Doctor of Nursing Practice, Mount St. Joseph University , 2019, Department of Nursing

Sepsis is a serious medical concern worldwide and becomes rapidly fatal if not identified and treated early in its development. Literature reveals clinicians have difficulty recognizing sepsis timely when it is most treatable because sepsis is always secondary to an infection, its signs mirror other conditions, and there is not a diagnostic test specific for sepsis. Literature also demonstrates while education on sepsis is important and necessary, education has limited effects on the identification and treatment of patients with sepsis. Still, education promotes awareness, reinforces treatment, and enhances a nurse's confidence in managing persons with sepsis. MedFlight is a critical care transportation company in Ohio that provides critical care life support medical transportation by helicopter and ground mobile intensive care vehicle. Within MedFlight's broad quality management system is a scorecard which includes four metrics specific to the care of patients who are diagnosed with sepsis. These metrics include: intravenous fluid bolus, vasopressor use, serum lactate measurement, and antibiotic therapy. This DNP project explored whether a single online education intervention would affect these sepsis metrics since compliance with them was lower than expected. Findings of this project revealed that although participants felt more informed about sepsis and better prepared to treat patients with sepsis, compliance with the sepsis quality metrics was less after education than it was before the education. This is consistent with other sepsis research whereby education has a limited effect on a clinician's ability to detect and manage patients with sepsis. Recommendations from this project included ongoing study of these metrics and more frequent feedback using a variety of means. This DNP project added to the larger body of knowledge because it was specific to critical care transport and addressed quality measures.

Master of Science (M.S.), University of Dayton, 2016, Electrical Engineering

This study suggests improvements and an extension for the No-Reference Image Enhancement Quality Metric And Fusion (NRIE-QMF) Technique, that measures a perceptual quality score. To mesure the quality score, the NRIE-QMF metric uses the image statistics based on brightness, contrast, and noise content. The NRIE-QMF uses several image inputs from various image enhancement methods (GHE, CLAHE, and LTSN) and calculates a score value for each pixels based on the local neighborhood statistics. Then respective pixel scores of each enhanced image are weighted and fused into one to create a combined image. The NRIE-QMF metric is analyzed for execution time using the MATLAB profiler. Few modification and optimization steps are carried out to increase the execution speed while maintaining a good output. Secondly, enhanced images are scored using the proposed metric and the score matrices are thresholded compared to the original image's score matrix to avoid over-amplification caused by some enhancement methods. Finally, it is shown that the proposed metric achieves a 85.8% speed increase compared to the NRIE-QMF method and generates a combined output image with a superior visual quality. Also, quality score of the new combined image results higher than those of the enhanced images used for fusion, demonstrating the superiority of the proposed method's fusion technique.

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2011, EDU Teaching and Learning

The components of high quality preschool are studied and valued by early childhood education professionals, but less is known about what components of quality parents and other caregivers value. The factors caregivers consider when selecting preschools are particularly important, as these reflect not only caregivers' desires for their children's well-being, but also the practical considerations caregivers must take into account in order for the program to fit their lives. It is not well understood how caregivers' preschool selection factors relate to the observed quality of the program in which they enroll their children. Likewise, little information is available on the resources caregivers use to learn about and select a preschool. These resources, though, are likely to reflect which sources of information are most trusted and available to caregivers. Caregivers of children with disabilities are particularly important with regard to preschool selection factors, as these caregivers have the additional challenge of securing a preschool placement which can accommodate and appropriately care for their children's special needs. As a population deemed to hold special rights by the law, the preschool selection factors and resources used by these families deserve further attention. Here, 407 caregivers with children in 54 early childhood special education classrooms were surveyed on their preschool selection factors, the resources they used to learn about and select a preschool, and basic demographic features. Classrooms quality was assessed for each classroom, and compared to caregivers' preschool selection factors. Findings show that caregivers prioritized interpersonal teacher characteristics and safety when selecting preschools, and relied most on friends and family and their own prior knowledge of a preschool as sources of information. Caregivers' felt that process elements of quality were more important than structural or familial elements of quality. Caregivers wh (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Toledo, 2023, Curriculum and Instruction: Early Childhood Education

