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Description
Magic has changed over the past several centuries in terms of how it shows up in people's lives and how it’s discussed: in the 21st-century modern-day, the term magic is used to describe illusions and unknown facts, whereas before magic was tied more into superstitions about higher beings and religion. Nevertheless, every culture has been influenced by magic. Even before travel and technology allowed information to be widespread, magic was a part of people’s lives, whether it be to protect a tribe on their hunt or a magician trying to earn a living. Even though secular magic is quite recent on the timeline of history, secular magic can still tap into the same feelings that non-secular magic has had on people. People try to understand what they can’t and deal with stressors in their lives in many ways, and magic in its various forms has provided this filler.
Throughout this paper, I’ll be discussing magic’s role as a bridge between cultures. I looked for various explanations of magic’s history and the impact it’s had on people throughout, to be able to compare by culture and over time, and how magic has served as cultural bridge, bringing people together, creating new conversations, and sparking similar emotions across all people such as awe and wonder.
ContributorsBregman, Maxwell (Author) / Ostling, Michael (Thesis director) / Edmonds, Larry (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
The present study was conducted in order to better understand how stuttering appears in bilingual Spanish-English (SE) speakers in Arizona. The primary purpose was to determine whether the frequencies and types of speech disfluencies that are produced by bilingual speakers vary depending on the language they are speaking in. In addition, the study attempted to determine whether there exists a variation of the frequencies or types of speech disfluencies that are produced by a bilingual speaker based on their approximate dominance of the language they are speaking in. For the purpose of the study, two elementary school children (2 boys, 7 and 10 years old), who were identified as diagnosed stutterers by a speech-language pathologist (SLP), were recruited and interviewed for 45 minutes. The two participants were identified as typically fluent in both English and Spanish from conversations with their parents and the pre-interview parental questionnaire in which their level of exposure to and approximate competence in each language was established. The interviews consisted of a speech and reading portion in both English and Spanish, in which spontaneous and non-spontaneous speech data was recorded. The results of the study indicate that there does seem to be a difference in the frequencies and types of speech disfluencies that appear depending on the language that a bilingual individual is speaking in. Additionally, there seems to be a relationship between approximate language dominance and the types or frequencies of speech disfluencies that are produced, however further research is recommended on this topic with a larger sample size of participants.
ContributorsKhakhanova, Anastasiya (Author) / Gradoville, Michael (Thesis director) / Daliri, Ayoub (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
This thesis explores how fundamental variables of business cycles influence commercial real estate cycles and investor behavior within them. Specifically, I address studies correlating key business cycle variables to commercial real estate cycles. Then, I address the Phoenix industrial real estate market and analyze whether or not the predicted or theorized consequences of the changes in the key business cycle variables impacted the Phoenix industrial real estate market. My findings on the topic provide valuable insight into the predictability of industrial real estate behavior throughout cycles, given the changes in fundamental economic variables of business cycles. Specifically, it demonstrates how the Phoenix industrial real estate market has historically behaved in correlation to business cycles and their variables. My findings also highlight the importance of observing the Phoenix market’s continued response to changes in the macro-economy.
ContributorsAronowitz, Ethan (Author) / Stapp, Mark (Thesis director) / Koblenz, Blair (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
The primary goal of our nonprofit organization, Plant-ED, is to deepen the average individual’s knowledge regarding sustainability and to inspire our users to engage in a community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for sustainability. To accomplish this vision, we have created a digital platform where users can easily find information on upcoming events, activities, and alternative products that truly embody a mindset of sustainability. Our team will be the main and constant source of content for our website, however our users are also able to interact with the website through blog posts and subscriptions. Additionally, our platform has a section dedicated to explaining the impact of recycling and shows the devastating effects if humans do not take accountability for their choices and develop more sustainable habits. The ultimate goal for our website is for it to be a place where we can promote our partners’ products which are either alternatives to unsustainable products or companies who donate some of their proceeds to help create a greener world. The profit from the commission we receive from our partners and subscription services will be reinvested into expanding our digital platform and partnerships.
