Matching Items (441)
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 changes in humanity's understanding of the world often come in quick unsuspecting waves of education, innovation, and experimentation. Such waves can be thought of as a series of technology shocks which 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 the new technologies or information. The recent flurry of innovation and interest into 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, of the potential automation of their fundamental tasks. Going forward, we believe it believe 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 automation.
ContributorsMehta, Ari (Author) / Asheim, Brody (Co-author) / Dolasinski, Nicholas (Thesis director) / McElenney, Nicholas (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Human Evolution & Social Change (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
The flute is a unique instrument for a multitude of reasons. Culturally, the flute has existed for centuries and spanned continents. Musically, it is unlike other woodwind instruments in that it requires no reed to produce sound. Physically, the acoustical properties of the flute follow that of an open organ pipe and there are numerous variables that can affect the flute's sound. By gaining a fundamental understanding of the history of the flute, the physics of music, and how a flute produces sound, we can begin to look at these variables, such as material, bore, and size, and understand the physics behind the flute and piccolo. This knowledge can then be applied to our own analysis of flute and piccolo playing to examine if these conclusions hold true.
ContributorsConnolly, Grace (Author) / Foy, Joseph (Thesis director) / Hannon, Mikaela (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Physics (Contributor) / School of Social Transformation (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
Skin elasticity, a key indicator of skin health, is influenced by various factors including diet and body composition. This study, led by Myka Williams as part of her Barrett, The Honors College Thesis Project at Arizona State University under the guidance of Dr. Carol Johnston and Dr. Sandy Mayol-Kreiser, investigates the relationship between diet—specifically vegetarian and omnivorous patterns—and skin elasticity. Utilizing the ElastiMeter from Delfin Technologies, we assessed the skin elasticity of 38 individuals from the ASU community. Our findings revealed no significant difference in skin elasticity between the dietary groups. However, intriguing correlations emerged between participants' Body Mass Index (BMI) and skin elasticity. These initial findings suggest the potential influence of body composition on skin health, warranting further research with additional parameters to strengthen and expand upon these observations.
ContributorsWilliams, Myka (Author) / Johnston, Carol (Thesis director) / Mayol-Kreiser, Sandy (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / School of Human Evolution & Social Change (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
Examining the effect of various factors such as class, gender, and status on health inequalities in India is crucial for improving access to health services. However, most research on castes in India is done using broad, government-defined categories, including “Scheduled Castes,” “Scheduled Tribes,” “Forward Classes,” and “Other Backwards Classes.” These general categories erase the experiences that more specific caste groups have in their health and their livelihood. Using the 2015-2016 Demographic and Health Survey of India, this study analyzes data on 699,686 women aged 15-49 to investigate the association of socioeconomic status, assessed by wealth, education, and community status on two types of contraceptive use–sterilization and other modern methods. Those with secondary education or higher were much less likely to be sterilized and more likely to use non-sterilization forms of modern contraception. Interestingly, those with greater household wealth were more likely to be sterilized but had no different chance of using non-sterilization forms of modern contraception. After controlling for other socioeconomic factors, members of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes are more likely to be sterilized. However, there was additional heterogeneity between groups, with Muslim groups and Northeastern tribes much less likely to be sterilized, and Southern tribes more likely to be sterilized. Moreover, Muslim groups as well as Northern and Northeastern tribes were more likely to use non-sterilizations forms of contraception, whereas Southern tribes were less likely to use non-sterilization forms of contraception. These findings illustrate that in addition to differences by major caste categories, there is still religious and regional variation in the likelihood of using different forms of contraception. Future research should examine how unique community factors erased within the already present government caste system can affect health. In addition, more research should be done on the various effects of discrimination faced by these communities and how this discrimination affects their health education, access, and autonomy.
ContributorsChandra, Natasha (Author) / Hruschka, Daniel (Thesis director) / Drake, Alexandria (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Human Evolution & Social Change (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (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
This project is a zine about the histories of the feminist self-help movement and the Treatment and Data Committee of ACT UP during the AIDS crisis. It also includes an interview with Peter Rodriguez, an original ACT UP NYC member. The zine explores these movements' connection to citizen science, layperson expertise, and knowledge production.