An Abstract of Quality in Early Childhood Education: Parent, Child, and Teacher Insight by Debora L. Belcher Submitted to the Graduate Faculty as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Curriculum and Instruction: Early Childhood Education The University of Toledo December 2023 The word ‘quality' in the phrase ‘quality early childhood education' (ECE) is notoriously difficult to define. There is no doubt it's important to have enforceable state-level standards in ECE, so consumers can have some assurance their children are being provided a safe and nurturing environment which fosters emotional, intellectual, physical, and social development. Unfortunately, in many instances the regulatory atmosphere born of these good intentions has become heavy-handed, stifling creativity, and rewarding those whose only goal is to comply with a static set of often outdated rules. Conversely, research has shown that methods of providing ever-better quality education to preschool children are likely to flourish in a responsive regulatory atmosphere that rewards innovation, and which seeks input from various stakeholders, such as parents, teachers, and young children. However, with respect to gaining an understanding of the ECE preferences or interests of young children, researchers have found difficulty in obtaining reliable data. Verbal interviews necessarily rely on subjects whose facility with language is at an early stage of development. The relatively new methodology known as Photo Elicitation Interview (PEI) research offers exciting opportunities for hearing the authentic voices of young children, potentially allowing the researcher to largely ‘bypass' complications created by ‘word-heavy' interactions. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the preferences of end-state users of ECE: parents, teachers, and young children. The study does this by attempting to discover those preferences in the selectio (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2019, Dentistry

Objectives: Aims of this study were (1) determine if there was any difference in psychosocial well-being and quality of life (QoL) surgical orthodontic patient subjects and controls at different time points during and following treatment and (2) identify any change in the subjects' QoL during and following treatment. Methods: The study was approved by The Ohio State University Institutional Review Board. Subjects were patients with facial skeletal mal-relationships whose proposed orthodontic treatment plans included orthognathic surgery. Controls were recruited and matched to subjects for age, sex, education level, and employment status at each time point. Subjects were evaluated at three time points: pre-treatment (T1), pre-surgery (T2), and post-treatment (T3 - six months to two years after removal of orthodontic appliances). Controls were not followed longitudinally; they were recruited to match subjects at each of the 3 time periods. To assess psychosocial well-being and condition-specific- and overall QoL, participants were asked to fill out the following questionnaires: Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ) and Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), Beck's Depression Index (BDI), Child's Depression Inventory (CDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Form Y (STAI-Y), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAI-C). For depression and anxiety evaluation, BDI and STAI-Y, and CDI and STAI-C were used for adult and pediatric participants, respectively. Each of these instruments have been determined to be valid and reliable. Differences between the subjects at the different time points, as well as the differences between subjects and controls at each of the three time points were evaluated. Results: Four hundred and ninety-two surveys, controls and subjects, were collected. Twenty-four subjects completed surveys at all three time points, and 25 completed them at 2 time points. No significant differences between subject and control groups in a (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Gerontological Studies, Miami University, 2017, Gerontology

Ohio has an older population who are more likely to live alone than other states. Older Ohioans are at higher risk of nursing home admission. Additionally, a recent study shows that nursing homes in Ohio have lower quality compared to the rest of the United States. Hence, improving nursing home quality in Ohio is paramount in the field of aging services. The goal of this current study was to identify factors that affect nursing home quality in Ohio using data from the 2013 Biennial Survey of Long-Term Care Facilities in Ohio for Nursing Facilities and 2013 fourth-quarter archived data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Five-Star Rating System. Not-for-profit facilities with a low proportion of Medicaid days were more likely to be high performers in Health Inspection, Staffing, and Overall domains. Small facilities were more likely to be high performers in Staffing and Overall domains. Facilities that had no administrator turnover were more likely to be high performers in Health Inspection. Non-chain affiliated facilities performed better in the Staffing domain. Facilities with low STNA retention rates were at higher risk of receiving one- or two- star ratings in Overall. Implications for consumers, policy makers, and providers are discussed.

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2015, Agricultural and Extension Education

