Filtering by
- Creators: School of Life Sciences
Mesoscale eddies are important features in the Sargasso Sea that can increase or decrease the available nutrients in the euphotic zone. Two different mesoscale eddies were sampled: an anti-cyclonic eddy and the BATS station which was located at the edge of a cyclonic eddy. The results indicated that BATS had overall higher instantaneous growth (µ between 0.1 d-1 and 3.7 d-1) and grazing rates on pico- and nanophytoplankton, as well as diatoms, compared to the anti-cyclonic eddy (µ between 0.2 d-1 and 3 d-1). I also determined taxon-specific rates using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for the order Mamiellales, one of the smallest representatives of the abundant prasinophytes. This method yielded surprisingly high growth (9.7 d-1 ) and grazing rates (-8.2 d-1) at 80m for BATS. The euphotic zone (~100m) integrated biomass of all phytoplankton did not vary significantly between BATS (379 mg C m-2) and the anti-cyclonic eddy (408 mg C m-2) and the net growth rates at both locations were very close to zero for most of the groups. Although the biomass and net growth rates did not vary greatly between the two locations, the high instantaneous growth and grazing rates of pico- and nano-eukaryotic phytoplankton indicate an increase in the rate of the marine microbial food web, or microbial loop, compared to the anti-cyclonic eddy. This could have been due to the input of new nutrients in the edge of the cyclonic eddy at BATS. Thus, my study suggests that mesoscale variability is of considerable importance for the dynamics of the phytoplankton community and their role in the microbial loop. Much can be learned when using DNA based taxon-specific rates, especially to understand the relative importance and contribution of specific taxa.
More taxon-specific molecular studies will have to be carried out to quantify specific rates of more phytoplankton groups, which will supply a more complete knowledge of phytoplankton community dynamics in the Sargasso Sea. This will increase our understanding of the role of specific groups to the biological carbon dynamics in the euphotic zone into the deep ocean.
Differences between basic and applied research were explored through a wet-lab case study. Vaccinia virus (VACV) infections are a prime model of the competition between a virus and its host. VACV contains a gene that is highly evasive of the host immune system, gene E3L. The protein encoded by E3L is E3, which contains two highly conserved regions, a C-terminus, and a N-terminus. While the C-terminus is well-understood, the mechanism by which the N-terminus grants IFN resistance was previously unknown. This project demonstrated that the N-terminus prevents the initiation of programmed necrosis through host-encoded cellular proteins RIP3 and DAI. These findings provide insight into the function of the N-terminus of E3, as well as the unique functions of induced programmed necrosis.
This project was an example of “basic” research. However, it highlights the interconnectivity of basic and applied research and the danger in isolating both projects and perspectives. It points to the difficult decisions that must be made in science, and the need for a better research classification system that considers what makes science “good” outside of antiquated social class ideologies that have shaped science since ancient Greece. While there are no easy answers to determine what makes research “good,” thinking critically about the types of research projects that will be pursued, and the effects that research has on both science and society, will raise awareness, initiate new conversations, and encourage more dialogue about science in the 21st century.
This project aimed to identify barriers to participation and develop strategies to increase the accessibility of a diabetes prevention program in the Latino community. Surveys were administered to past participants of a randomized control trial at a community event where study results were shared. The top concerns expressed by respondents were related to the use of personal information. Primary barriers to participation included work/school commitments and transportation issues. Strategies to increase accessibility included providing flexible class times, having bilingual research staff, and using multiple forms of community outreach such as flyers, health events, phone calls, texts, and social media. Expanding community partners was also identified as a primary strategy for increasing program reach. Researchers should focus on addressing confidentiality concerns, providing financial compensation for attendance, flexible scheduling, and utilizing diverse outreach methods to enhance access to diabetes prevention programs in the Latino community
Due to what is known as the “biologically desert fallacy” and the pervasive westernized ideal of wilderness that has influenced widespread American Conservation culture for millennia, urban areas have long been deemed as areas devoid of biodiversity. However, cities can contribute significantly to regional biodiversity and provide vital niches for wildlife, illuminating the growing awareness that cities are crucial to the future of conservation and combating the global biodiversity crisis. In terms of the biodiversity crisis, bats are a relevant species of concern. In many studies, different bat species have been broadly classified according to their ability to adapt to urban environments. There is evidence that urban areas can filter bat species based on traits and behavior, with many bats possessing traits that do not allow them to live in cities. The three broad categories are urban avoiders, urban adapters, or urban exploiters based upon where their abundance is highest along a gradient of urban intensity. A common example of an urban exploiter bat is a Mexican Free-tailed bat, which can thrive and rely on urban environments and it is found in the Phoenix Metropolitan area. Bats are important as even in urban environments they play vital ecological roles such as cactus pollination, insect management, and seed dispersal. Bat Crazy is a thesis project focused on urban enhancement and the field of urban biodiversity. The goals of this thesis are to observe how bio-conscious urban cities that work to promote species conservation can serve as a positive tool to promote biodiversity and foster community education and engagement for their urban environment.
The purpose of this study is to determine how Costa Rica supports human trafficking survivors, with a focus on the implementation of trauma-informed care within their efforts. This exploratory study examines services provided by one non-profit to human trafficking victims in Costa Rica and how their services reflect trauma-informed care practices. Research has shown that implementing a trauma-informed approach improves the quality of and receptiveness to care for individuals who have experienced trauma, including victims of human trafficking. For this thesis, qualitative-based field research was conducted in San Jose, Costa Rica. During the research process, interviews with service providers, legal professionals, and experts in the field were conducted. These interviews served to gather information on human trafficking in the country, victimization, services available for human trafficking survivors, trauma-informed care practices, and social/cultural, economic, legal, and Covid-19 related barriers that may prevent victims from seeking services or services from being provided in Costa Rica. A pre-determined set of interview questions was asked to each interviewee and this thesis is an analysis of the interview findings. This study was approved by the Arizona State University Institutional Review Board (see Appendix A). The findings indicate that Costa Rica is actively implementing trauma-informed care among the services provided to human trafficking survivors but can improve some of the practices in certain components of trauma-informed care to better enhance its implementation and thus benefit to clients and service providers.