ContributorsZelinka, Audrey (Author) / Nelson, Elizabeth (Thesis director) / Brian, Jennifer (Committee member) / Boyles, David (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / School of Human Evolution & Social Change (Contributor) / Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
As the number of mental health cases presenting in American EDs increases, psychiatric patients end up spending hours and sometimes days in the ED awaiting transfer to psychiatric treatment facilities. In Maricopa County, Arizona’s largest county by population, data from the healthcare delivery sector is used to assess the status, needs, and gaps of the wider crisis mental health system.
ContributorsJensen, Spencer (Author) / Wilson, Natalia (Thesis director) / Cortese, Denis (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / Department of Physics (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
Our project seeks to educate students on the phenomenon of coral bleaching, the ongoing efforts of scientists, and practical strategies for involvement in mitigating this issue. Through the medium of film, we hope to narrow the divide between the perceptions of corals as either vibrant spectacles or bleak victims of bleaching, empowering audiences to forge meaningful connections with coral ecosystems on a personal level.
https://youtu.be/xOSJBCaT0aI
ContributorsBernabe, Charlene (Author) / Hasegawa, Paige (Co-author) / Han, Lisa (Thesis director) / Roger, Liza (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / School of Human Evolution & Social Change (Contributor) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
The Compact X-Ray Light Source (CXLS) and Compact X-Ray Free-Electron Laser (CXFEL) are two novel compact X-Ray sources that enable the study of fundamental processes in science and nature. The CXLS uses inverse Compton scattering of relativistic electrons with a high- energy infrared laser to generate X-Ray photons in a way that greatly reduces the size and cost of these machines. The X-Ray beam produced by the CXLS is delivered to an Experiment Chamber housing motorized stages, infinity-corrected optical systems, and a Montel Optic which focuses the X-Ray beam to an interaction point. This X-Ray beam can be used to take snapshots of samples at the atomic level, providing unique insight in the study of quantum materials, medicine development, and renewable energy generation. In order for experiments with the CXLS to take place, samples must be remotely delivered to this interaction point in a way that provides users with a precise view of the interaction. In order for the samples to be mounted in the Experiment Chamber, cassettes were designed and fabricated in an iterative process to accommodate a particular sample chip or set of microfluidic fittings and components. These cassettes were manufactured using a resin-based 3D printer, and the final designs were able to securely house samples and be mounted in a sample holder frame. To bring the sample to the interaction point, a stack of PI Stages and a Hexapod were brought under EPICS control. Input/Output Controllers for each device were installed on a Linux computer, exposing process variables that facilitated the development of controls interfaces. Using MATLAB, user interfaces were created via an Agile software development approach that emphasized iterative refinements and user feedback. A calibration procedure was developed to maximize the accuracy of scans performed by the stages. During testing, the software was able to successfully implement coordinate transformations to bring many different targets on a single chip to an interaction point as part of a single scan.
ContributorsDupre, Alan (Author) / Holl, Mark (Thesis director) / Teitelbaum, Samuel (Committee member) / Ros, Alexandra (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor) / Department of Physics (Contributor) / School of Human Evolution & Social Change (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
The purpose of this research is to investigate a new drug that is currently facing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval process to treat the symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This new drug is Microbiota Transfer Therapy (MTT) that targets the gut microbiome, which is the ecosystem of bacteria inhabiting our bodies gastrointestinal system. Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurological and developmental condition that’s prevalence is increasing in the modern-day population, however, no treatments outside of interventions and therapies exist to treat the symptoms of this disorder. Within the past decade, researchers have begun to examine the role that the gastrointestinal system plays in the presence of Autism, in which many studies have shown that the disbalance of gut microbiomes could be linked to some of the behavioral symptoms of ASD. There is an ongoing Adult MTT study that has shown that replacing the participants gut microbiota with healthy donor microbiota, not only do their gastrointestinal symptoms improve, but so do their ASD symptoms. Preliminary results of this study have shown that this treatment is safe, with virtually no serious, lasting adverse effects, while also being effective. This study is in Phase 2 of the FDA approval process and holds promising evidence of a new treatment that would improve the lives of many.
ContributorsLaBrosse, Alexandra (Author) / Adams, James (Thesis director) / Kirby, Jasmine (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Human Evolution & Social Change (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2024-05