Horticulture

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2019, Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering

We investigated a novel combination treatment involving shear stress (SS) and moderate electric field (MEF) for nonthermal pasteurization of fruit and vegetable juices. We further investigated this combination incorporating nisin (NS) for the same purpose. Our hypotheses were that the effect of mechanical shear (mechanical/physical cell disruption) could be simultaneously combined with moderate electric field (enhanced cellular permeabilization) and nisin (pore formation in cell membrane) in a synergistic manner to ensure food safety while maintaining quality in fruit and vegetable juices. Assurance of safety and longer shelf life of food products requires inactivation of food spoilage and pathogenic bacteria, since juice products are a rich source of nutrients that support microbial growth and activity. Recently, due to growing demand for health-promoting properties, the food industry has investigated a number of nonthermal techniques and their combination strategies for maintaining fresh-like characteristics as alternatives to thermal pasteurization and sterilization. The objectives of this research were to: 1) determine the disinfection effects of SS and MEF treatments individually, or in simultaneous combination (SS+MEF) on the inactivation of Gram-negative (Escherichia coli K12) and Gram-positive bacteria (Listeria innocua) inoculated onto fruit and vegetable juices, 2) determine the combined consecutive or simultaneous combination effect of SS+MEF with mild heat or NS on microbial inactivation rates and levels to find the optimized treatment conditions, 3) investigate the contribution of different mechanisms to bacteria inactivation and injury, 4) evaluate a non-linear kinetic model predicting the survival ratios and metabolic activities of both test microorganisms under applied time-varying treatment conditions, and 5) analyze and assess selected quality attributes of these processed products and compare them with those of untreated products. Findings in (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Sudhir Sastry (Advisor); Ahmed Yousef (Committee Member); Dennis Heldman (Committee Member); Gonul Kaletunc (Committee Member) Subjects: Agricultural Engineering; Food Science

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2019, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Dietary intake plays a central role in the etiology and prevention of cancer. However, limitations of dietary assessment instruments pose significant challenges for dietary research. Thus, there is a critical need for objective, noninvasive biomarkers of dietary exposure. Literature suggests urinary flavonoid metabolites are associated with fruit and vegetable (FV) intakes, yet precise correlations between these metabolites and specific days and length of dietary record (DR) collection have yet to be elucidated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the strength of relationships between a targeted panel of urinary flavonoid metabolites with varying days and length of DR to determine optimal methodology for evaluating FV intakes. Three-day DR from 17 cancer survivors were analyzed using Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR) to quantify FV intakes. Twenty-four hour urine samples were collected on the final day of the DR. Urinary flavonoids were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). Correlations between the sum of 6 urinary flavonoids (μmol/L) and FV intakes (total grams) including and excluding potatoes were analyzed using: (a) sum of intakes from 3-day DR, (b) sum of intakes from 2-day DR, and (c) intakes from each day of DR separately. Total urinary flavonoid concentration was weakly-to-moderately associated with total FV intakes for 3-day, 2-day, and 1-day records (all p>0.05). When excluding potatoes, total urinary flavonoid concentration was moderately associated with total FV intakes on both 3-day (r=0.48, p=0.05) and 2-day (r=0.55, p=0.02) records. FV intakes including and excluding potatoes from records on the day preceding urine collection were moderately associated with total flavonoid concentration (r=0.49, p=0.05; r=0.55, p=0.02, respectively). A targeted panel of urinary flavonoids is most strongly associated with FV (excluding potatoes) consumed the day before and day of urine collection. (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Colleen Spees PhD, RDN, LD, FAND (Advisor); Elizabeth Grainger PhD, RDN, LD (Committee Member); Kristen Roberts PhD, RDN, LD, CNSC (Committee Member) Subjects: Nutrition

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2018, English (Arts and Sciences)

This novel tells the story of an unconventional family, Karen, Lily, Helen, and Perley, living in a manner dictated partly by circumstance, partly by choice, in the hills of Appalachia. They attempt to build a life on their own terms but are torn from each other. Most of the story is about the women trying to get Perley, the child back from foster care. The novel is preceded by a creative critical essay, entitled “By Fight I Mean Fight”, which explores conflict as a craft point in the art of fiction writing. The essay makes the argument that conflict, while often touted as a fundamental ingredient to fiction writing, is underexplored and often relies on received cultural ideas about what conflict is for and what its possibilities are. The essay engages a variety of storytellers, writers, conflict workers, activists, and scholars, as well as using examples from the novel, to expand the conversation about conflict as craft.