The purpose of this study was to develop 4-H horse project quality indicators that would act as a tool for advising 4-H youth and guide 4-H professionals as well as volunteers. Leaders worldwide realize that planning, implementation, and evaluation are essential steps for a solid value-based foundation within any organization. Currently, the Ohio 4-H horse program lacks a clear set of implementation and evaluation guidelines for 4-H horse projects. 4-H horse projects are structured according to a standard format for all 4-H projects but not uniquely for their content. Therefore, youth implement and complete 4-H horse projects in the manner that they or their advisor best see fit. This lack of clear structure and guidelines creates a wide range of possible experiences and learning across the scope of these projects. As such, the development of quality indicators for Ohio 4-H horse projects will ensure the maintenance of youth satisfaction and an advisor ability to serve. Information obtained through the in-depth evaluation of 2003-2013 Ohio 4-H horse projects and youth enrollment data will yield a better understanding of current trends and future expectations. The analysis of enrollment data will inform both the Ohio 4-H horse program as well as the Ohio 4-H program of the current issues and strengths within the organization. Based on the identified issues within the enrollment data and an extensive literature review, quality indicators for 4-H horse projects were developed. Internal stakeholders, identified as volunteer 4-H horse advisors, were used to validate the relevancy of the individual quality indicators. The quality indicators were validated through a web-based survey of Ohio 4-H horse advisors utilizing the Qualtrics survey software suite. Advisors were asked to review the quality indicators and establish the relevancy of each indicator via a 4-point Likert-type scale. Advisors were also asked to rank the order of importance for each indicator within th (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2014, Business Administration

This dissertation aims at understanding the organizational antecedents and performance consequences for hospitals of combining conformance quality and experiential quality when delivering care. Conformance quality reduces variance around a set of technical guidelines and has been a long standing priority in health care delivery. Experiential quality requires a shift in culture and focuses on the quality of interactions between caregivers and patients and by definition enhances variance. In the context of health care delivery, reconciling both quality dimensions has proven a challenge given the need for the same caregiver to simultaneously focus on two dimensions that trigger different learning mechanisms. Existing theories on reconciling dual learning goals are not adapted to the particularities of this setting. This dissertation develops a framework on combining conformance and experiential quality in the health care delivery context through three inter-related studies that use multiple methods. The first study, “The Impact of Combining Conformance and Experiential Quality on Health Care Clinical and Cost Performance”, investigates whether overcoming the tensions between conformance quality and experiential quality has an impact on the effectiveness of care delivery. The study builds on the quality management and organizational learning literature to investigate the impact of combining experiential and conformance quality dimensions on clinical and cost outcomes. Hypotheses are tested using secondary data from 9 distinct sources on 3474 U.S. acute care hospitals over a six-year period. Econometric analyses indicate that combining conformance and experiential quality promotes clinical outcomes but at the expense of cost efficiency. The second study, “The Effects of Coordination Mechanisms on Combining Conformance and Experiential Quality in the Delivery of Care: A Multi-Method Study”, investigates the effect of top-down control versus bottom-up decision-makin (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Gerontological Studies, Miami University, 2012, Gerontology

In 2008, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented a five-star rating system of nursing homes in the United States. These star ratings have been widely publicized both by CMS and in the national and state media. Although the components of the star rating system take into account various dimensions of quality, the satisfaction of nursing home residents and their families are not taken into consideration. The current study compares the CMS star rating system to the satisfaction ratings of nursing homes provided by residents and their families throughout the state of Ohio. Findings indicate that the star rating system does not adequately reflect consumer satisfaction and recommend that the star rating system be refined to include a consumer component.

PHD, Kent State University, 2008, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Psychological Sciences

The study goal was testing several competing hypotheses regarding how positive and negative friendship qualities and stability relate to early adolescent self-esteem. Hypothesis 1, Consensual Validation Model, proposed participating in higher positive quality friendships enhances self-esteem. Hypothesis 2, Differential Association Model, proposed higher positive quality friendships increases impact of negative quality, resulting in lower self-esteem. Hypothesis 3, Engagement Model, proposed friendships lower in positive and negative quality would lower self-esteem. Hypothesis 4, Embeddedness Model, proposed stable friendships bolster self-esteem through social standing. Hypothesis 5, Moderation Model, proposed stability moderates the relationship between friendship quality and self-esteem, such that the first hypotheses would be supported only if friendship was stable.143 seventh and eighth graders completed questionnaires, in fall and in spring. At Time 1, students reported friendships, friendship quality, and self-esteem. At Time 2, students reported friendship stability, self-esteem, and socially desirable responding. Hypotheses were tested using positive and negative quality and stability of the best friendship predicting global self-esteem. When best friendship quality and stability were used to predict global self-esteem, none of the hypotheses were supported. Post hoc analyses tested the hypotheses using best friendship to predict perceived social acceptance rather than global self-esteem. These subsidiary analyses found best friendship positive quality predicted reporting higher perceived social acceptance. In addition, best friendship negative quality demonstrated a marginal association with lower perceived social acceptance. Best friendship positive quality interacted with best friendship stability to predict higher perceived social acceptance, with stable friendships higher in positive quality reporting highest self-esteem. Additional post hoc analyses w (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, 2012, Geology

