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- Creators: Barrett, The Honors College
- Creators: Kavazanjian, Edward
- Creators: Allenby, Braden
Description
Behavior of males and females may be mediated by their biological differences and, among cercopithecines, their divergent reproductive strategies. In order to have high reproductive success, individuals need to produce high quality offspring. Through pregnancy, lactation, and maternal care, females have a strong influence on the quality of their offspring. Within the cercopithecine mating system, males are limited in direct influence on offspring outcomes within the Cercopithecines, and are adapted to more typically maximize mating opportunities. In general, female reproductive strategies involve securing the most food while male reproductive strategies are geared towards helping them secure the most fertile females both somatically and behaviorally. In this paper, I investigated how the behaviors observed among female adolescent rhesus macaque monkeys would differ from the males as their divergent reproductive trajectories begin to manifest. I made predictions based off of four questions: who would be more affiliative with whom, who would be more aggressive and with whom, who would be more variable in their behaviors, and who would be lonelier. I predicted that females would be more affiliative with other females, due to the importance of social connectivity, and males would be more affiliative with males, due to the social bonds male adolescents form with each other. I predicted that males would be overall more aggressive than males because they were found to be by Bernstein et al. (1993). I predicted that males would show more variation in behavior since they may have to be more flexible to capitalize on all conditions to obtain mates. Finally, I predicted that males would be lonelier as an effect of social rank on males and female choice. In order to further understand these differences, 36 adolescent Macaca mulatta, N = 20 female and N=16 male, from the California Primate Center at University of California at Davis, CA were observed. The observer used a standardized method to score the subjects on a variety of behaviors like locomotion, aggression, grooming and more. Each individual underwent around 6 trials and the observations lasted 15 minutes. The data supported the first hypothesis that females are affiliative with each other and males are affiliative with each other. The date also showed that females are more aggressive than males and their aggression is generally targeted towards females. The third prediction was not supported by the data and females were actually more variable in their behaviors than males. Lastly, the data did not support the prediction that males are lonely moneys, however, it did support the alternative hypothesis that they are truly low sociable, low in sociability and low social connectivity.
ContributorsVasquez Urias, Rubi (Author) / Hinde, Katie (Thesis director) / Johnson, Caley (Committee member) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / School of Human Evolution and Social Change (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumor in adults and is linked to poor survival in affected patients due to its invasive and aggressive nature. The potential role of sexual dimorphism in GBM outcomes has long been overlooked. Notably, males and females differ in tumor behavior across many cancers1, which may be attributable to differences in genetic makeup and physiology, and in GBM there is a difference in incidence rate between males and females. The aim of the study was to investigate sex differences in GBM patients and compare median survival outcomes (OS) and progression-free survival outcomes (PFS) between sexes based on tumor location, laterality, age, tumor volume, and extent of resection. Patients who received standard-of-care (Stupp protocol) consisting of surgical intervention, concomitant chemoradiation, and 6 cycles of adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ) were included in this study to investigate sex differences in tumor characteristics (n = 216; males: n = 129, females: n = 87). Pre-surgical MRIs, specifically T1Gd sequences, were analyzed to determine tumor laterality and location. The patient cohort was divided into two groups indicating the extent of resection (EOR) they received: Gross Total Resection (GTR) and Subtotal Resection (STR). Additionally, the patient cohort was split into three age groups (Group I: 18-29, Group II: 30-49, and Group III: >50). Analyses were done using independent t-test and Cox proportional hazard modeling to determine which variables affect patient survival. The log-rank test was utilized to compare differences in survival rate in Kaplan-Meier analysis.
Overall, our results suggest that female patients receiving standard-of-care may have a better prognosis than male patients. There was a significant difference in OS and PFS in females showing an increase in survival. Additionally, survival was significantly different between sexes following resection, with female patients receiving STR or GTR having longer OS and PFS than males. The difference in median OS between sexes is more pronounced among younger patients. Among five different brain locations, female patients who possess a frontal lobe tumor may live longer than male patients. The apparent difference in OS for patients living >1000 days in the Kaplan-Meier plot warrants further investigation in a larger cohort. Following tumor resection, female patients with a frontal lobe tumor may survive longer in comparison to male patients. Comparing brain hemispheres, patients who possessed a tumor on the left may survive longer. Investigating tumor location and tumor laterality, our results suggests that female patients with a left frontal lobe tumor show a significant survival advantage in comparison to females who possess a right frontal lobe tumor.
