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Alternative polyadenylation (APA) is the biological mechanism in which the same gene can have multiple 3'untranslated region (3'UTR) isoforms due to the presence of multiple polyadenylation signal (PAS) elements within the pre mRNAs. Because APA produces mRNA transcripts that have different 3'UTR isoforms, certain transcripts may be subject to post-transcriptional

Alternative polyadenylation (APA) is the biological mechanism in which the same gene can have multiple 3'untranslated region (3'UTR) isoforms due to the presence of multiple polyadenylation signal (PAS) elements within the pre mRNAs. Because APA produces mRNA transcripts that have different 3'UTR isoforms, certain transcripts may be subject to post-transcriptional regulation by regulatory non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs or RNA binding proteins defects of which have been implicated in diseases such as cancer. Despite the increasing level of information, functional understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in transcription is still poorly understood, nor is it clear why APA is necessary at a cell or tissue-specific level. To address these questions I wanted to develop a set of sensor strain plasmids capable of detecting cleavage and polyadenylation in vivo, inject the complete sensor strain plasmid into C. elegans and prepare stable transgenic lines, and perform proof-of-principle RNAi feeding experiments targeting genes associated with the cleavage and polyadenylation complex machinery. I demonstrated that it was possible to create a plasmid capable of detecting cleavage and polyadenylation in C. elegans; however, issues arose during the RNAi assays indicating the sensor strain plasmid was not sensitive enough to the RNAi to effectively detect in the worms. Once the problems involved with sensitivity and variability in the RNAi effects are resolved, the plasmid would be able to better address questions regarding the functional understanding of molecular mechanisms involved in transcription termination.
ContributorsWilky, Henry Patrick (Author) / Mangone, Marco (Thesis director) / Newbern, Jason (Committee member) / Blazie, Stephen (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2015-05
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The purpose of the current research is to synthesize and analyze the available literature on the mental health of Sikh American adolescents, addressing gaps and proposing areas of further research. It assesses and compares perceptions of mental health in both Asian Indian and Sikh demographics, as the majority of Sikhs

The purpose of the current research is to synthesize and analyze the available literature on the mental health of Sikh American adolescents, addressing gaps and proposing areas of further research. It assesses and compares perceptions of mental health in both Asian Indian and Sikh demographics, as the majority of Sikhs are ethnically Asian Indian. The research is also intended to supplement the current understanding of mental health in the Sikh community with a discussion on the culturally-based risk and protective factors for mental health and Western mental health care access.

ContributorsBabbrah, Ciera Neha (Author) / Berkel, Cady (Thesis director) / Chia-Chen Chen, Angela (Committee member) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2021-05
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Description

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and statistical analysis of suicide by profession reveals that physicians and veterinarians experience abnormally high suicide rates. This paper seeks to provide a comprehensive literature review over what some general theories of suicide are, why these professions exhibit high suicide

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and statistical analysis of suicide by profession reveals that physicians and veterinarians experience abnormally high suicide rates. This paper seeks to provide a comprehensive literature review over what some general theories of suicide are, why these professions exhibit high suicide rates, what assistance is currently being provided, and where do these assistance efforts succeed or fail. Moreover, this paper addresses what advancements may be made within these fields to further combat suicide in physicians and veterinarians. To achieve this, general theories behind suicide, risk factors unique to or heavily prevalent in these professions, and current assistance efforts are read, organized, and summarized.<br/><br/>A summary of these risk factors includes stress and mental health disorders accumulated through school and work, personal and professional isolation, access to lethal substances, suicide contagion, exposure to euthanasia, and the role of perfectionism. There are several assistance efforts in place with the most successful ones being highly personalized, but many are still underutilized. Moreover, the stigma of suicide pervades these professions and is addressed by several researchers as something to combat or prevent. Going forward, it is hopeful that not only will more assistance efforts will be created and provided for physicians and veterinarians suffering from suicidal tendencies, but efforts to reduce the stigma of suicide be implemented and utilized as soon as possible.

ContributorsSinclair, Andrew (Author) / DeNardo, Dale (Thesis director) / Sterner, Beckett (Committee member) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2021-05
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Description

Previous research on law enforcement officers has not included studies of marital relationships from the spouse perspective, and tend to focus on workplace-based manifestations of stress and other health issues. This study fills a gap in current research by surveying police wives about their personal experiences of marriage to law

Previous research on law enforcement officers has not included studies of marital relationships from the spouse perspective, and tend to focus on workplace-based manifestations of stress and other health issues. This study fills a gap in current research by surveying police wives about their personal experiences of marriage to law enforcement officers, and mental health as it relates to themselves and their husbands. We examined the association of mental health stigma with marital quality in a sample of 969 police wives. We found a significant negative association between wives’ perceptions of police officers’ mental health stigma and marital quality, and additionally that wife characteristics of positive emotion and reappraisal are positively associated with marital quality, but do not act as moderators. We also discussed methods of reducing negative impacts of mental health stigma on marital quality, specifically mandatory police officer counseling and marital quality interventions.