The measurement and monitoring process of the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) of surface water bodies is an essential part of the TMDL process, as data needs to be collected to state the loads, and consistent monitoring is needed to determine the success of mitigation methods for the listed impairments. Satellite remote sensing can reduce costs of monitoring, yield far denser sampling, and provide greater consistency than the current method of collection. Although there are typically more parameters currently measured per water sample in the laboratory, all but two or three (pigments and nutrients) are irrelevant to harmful algal bloom (cyanobacteria) monitoring, and those few can be measured from satellite, including the phycocyanin, chlorophyll-a, and total phosphorous levels within the water. Satellite data from LANDSAT 5 and 7 can be downloaded for free, which enables monthly monitoring with an eight day repeat cycle of satellite overpass and approximately five measurements per acre over an entire lake. This study focused on Lake Elsinore, a large recreational lake in southern California, which had a nutrient TMDL created in 2004 due to hypereutrophicaton. Water collection data was provided by the Santa Ana Watershed Protection Authority from 2002 to 2010, and LANDSAT data was downloaded from USGS for overpass dates that fell on the same days as water collection. Preexisting algorithms consisting of linear combination of haze-corrected spectral ratios (which make the algorithms more robust to environmental changes among overpass dates) developed with Lake Erie data, as well as newly created algorithms from Lake Elsinore data, were employed to measure TMDL parameters of total phosphorus, total nitrogen, dissolved oxygen levels, and chlorophyll-a. A preexisting algorithm for mid-range total phosphorus resulted in some degree of correlation with the Lake Elsinore data, but a high bloom phycocyanin algorithm provided accurate insight to the presence of cyanobacteri (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Technology Management (MTM), Bowling Green State University, 2024, Technology Management/Quality Systems

In the contemporary landscape of digital information, safeguarding data integrity has become imperative for organizations across various industries alike. This thesis addresses the escalating challenges associated with potential compromises to data integrity and introduces a framework tailored for effective risk mitigation. Through an in-depth examination of current available data, this research identifies vulnerabilities that expose systems to integrity threats, drawing insights from existing literature and pertinent case studies. The proposed framework synthesizes industry best practices, integrating key elements such as encryption, authentication, and continuous monitoring. Emphasizing a proactive stance, the framework aligns with established industry standards and regulatory guidelines to establish a robust defense against threats, both internal and external. Real-world applications of failure stories are examined to validate the framework's effectiveness, or lack thereof, in diverse organizational settings. This research aims to make a meaningful contribution to the field of data integrity security by offering practical solutions to the complex challenge of data integrity risks in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. There are numerous similarities between these two industries, one of which being that each have the same rigorous data integrity requirements which must be met, therefore the framework constructed within this document is applicable to both industries alike. The insights derived from this study are intended to empower organizations, enabling them to fortify their digital and personnel infrastructure and maintain the resilience and trustworthiness of their data in the face of an ever-evolving threat landscape.

Doctor of Nursing Practice , Case Western Reserve University, 2024, School of Nursing

Among hospitals, the number of chief executive officers (CEO) who are nurses is small. For example, only two of the 400 major academic medical centers-health care systems are led by nurses (Bean et al., 2022). Even fewer hospital and health system CEOs are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). The CEO is the highest ranking executive leader in an organization, in this case, a hospital. APRNs have grown from less than 68,000 before 1990 to over 355,000 in 2023 (American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 2023). The APRN brings essential and possibly unique knowledge, skills, and attitudes to the CEO role, as they are well versed in providing bedside nursing care, similar to a CNO's expectations. They are also licensed independent providers and can relate to other advanced practice providers (APPs) and physicians, much like the expectations of a chief medical officer (CMO). This project is a theory-driven narrative exploring the evolution of two nurse-manager-led quality improvement (QI) projects in which one chief executive officer-APRN (CEO-APRN) provided the initial vision and oversight and how reflection on this narrative led to an organizing, hard-wired framework to reduce patient harm through multiple QI projects hospital-wide. This report is a program evaluation specific to one institution and is not ready for generalizability outside one hospital system.