ContributorsLorence, Julia (Author) / Swanson, Kristin (Thesis director) / Massey, Susan Christine (Committee member) / Rubin, Joshua (Committee member) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
Abstract Although sending mobile phone text messages, or texting as many people call it, is a very common form of communication, it is still a fairly new technology. Because of this, there is not a great deal of research on it. This study seeks to discover how young adults use texting for relational maintenance as well as study equity, closeness, and to discover sex/gender differences. Data was collected through an online survey. Students were offered extra credit for taking this survey, however some students took the survey with no direct benefit to themselves. Scales were created based on the scales of previous research and modified for texting. Results indicated that texting is used for relational maintenance and there was a significant correlation between using maintenance strategies through texting and closeness. In addition, there were significant correlations between the use of maintenance strategies and equity as well as being underbenefited, however, no correlation was found between the use of relational maintenance strategies and overbenefitedness. Finally, results indicated that sex differences were very minor, the only sex difference was that women use positivity more than men. Gender differences accounted for much more differences in that while femininity was partially associated with the use of relational maintenance strategies, there was a much stronger correlation between the strategies and masculinity. Direction for future research is assessed.
ContributorsAhlstrom, Sydney Bow (Author) / Guerrero, Laura (Thesis director) / Martin, Judith (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Hugh Downs School of Human Communication (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
Substance abuse disorder is a debilitating condition characterized by recurring drug-seeking behaviors and high rates of relapse. In male rats, this tendency to engage in drug-seeking behavior can be inhibited by environmental enrichment (EE) during abstinence. We have shown previously that cocaine-seeking behavior is associated with an increase in addiction-related genes such as Arc and CamkIIa and a decrease in the microRNA miR-495. We have also shown that miR-495 inhibits expression of Arc and CamkIIa post-transcriptionally. Therefore, we hypothesize that reduced cocaine-seeking behavior in EE female rats is associated with a downregulation of these addiction-related genes as well as an upregulation of miR-495 in the NAc shell. Based on previous studies that highlight differences between male and female motivation for cocaine, we also hypothesize that EE will not affect female motivation for cocaine as robustly as males. After acquiring cocaine through self-administration, females were assigned to either an enriched environment (EE) condition or an isolated condition, where they remained during abstinence. They were then given a one-hour cue-reactivity test, during which cocaine-seeking behavior differed significantly between the EE and isolated groups. We also found that the addiction-related genes Arc and CamkIIa were downregulated in the NAc core of EE females. Future research is needed to examine the role of miR-495 in these changes in behavior and gene expression. Overall, the results suggest that EE is protective against relapse to cocaine-seeking in females and may normalize the dysregulation of genes by cocaine.
ContributorsSt Peter, Madeleine Kay (Author) / Neisewander, Janet (Thesis director) / Newbern, Jason (Committee member) / Powell, Gregory (Committee member) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-05
Description
Currently conventional Subtitle D landfills are the primary means of disposing of our waste in the United States. While this method of waste disposal aims at protecting the environment, it does so through the use of liners and caps that effectively freeze the breakdown of waste. Because this method can keep landfills active, and thus a potential groundwater threat for over a hundred years, I take an in depth look at the ability of bioreactor landfills to quickly stabilize waste. In the thesis I detail the current state of bioreactor landfill technologies, assessing the pros and cons of anaerobic and aerobic bioreactor technologies. Finally, with an industrial perspective, I conclude that moving on to bioreactor landfills as an alternative isn't as simple as it may first appear, and that it is a contextually specific solution that must be further refined before replacing current landfills.
ContributorsWhitten, George Avery (Author) / Kavazanjian, Edward (Thesis director) / Allenby, Braden (Committee member) / Houston, Sandra (Committee member) / Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering Programs (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2013-05
Description
Hyper-arousal theory presumes that experiencing trauma can increase one’s sense of fight or flight responses or generalized sense of arousability (Riemann et al., 2010). While this theory has been examined in studies regarding insomnia (e.g. Schwandt et al., 2013) it has yet to be examine with dysregulated drinking outcomes such as impaired control over alcohol use. Impaired control over alcohol use (IC) reflects drinking beyond one’s own self-proscribed limits for one’s own drinking behaviors (Heather et al., 1993). According to multiple review papers on the topic (Leeman et al., 2012; 2014), IC is an understudied topic regarding alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Thus, we sought to explore a pathway from facets of childhood trauma (emotional, physical, & sexual abuse, & neglect) versus a supportive family to arousability to drinking outcomes (i.e. IC, alcohol use, & alcohol-related problems). Method: We fit a multiple-group structural equation model with 835 (368 women/ 467 men) university student volunteers. As our model failed the overall invariance test, χ2Δ (20 df) = 55.788, p < .001, we allowed our hypothesized model to moderate on sex. Results: The direct link from sexual abuse to both IC and alcohol-related-problems was stronger for men than women. Emotional abuse was directly linked to higher levels of arousability among women, whereas an emotionally supportive family was related to lesser degrees of arousability among men. Impaired control mediated the indirect link between higher levels of arousability and alcohol use for both sexes. Impaired control also mediated the indirect link between physical neglect and alcohol-related problems among both sexes. Higher levels of emotional abuse were indirectly linked to both more alcohol use & problems through increased arousability and in turn, more IC among women. Higher levels of sexual abuse were indirectly linked to more alcohol problems through higher degrees of impaired control among men. Conclusions: We found evidence in favor of the Hyper-arousability Theory regarding dysregulated drinking with a direct link between arousability and IC. While physical neglect appears to affect both sexes drinking behaviors, emotional abuse may play a stronger role for women than men, while sexual abuse may play a stronger role among men.