ContributorsMahoney, Emma (Author) / Weiderhoft, Isabella (Co-author) / Meyers, Zoe (Co-author) / Smith, Connor (Co-author) / Byrne, Jared (Thesis director) / Balven, Rachel (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
This study evaluates the level of human papillomavirus (HPV) awareness and knowledge among students and healthcare workers at Arizona State University (ASU). The significance of understanding HPV awareness and knowledge is paramount in the context of global public health as HPV is the most commonly sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States and can cause various health conditions, most notably cervical cancer. This study employed an anonymous, cross-sectional survey design to test for HPV awareness and knowledge among ASU students and healthcare workers. It most notably found that while approximately 90% of students are aware of HPV as a potential STI, only 54% are aware that HPV can cause various warts, only 30% are aware that HPV can cause six types of cancers, only 61% have been and/or know someone who has been vaccinated against HPV, and 80% have never been tested for HPV. Data was unable to be collected from healthcare workers on campus due to logistical conflicts with ASU Health Services. Overall, the study showed general awareness of HPV among ASU students but less functional knowledge about HPV, such as the health conditions it can cause, that could play a part in prevention behaviors, most notably with getting vaccinated and tested. While this study is a good start and baseline for ASU, it should be noted that it may not be entirely reflective of the university as a whole due to the majority of participants being white, cis, and female, so future work for data collection and subsequent outreach prevention programs is recommended to be complete.
ContributorsEsquerra, Sebastian (Author) / Quezada, Blanca (Thesis director) / Leaver, Jill (Committee member) / Ackerley, Hunter (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
The social determinants of drug use are critical factors that influence patterns of substance use across urban and rural populations. This paper explores these determinants by comparing the prevalence and types of drug use within these diverse environments, drawing upon data and insights from recent studies. In urban areas, the variety and availability of drugs, coupled with socioeconomic disparities and cultural diversity, lead to distinct patterns of drug use. Conversely, rural areas face challenges like limited healthcare access and higher rates of prescription opioid misuse, often exacerbated by economic and social isolation. Significant differences in the social fabric between urban and rural settings influence drug use behaviors. Urban environments, characterized by dense populations and a wide array of available substances, report higher incidences of cocaine, heroin, and synthetic drug use. These areas often benefit from more extensive healthcare services but also face challenges such as higher levels of homelessness and crime, influencing substance use patterns. In contrast, rural areas deal with issues such as limited healthcare services and greater social stigma, which can deter individuals from seeking help, thus perpetuating cycles of substance abuse. This study underscores the importance of understanding the social determinants of health as they pertain to drug use. Factors like socioeconomic status, education, age, religion, gender, and sexual orientation play significant roles in shaping these patterns. By addressing these root causes through targeted public health interventions and policies, it is possible to effectively mitigate the impact of drug use across both urban and rural landscapes. This approach not only aids in substance abuse prevention but also ensures that interventions are equitable and culturally sensitive, thereby improving public health outcomes for diverse populations. The findings highlight the need for comprehensive strategies that consider both the unique and shared challenges faced by urban and rural communities in managing drug use. This nuanced understanding is crucial for developing interventions that are not only effective but also inclusive, addressing the broader social and economic dynamics that contribute to substance abuse.
ContributorsBahl, Shivani (Author) / Smith, Lisa (Thesis director) / Daniulaityte, Raminta (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / School of Human Evolution & Social Change (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
Extinction of experience is a phenomenon characterized by a decline in people’s contact with nature and impoverishment of local wildlife, which can result in negative changes in human attitudes towards the environment and overall well-being. In this study, I piloted a survey and an interview with my own immediate and extended family members to gain insight regarding specific nature experiences, including the factors that may inhibit such experiences. Through interviews, I found that many respondents were uncertain whether their own backyards counted as a nature space; if so, this significantly impacts their reported frequency and duration or time spent outdoors. The inclusion of yard spaces as nature spaces may therefore be necessary to fully understand the diverse nature experiences of a community.