Ph.D., Antioch University, 2023, Antioch New England: Environmental Studies

All organisms occur within spatial and temporal environments to maximize proximate fitness (health) and thus life history outcomes. Previous work has examined the temporal and behavioral aspects of proximate fitness on life history outcomes particularly regarding highly perturbed environments (i.e., climate and land use change, resource extraction, agricultural erosion, etc.). My work focuses on the less examined spatial aspect of these perturbed environments. More specifically, this dissertation examines habitat selection and quality as the basis for understanding stress response (negative and positive feedback mechanisms) to environmental stressors within the larger context of regional or gamma (ɣ) biodiversity. Through the lens of environmental endocrinology, I examine patterns of glucocorticoid (GC) hormone differentiation spatially. I do this to understand how biotic and anthropogenic environmental stressors affect stress response in the American Crow (AMCR). This stress response could have an impact on human disease origins. I examined 13 sites throughout the State of Connecticut between 2019 and 2021, from very rural to very urbanized. I collected 153 opportunistic fecal samples of AMCR, then used radio immunoassay to characterize and quantify the samples as GC hormones, a key chemical constituent that reflects stress response in avian subjects. I then used a geographic information system (GIS) to plot various catchments for each sample centroid as notional representations of AMCR territories. I then overlayed 15 landcover types as biotic and anthropogenic environmental stressors (ESs). I used ordinary least squares linear regression for my initial analyses to evaluate the degree of validity of the ES–GC relationship at discrete locations where samples were taken and subsequently within varying sized territorial catchments. Finally, I reinterpreted a single constrained gravity model for the development of a habitat quality stress index (HQSI) to understand mo (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2023, Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology

Invasive temperate lianas are ecologically impactful and increasing in abundance in North America, but information regarding their ecophysiology is relatively scarce. I selected four introduced species representing potentially contrasting shade strategies, "light-demanding" Ampelopsis brevipedunculata and Celastrus orbiculatus and shade-tolerant Hedera helix and Euonymus fortunei, to compare their responses to either neutral shade or shade with a reduced R:FR ratio of 0.88 from the ambient 1.3, with the reduced-R:FR shade intended to more closely resemble canopy shade and induce a phytochrome-mediated shade avoidance response. I tested whether responses differed by species and by light quality, measuring five morphological and physical traits in all species and four photosynthetic traits in the shade-tolerant species. Mortality in shaded Ampelopsis was high along with Celastrus in all conditions, while no mortality was observed in shade-tolerant species. Differential responses to light quality were detected in three morphological traits and one photosynthetic parameter. Relative to neutral shade, leaf mass as a proportion of total aboveground biomass increased in Ampelopsis and Celastrus in reduced R:FR shade while increasing in both treatments for shade-adapted species. Internode length was only greater in R:FR-reduced shade than neutral shade for Celastrus, with no difference in elongation detected between shade treatments in any other species. These changes in allocation patterns and gross morphology were limited to the light-demanding species. While internode length was greatest for all species in control conditions, a subsequent analysis of biomass-adjusted internode length indicated that internodes were longest in the shade treatments, and nonsignificantly longer in R:FR-reduced shade relative to neutral shade. Hedera biomass was greater in R:FR-reduced shade, increasing nonsignificantly in all other species. Quantum yield (φ) was greatest in Hedera but unaffe (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Education (EdD), Ohio University, 2023, Educational Administration (Education)

This study explored the Deming System of Profound Knowledge as a method of leadership and management in K-8 education. The study focused on the process of acquiring and understanding Deming's teachings as they related to the principalship and educational leadership. Using autoethnography as methodology, I leverage personal qualitative data and related educational leadership literature to present my personal journey of becoming an educational leader who practices Deming's System of Profound Knowledge as their primary method for leading and managing a school. Upon reflection and analysis, I found W. Edwards Deming's System of Profound Knowledge practical and valuable as a leadership method in today's schools. Though the mastery of Deming's teachings was a long, complex process, it greatly improved my leadership practice. The findings highlight essential knowledge and skills required to understand and practice the System of Profound Knowledge. It connects educational leadership and Deming's method and recommends further research.