ContributorsOng, Annie (Author) / Patock-Peckham, Julie (Thesis director) / Infurna, Frank (Committee member) / McClure, Samuel (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor)
Created2021-12
Characterization and Manipulation of Microbiomes From Arid Landfills for Improved Methane Production
Description
Environmentally harmful byproducts from solid waste’s decomposition, including methane (CH4) emissions, are managed through standardized landfill engineering and gas-capture mechanisms. Yet only a limited number of studies have analyzed the development and composition of Bacteria and Archaea involved in CH4 production from landfills. The objectives of this research were to compare microbiomes and bioactivity from CH4-producing communities in contrasting spatial areas of arid landfills and to tests a new technology to biostimulate CH4 production (methanogenesis) from solid waste under dynamic environmental conditions controlled in the laboratory. My hypothesis was that the diversity and abundance of methanogenic Archaea in municipal solid waste (MSW), or its leachate, play an important role on CH4 production partially attributed to the group’s wide hydrogen (H2) consumption capabilities. I tested this hypothesis by conducting complementary field observations and laboratory experiments. I describe niches of methanogenic Archaea in MSW leachate across defined areas within a single landfill, while demonstrating functional H2-dependent activity. To alleviate limited H2 bioavailability encountered in-situ, I present biostimulant feasibility and proof-of-concepts studies through the amendment of zero valent metals (ZVMs). My results demonstrate that older-aged MSW was minimally biostimulated for greater CH4 production relative to a control when exposed to iron (Fe0) or manganese (Mn0), due to highly discernable traits of soluble carbon, nitrogen, and unidentified fluorophores found in water extracts between young and old aged, starting MSW. Acetate and inhibitory H2 partial pressures accumulated in microcosms containing old-aged MSW. In a final experiment, repeated amendments of ZVMs to MSW in a 600 day mesocosm experiment mediated significantly higher CH4 concentrations and yields during the first of three ZVM injections. Fe0 and Mn0 experimental treatments at mesocosm-scale also highlighted accelerated development of seemingly important, but elusive Archaea including Methanobacteriaceae, a methane-producing family that is found in diverse environments. Also, prokaryotic classes including Candidatus Bathyarchaeota, an uncultured group commonly found in carbon-rich ecosystems, and Clostridia; All three taxa I identified as highly predictive in the time-dependent progression of MSW decomposition. Altogether, my experiments demonstrate the importance of H2 bioavailability on CH4 production and the consistent development of Methanobacteriaceae in productive MSW microbiomes.
ContributorsReynolds, Mark Christian (Author) / Cadillo-Quiroz, Hinsby (Thesis advisor) / Krajmalnik-Brown, Rosa (Thesis advisor) / Wang, Xuan (Committee member) / Kavazanjian, Edward (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2022
Description
Zero-Valent Metals (ZVM) are highly reactive materials and have been proved to be effective in contaminant reduction in soils and groundwater remediation. In fact, zero-Valent Iron (ZVI) has proven to be very effective in removing, particularly chlorinated organics, heavy metals, and odorous sulfides. Addition of ZVI has also been proved in enhancing the methane gas generation in anaerobic digestion of activated sludge. However, no studies have been conducted regarding the effect of ZVM stimulation to Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) degradation. Therefore, a collaborative study was developed to manipulate microbial activity in the landfill bioreactors to favor methane production by adding ZVMs. This study focuses on evaluating the effects of added ZVM on the leachate generated from replicated lab scale landfill bioreactors. The specific objective was to investigate the effects of ZVMs addition on the organic and inorganic pollutants in leachate. The hypothesis here evaluated was that adding ZVM including ZVI and Zero Valent Manganese (ZVMn) will enhance the removal rates of the organic pollutants present in the leachate, likely by a putative higher rate of microbial metabolism. Test with six (4.23 gallons) bioreactors assembled with MSW collected from the Salt River Landfill and Southwest Regional Landfill showed that under 5 grams /liter of ZVI and 0.625 grams/liter of ZVMn additions, no significant difference was observed in the pH and temperature data of the leachate generated from these reactors. The conductivity data suggested the steady rise across all reactors over the period of time. The removal efficiency of sCOD was highest (27.112 mg/lit/day) for the reactors added with ZVMn at the end of 150 days for bottom layer, however the removal rate was highest (16.955 mg/lit/day) for ZVI after the end of 150 days of the middle layer. Similar trends in the results was observed in TC analysis. HPLC study indicated the dominance of the concentration of heptanoate and isovalerate were leachate generated from the bottom layer across all reactors. Heptanoate continued to dominate in the ZVMn added leachate even after middle layer injection. IC analysis concluded the chloride was dominant in the leachate generated from all the reactors and there was a steady increase in the chloride content over the period of time. Along with chloride, fluoride, bromide, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate and sulfate were also detected in considerable concentrations. In the summary, the addition of the zero valent metals has proved to be efficient in removal of the organics present in the leachate.