ContributorsEscobedo, Isabella (Author) / Hall, Sharon (Thesis director) / Minteer, Ben (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found organically in psychedelic mushrooms, is currently classified as a Schedule I drug with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Schedule I classification regulations on psilocybin largely makes doing significant research infeasible due to bureaucratic and financial barriers. Despite this classification, some researchers have studied the impact of ingesting psilocybin as a means of treating mental disorders and other conditions. Current and past research shows promising results for psilocybin’s ability to alleviate symptoms associated with mental disorders while also having a low abuse potential. In the interest of public benefit for the discovery of novel treatments and insight into brain function, psilocybin must be redesignated to allow for more extensive research in order to determine its therapeutic potential.
ContributorsPuttick, Jessica (Author) / Zarazua, Cristal (Co-author) / Rigoni, Adam (Thesis director) / Fong, Benjamin (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Complex Adaptive Systems (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
Abstract: With the advent of the prophet Muhammad in the seventh century CE, Arabia was unified under a single state. Such a historical development is essential to understand and appreciate. The life and career of the Prophet has been analyzed by both Muslims and non-Muslims alike. There is generally a lot of overlap between both groups of interpretations. However, the hierarchy of contributing factors to the unification of Arabia remains controversial. In my thesis, I put forth the significance of the Islamic religious teachings in this process of unification and centralization of power.
ContributorsKhatib, Ahmad (Author) / Liew, Han (Thesis director) / Kefeli, Agnes (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Historical, Philosophical & Religious Studies, Sch (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
This world promises just one thing: continuous change. As humanity has moved through time much has changed in the worlds of science, mathematics, and physics. These shifts in humanity's comprehension often arrive unexpectedly, driven by education, innovation, and experimentation. Such transformative waves resemble a series of technology shocks that are known to cause significant disruptions within an industry and the economy broadly as firms permanently change the ways they produce and distribute goods and services in response to new technologies or information. The recent flurry of innovation and interest in Artificial Intelligence leads us to believe that many industries may be experiencing such a wave of change today. The healthcare industry currently employs the most workers of any other sector in the United States (outside of the government) and is made up of an unprecedented 77% of female workers making the outcomes of changes in its labor market demands particularly important. In this paper we discuss the current state of Artificial Intelligence adoption within the clinical side of healthcare, what sub sectors and occupations are most exposed, and to what extent the FDA approved AI-enabled clinical healthcare products replace or complement those tasks of existing occupations. We also interviewed a few healthcare professionals with different levels of seniority and exposure to AI-enabled products to develop a holistic understanding of current AI adoption, employee preparation, and potential labor market implications over the short and long term. We find that AI implementation within clinical healthcare settings is young in its life cycle yet fast growing. Current use cases are mostly in the earlier stages of the patient’s care journey assisting workers in various capacities in the processes of patient testing, diagnosis, care planning, and post-treatment monitoring. The tasks associated with patient interaction and care administration do not appear to be threatened by AI automation at this point in time. Additionally, approved Artificial Intelligence products for clinical use are disproportionately concentrated in the subsectors of radiology, neurology, and cardiology. Finally, our interviews revealed a concerning lack of consideration and preparation, among healthcare workers, for the potential automation of their fundamental tasks. Going forward, we believe it wise for healthcare workers to monitor the evolution of clinical AI use cases as well as the FDA approval of AI-enabled products and prepare for potential automation by continuing to learn new skills, take on additional responsibilities, and generally inject themselves into as many stages of the patient’s healthcare journey as possible to differentiate among other workers and avoid the coming wave of mass clinical automation.
ContributorsDolasinski, Nicholas (Author) / McElenney, Nicholas (Co-author) / Mehta, Ari (Thesis director) / Asheim, Brody (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Department of Economics (Contributor)
Created2024-05