EDD, Kent State University, 2023, College of Education, Health and Human Services / School of Foundations, Leadership and Administration

Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the higher education undergraduate student body and the structure of course offerings have drastically changed. As we continue to transition from emergency remote courses to quality online learning experiences, we must respond thoughtfully as well as empirically. The purpose of this study was to examine quality learning experiences as perceived by students in online courses and use the new knowledge generated to add to current research and enhance practice. Through qualitative data collection, I intended to answer the following research questions: (a) What do students perceive as quality learning experiences in their online courses? and (b) How can understanding the student experience and perception of quality in their online learning environments improve course development procedures in online courses? Eight participants were interviewed regarding their experiences of quality in online courses. Results of the study determined Barriers, Interaction, Structure, and Community are the themes that students identify when defining quality online learning experiences. It was also indicated that students were more satisfied with their high quality online learning experiences. Implications and recommendations for improved practice and action steps are also provided. The researcher contends that these findings demonstrate the need to systematically build quality into online courses, which will offer students better learning experiences.

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2023, Journalism (Communication)

As more and more media outlets use Instagram to disseminate news it is important to examine how this novel way of presenting information affects journalistic quality. By conducting a qualitative content analysis of the Instagram accounts of six media outlets from Germany and the U.S., different quality criteria of journalism, differences between media houses, and different modes of distribution are examined in the given thesis. Results point to the conclusion that high journalistic quality is possible on Instagram. However, major differences between the media outlets are apparent: While a coherent structure in presenting news on Instagram can enhance quality, promoting corresponding online articles on Instagram, a feature commonly employed by private news outlets, results in lower journalistic quality. So far, only digital native accounts extensively make use of the new possibilities of features on Instagram like interactivity while maintaining a relatively high standard of quality. Overall, journalists need to balance maintaining a high-quality standard with adapting to the novel features offered on Instagram. Results add to the state of research on quality in digital journalism.

Master of Science in Biological Sciences, Youngstown State University, 2022, Department of Biological Sciences and Chemistry

Biological soil crusts are clumped together communities of organisms with soils that play an essential role in arid ecosystems. They have crucial roles in primary roductivity, nitrogen and carbon cycling, mineralization, water retention, and soil stabilization. There is a gap in knowledge for desert crusts from the Cieneguilla Desert of Lima, Peru. This study measures metal concentrations and determines carbon/nitrogen associated with crust communities to characterize the BSC and establish potential biogeochemical relationships. Chapter 2: The importance of monitoring water quality is essential to maintaining healthy aquatic environments for wildlife and human health. This study of Yellow, Creek in Poland, Ohio aims to identify spatial and temporal trends in physicochemical parameters, biological indicators, and benthic community structure. Water quality parameters (temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, total suspended solids, and fecal coliform count) were measured using a YSI Pro 2030 or other standard methods Nitrate, sulfate, and phosphate were measured using LaMotte nutrient kits. Macroinvertebrates were sampled using a 0.3 x 0.3 m Surber sampler. A two-way MANOVA of water quality parameters showed that season had significant influence on water quality. A one-way MANOVA showed that benthic macroinvertebrate community structure (density, diversity, and EPT richness) had a significant site*season interaction. Most physico-chemical and biological parameters were below maximum limits allowed by Ohio administrative code, but fecal coliform levels depended on season.

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2022, Environment and Natural Resources

Aquaponics, an integration of aquaculture and hydroponic systems, is designed to provide fish and crop production benefits while reducing problems associated with water usage and waste discharge. Aquaponics is expected to become a surging technology to meet the rapidly growing global food demand in a sustainable way, advancing towards the United Nation's sustainable development goals. The research project aimed at findings for a technically feasible aquaponics operation for healthy and nutritionally enriched fish and vegetables production. The dissertation research project had primarily threefold approaches. The first experiment was to characterize the water quality and lettuce yield and nutrient quality in aquaponics system with tilapia fish compared to conventional hydroponics system. The water quality parameters including total dissolved solids, pH, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, temperature, dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen, as well as mineral contents were monitored. Overall, lettuce shoot biomass produced under aquaponics system outperformed (45%) the hydroponics system, but root biomass weight was not significantly different between the treatments. Aquaponic lettuce showed higher levels of Ca and Mg, but lower level of Fe contents. Secondly, a study was conducted to evaluate the nutritional quality of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fish produced in U.S. aquaponics when compared with the imported fish. Tilapia fish produced in aquaponics system as well as imported tilapia fish collected from supermarket were processed and analyzed for proximate composition, protein and lipid profiles, and essential nutrient contents. Aquaponic fish had protein content as comparable to imported fish. Noteworthy, Aquaponics fish had promisingly higher amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and lower amount of saturated fatty acids (SFA) content than the imported fish. Moreover, aquaponic tilapia showed better nutritional quality based on total n-3 fatty (open full item for complete abstract)