ContributorsMarken, Catherine M (Author) / Sarah, Lindstrom Johnson (Thesis director) / Nicole, Roberts (Committee member) / Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2021-05
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Description

The use of drone warfare in Pakistan has long been a contentious topic. Drones have had a number of adverse effects on the people of Waziristan. The focus of this thesis will be on the effects drone warfare have had on the mental and psychological health of the victims and

The use of drone warfare in Pakistan has long been a contentious topic. Drones have had a number of adverse effects on the people of Waziristan. The focus of this thesis will be on the effects drone warfare have had on the mental and psychological health of the victims and children of Waziristan. Scholarly articles, research studies, and reports were researched in order to discuss the background of drone strikes in Waziristan, the legality of drone warfare, the data around drone strike casualties in Waziristan, and the effects of drone strikes on the psychological and mental health of children and victims in Waziristan. After discussion of these topics, several suggestions for reparations for the people of Waziristan are addressed in the conclusion.

ContributorsHalepota, Mahmeer Alam (Author) / Ali, Souad T. (Thesis director) / Mousa, Neimeh (Committee member) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2021-05
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Description

Health and Wealthness is a podcast where your hosts, Emily Weigel and Hanaa Khan discuss pressing and trending topics about health and wealth that everyone should know about. Our first four episodes focus on the opioid crisis. Both the science and healthcare sides. We then go on to talk about

Health and Wealthness is a podcast where your hosts, Emily Weigel and Hanaa Khan discuss pressing and trending topics about health and wealth that everyone should know about. Our first four episodes focus on the opioid crisis. Both the science and healthcare sides. We then go on to talk about burnout and mental health in a conversational episode.

ContributorsKhan, Hanaa S (Co-author) / Weigel, Emily (Co-author) / Olive, Foster (Thesis director) / Bonfiglio, Thomas (Committee member) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2021-05
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Description

Extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) has been identified in a broad range of eukaryotes and have been shown to carry genes and regulatory sequences. Additionally, they can amplify within a cell by autonomous replication or reintegration into the genome, effectively influencing copy number in cells. This has significant implications for cancer,

Extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) has been identified in a broad range of eukaryotes and have been shown to carry genes and regulatory sequences. Additionally, they can amplify within a cell by autonomous replication or reintegration into the genome, effectively influencing copy number in cells. This has significant implications for cancer, where oncogenes are frequently amplified on eccDNA. However, little is known about the exact molecular mechanisms governing eccDNA functionality. To this end, we constructed a fluorescent reporter at an eccDNA-prone locus of the yeast genome, CUP1. It is our hope that this reporter will contribute to a better understanding of eccDNA formation and amplification within a cell.

ContributorsKeal, Tula Ann (Author) / Wang, Xiao (Thesis director) / Tian, Xiaojun (Committee member) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2021-05
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Description
Social-emotional learning (SEL) methods are beginning to receive global attention in primary school education, yet the dominant emphasis on implementing these curricula is in high-income, urbanized areas. Consequently, the unique features of developing and integrating such methods in middle- or low-income rural areas are unclear. Past studies suggest that students

Social-emotional learning (SEL) methods are beginning to receive global attention in primary school education, yet the dominant emphasis on implementing these curricula is in high-income, urbanized areas. Consequently, the unique features of developing and integrating such methods in middle- or low-income rural areas are unclear. Past studies suggest that students exposed to SEL programs show an increase in academic performance, improved ability to cope with stress, and better attitudes about themselves, others, and school, but these curricula are designed with an urban focus. The purpose of this study was to conduct a needs-based analysis to investigate components specific to a SEL curriculum contextualized to rural primary schools. A promising organization committed to rural educational development is Barefoot College, located in Tilonia, Rajasthan, India. In partnership with Barefoot, we designed an ethnographic study to identify and describe what teachers and school leaders consider the highest needs related to their students' social and emotional education. To do so, we interviewed 14 teachers and school leaders individually or in a focus group to explore their present understanding of “social-emotional learning” and the perception of their students’ social and emotional intelligence. Analysis of this data uncovered common themes among classroom behaviors and prevalent opportunities to address social and emotional well-being among students. These themes translated into the three overarching topics and eight sub-topics explored throughout the curriculum, and these opportunities guided the creation of the 21 modules within it. Through a design-based research methodology, we developed a 40-hour curriculum by implementing its various modules within seven Barefoot classrooms alongside continuous reiteration based on teacher feedback and participant observation. Through this process, we found that student engagement increased during contextualized SEL lessons as opposed to traditional methods. In addition, we found that teachers and students preferred and performed better with an activities-based approach. These findings suggest that rural educators must employ particular teaching strategies when addressing SEL, including localized content and an experiential-learning approach. Teachers reported that as their approach to SEL shifted, they began to unlock the potential to build self-aware, globally-minded students. This study concludes that social and emotional education cannot be treated in a generalized manner, as curriculum development is central to the teaching-learning process.
ContributorsBucker, Delaney Sue (Author) / Carrese, Susan (Thesis director) / Barab, Sasha (Committee member) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor, Contributor) / School of Civic & Economic Thought and Leadership (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
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Description
Following the journey through the sewerage system, wastewater is subject to a series of purification procedures, prior to water reuse and disposal of the resultant sewage sludge. Biosolids, also known as treated sewage sludge, deemed fit for application on land, is a nutrient-rich, semisolid byproduct of biological wastewater treatment.