Committee: Patrick O'Keeffe Associate Professor (Advisor); Bianca Spriggs Assistant Professor (Committee Member); Ghirmai Negash Associate Professor (Committee Member); Erin Schlumpf Assitant Professor (Committee Member) Subjects: Environmental Justice; Home Economics; Individual and Family Studies; Labor Economics; Land Use Planning; Language Arts; Modern Literature; Zoology

MS, University of Cincinnati, 2018, Allied Health Sciences: Nutrition

Background: Hypertension (HTN) prevalence rates among 10-14 year olds are 1.8% and 3.8% in 15-19 year olds. Cardiovascular damage related to HTN in adolescence predicts adverse clinical events in adulthood. Only about 10% of youth consume adequate F&V for ideal cardiovascular health. Design: This study is a secondary data analysis of a larger randomized clinical trial (RCT), which included 11 to 18 year old youth at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC). Adolescents diagnosed with primary HTN or pre-HTN between the years 2008-2015 were enrolled in a hospital-based dietary intervention (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension or DASH-4-Teens or Usual Care) to lower blood pressure (BP). Methods: Multiple linear regression analysis, adjusted for relevant confounders, was used to assess the relationship between meal timing and frequency of eating occasions (EO) and intake of fruits and vegetables (F&V), sweet and savory snacks (SSS), high calorie beverages (HCB) and DASH score (a measure of DASH diet adherence) in adolescents with pre-HTN and HTN participating in the DASH-4-Teens intervention and Usual Care. Outcome: Servings of F&V (p=0.0004), SSS (p=0.03) and DASH score (p=0.03) were positively associated with eating frequency (=3.0, >3.0-4.0, >4.0-5.0, and >5.0 EOs). Servings of F&V (p<0.0001) and HCB (p<0.0001) were positively associated with diurnal meal time intervals (6am-10:59am, 11am-3:59pm, and 4pm-8:59pm), compared to nocturnal meal time interval (9pm-5:59am). Relevance: Increased frequency of diurnal eating was related to increased F&V intake, but also increased intake of SSS and HCB consumption. These findings suggest that grazing throughout the day may be a beneficial strategy to meeting DASH goals as long as guidance is given in regards to healthy snack and beverage choices. It is recommended to substitute F&V for SSS and low-fat milk for HCB to derive the most benefit from DASH on lowering BP.

Committee: Sarah Couch Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Laurie Nommsen-Rivers Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Nutrition

Master of Science (M.S.), University of Dayton, 2018, Biology

Some phenotypes have more ability to evolve than others, captured by the term “evolvability.” While some traits can evolve rapidly, such as the shape, color and size of a butterfly wing, the Drosophila testis specific beta-2 (ß2) tubulin protein, a fundamental component of the spermtail axonemes, has not evolved in over 60 million years. This protein is a main element of the microtubules within the axoneme which supports the motility of the sperm cell. There is a 9+2 configuration of microtubules, nine doublets of microtubules arranged along the outer edge of the structure with two central microtubules. Each microtubule consists of tubulin dimers of ß2 tubulin and the major alpha tubulin isoform 84B which is present in most cells of the body. Previous studies have shown that substitutions of the of beta-1 tubulin, a 95% identical paralog of beta-2 expressed in somatic cells, and chimeric tubulins composed of beta-1 and beta-2 tubulin sequence are unable to support a motile axoneme, indicating the axoneme is highly sensitive to beta tubulin structure. From these findings, evolutionary conservation and highly sensitive structure/ function relationship, two hypotheses tested here were developed for the long conservation of ß2 tubulin. The first, stabilizing selection: nature is constantly selecting a particular sequence even though other sequences may work due to differences in the quality of sperm produced. Or, it may be that there is no alternative sequences that function, and a co-evolutionary event with another protein found within the axoneme is required to release beta-2 tubulin to evolve. These hypotheses were tested using the substitution of a beta-2 ortholog, the gene in a different species which evolved from a common ancestor, was examined to determine its ability to produce a functional sperm in the Drosophila melanogaster model. If able to produce a functional sperm, stabilizing selection is supported; if unable, a co-evolutionary event has occurred. Throug (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Mark Nielsen (Committee Chair) Subjects: Biology; Developmental Biology; Evolution and Development

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2017, Horticulture and Crop Science

Root systems are known to have profound influences on nearly every aspect of plant development and biology, including vegetative and reproductive capacity. However, the specific impacts of intra-specific combinations of root and shoot systems, when combined in physical hybrids, on important physical, chemical, and sensory properties of Capsicum annumm pepper fruit are largely unknown. Grafting was used to combine the canopy and root system of two types of Capsicum plants (producers and non-producers of capsaicin and small, more elongated versus large, blocky fruit), thereby making it possible to examine the separate and combined roles of variety-specific roots and shoots in shaping key fruit characteristics, among them the concentration of capsaicin. Capsaicin is an ideal metabolite to study root-shoot interaction and roles because early stages of its biosynthetic pathway occur in the roots, with final assembly in the fruit at advanced stages of development. Fruit size, shape, wall thickness, and soluble solids levels were similarly tracked as they and capsaicin influence consumer acceptability and fruit marketability. The overall program involved field studies in 2016 and 2017, a targeted wintertime greenhouse study, and consumer sensory analysis. Overall, it was found that the Capsicum variety supplying the root system of the grafted plant had little influence on the variables measured when a sweet pepper was used as a scion. When a hot pepper was used as a scion the root system played a large role in influencing the capsaicinoid profile of the fruit. Implications of this finding include: a) that the variables measured are influenced by more than the root systems used here and b) that it may possible to employ rootstock-scion combinations without concern over rootstock influence on fruit in commercial production.

Committee: Matthew Kleinhenz (Advisor); Joseph Scheerens (Advisor) Subjects: Biology; Botany; Food Science; Horticulture

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 1987, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects: Economics

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 1982, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects: Engineering