ContributorsPandit, Gandhar Abhay (Author) / Cadillo – Quiroz, Hinsby (Thesis advisor) / Olson, Larry (Thesis advisor) / Boyer, Treavor (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2019
Description
Consequences of drug abuse and addiction affect both men and women, but women tend to rapidly progress through drug addiction phases, have higher drug dependency, and have higher relapse rates. Ovarian hormones fluctuate with female reproductive cycles and are thought to cause increased sensitivity to psychostimulants. Additionally, intermittent social defeat stress induces social avoidance, weight loss, and long-lasting cross-sensitization to psychostimulants, which is associated with increased FosB/ΔFosB expression in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell. In this study, we examined the estrous cycle in female rats on social defeat stress-induced amphetamine cross-sensitization through FosB/ΔFosB expression in the NAc shell. Every third day for ten days, we induced social defeat stress in rats through short confrontations with a lactating female resident rat and her pups. In parallel, a group of rats were handled for control. Vaginal swabs were taken daily to assess estrous stage. Ten days after the last stress exposure, rats were administered a low dose of amphetamine (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.), which induced cross-sensitization in stressed rats, evidenced by enhanced locomotor activity. Approximately 3-10 days after amphetamine challenge, brain tissue was collected for immunohistochemistry analyses. Stressed female rats had lower body weight gain, higher social avoidance, and increased FosB/ΔFosB expression in the NAc shell. Differences in FosB/ΔFosB expression in the NAc shell was also observed in handled animals in different estrous stages. Furthermore, rats in proestrous/estrous stages displayed enhanced social defeat stress-induced amphetamine cross-sensitization in comparison to rats in metestrous/diestrous stages. Elucidating the effects of the female reproductive cycle on drug use may provide a novel approach to treatments or therapies in preventing women’s stress-induced vulnerability to substance abuse.
ContributorsAzuma, Alyssa (Author) / Neisewander, Janet (Thesis director) / Nikulina, Ella (Thesis director) / Hammer, Ronald (Committee member) / School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences (Contributor) / Watts College of Public Service & Community Solut (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a widespread mood disorder that affects more than 300 million people worldwide and yet, high relapse rates persist. This current study aimed to use an animal model for depression, unpredictable intermittent restraint (UIR), to investigate changes in a subset of neurons within the hippocampus, a region of high susceptibility in MDD. Adult male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four treatment groups based on sex (n = 48, n = 12/group). Half of the rats underwent UIR that involved restraint with orbital shaking (30 min or 1 h) for 2-6 consecutive days, followed by one or two days of no stressors; the other half of the rats were undisturbed (CON). UIR rats were stressed for 28 days (21 days of actual stressors) before behavioral testing began with UIR continuing between testing days for nearly 70 days. Rats were then euthanized between 9 and 11 days after the last UIR session. Brains were processed for Golgi stain and long-shaft (LS) neurons within the hippocampal CA3a and CA3b regions were quantified for dendritic complexity using a Camera Lucida attachment. Our findings failed to support our hypothesis that UIR would produce apical dendritic retraction in CA3 hippocampal LS neurons in both males and females. Given that UIR failed to produce CA3 apical dendritic retraction in males, which is commonly observed in the literature, we discuss several reasons for these findings including, time from the end of UIR to when brains were sampled, and the effects of repeated cognitive testing. Given our published findings that UIR impaired spatial ability in males, but not females, we believe that UIR holds validity as a chronic stress paradigm, as UIR attenuated body weight gain in both males and females and produced reductions in thymus gland weight in UIR males. These findings corroborate UIR as an effective stressor in males and warrant further research into the timing of UIR-induced changes in hippocampal CA3 apical dendritic morphology.
ContributorsReynolds, Cindy Marie (Author) / Conrad, Cheryl D. (Thesis director) / Olive, M. Foster (Committee member) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor) / Department of English (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-12