Following the journey through the sewerage system, wastewater is subject to a series of purification procedures, prior to water reuse and disposal of the resultant sewage sludge. Biosolids, also known as treated sewage sludge, deemed fit for application on land, is a nutrient-rich, semisolid byproduct of biological wastewater treatment. Technological progression in metagenomics has allowed for large-scale analysis of complex viral communities in a number of samples, including wastewater. Members of the Microviridae family are non-enveloped, ssDNA bacteriophages, and are known to infect enterobacteria. Members of the Genomoviridae family similarly are non-enveloped, ssDNA viruses, but are presumed to infect fungi rather than eubacteria. As these two families of viruses are not relatively documented and their diversity poorly classified, this study aimed to analyze the presence of genomoviruses and the diversity of microviruses in nine samples representative of wastewater in Arizona and other regions of the United States. Using a metagenomic approach, the nucleic acids of genomoviruses and microviruses were isolated, assembled into complete genomes, and characterized through visual analysis: a heat chart showing percent coverage for genomoviruses and a circular phylogenetic tree showing diversity of microviruses. The heat map results for the genomoviruses showed a large presence of 99 novel sequences in all nine wastewater samples. Additionally, the 535 novel microviruses displayed great diversity in the cladogram, both in terms of sub-family and isolation source. Further research should be conducted in order to classify the taxonomy of microviruses and the diversity of genomoviruses. Finally, this study suggests future exploration of the viral host, prior to entering the wastewater system.
ContributorsSchreck, Joshua Reuben (Author) / Varsani, Arvind (Thesis director) / Rolf, Halden (Committee member) / Misra, Rajeev (Committee member) / School of Film, Dance and Theatre (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
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Description
T cells, a component of the adaptive immune system, play an instrumental role in directing immune responses and direct cell killing in response to pathogens and cancers. T cells recognize and signal through the T cell receptor, a protein heterodimer on the surface of T cells. The T cell receptor

T cells, a component of the adaptive immune system, play an instrumental role in directing immune responses and direct cell killing in response to pathogens and cancers. T cells recognize and signal through the T cell receptor, a protein heterodimer on the surface of T cells. The T cell receptor is a highly variable structure formed via somatic recombination; the structure recognizes peptides presented on the surface of nucleated cells by major histocompatibility complex proteins in a specific receptor-restricted, peptide-restricted manner. This balance between T cell diversity and T cell specificity stands as a barrier to efficacious development of articificial T cell receptors capable of clearing disease. T cell receptors may be tailored to produce pathogen- or cancer-specific immune responses from autologous T cell populations. This necessitates a pipeline for amplification, cloning, and expression of antigen-specific T cell receptors. This study aims to utilize influenza-specific T cell receptor chains from healthy donor T cells to test a model for T cell receptor cloning and expression. This study utilizes Gateway recombination for high-throughput cloning into mammalian expression vectors. This study has successfully amplified and cloned T cell receptor chains from a population of influenza-specific T cells from donor cell transcripts into mammalian cell expression vectors. Additionally, CD8, a coreceptor for the T cell receptor complex, was successfully cloned and inserted into a vector for expression in mammalian cells. Sanger sequencing has confirmed sequences for influenza-specific T cell receptor chains and the CD8 chain. Future application of this project includes expression in mammalian non-T cells to test for efficacy of expression and, ultimately, expression in cytotoxic cells to create lymphocytes capable of antigen-specific recognition and cytolytic killing of cells of interest.
ContributorsVale, Nolan Richard (Author) / Anderson, Karen (Thesis director) / Blattman, Joseph (Committee member) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05