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Our Own Heart, Beating Higher and Higher: On the Possibility of Genuine Encounter Among Human Beings
Description
Because of the necessarily interwoven nature of existence and the human person’s formation in the image and likeness of God, one inherently has enough in common with any other in order to behold him/her properly. Such an interaction increases the beholder's proximity to both the beheld and God simultaneously; it enables one to briefly glimpse these pieces of reality as God Himself does. Such a claim falls primarily under Saint Thomas Aquinas’s foundation of creation (especially his fusion of Plato’s idea of participation and Aristotle’s concept of act and potency, resulting in his own contribution of esse and essence) and Saint Augustine’s concept of the human person. This remains true even under the pressing weight of liberalistic divisiveness and such potent objects as those raised by Muriel Rukeyser’s “Effort at Speech Between Two People,” Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame," and Mary Shelley’s "Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus.”
ContributorsCartwright, Sophia (Author) / Kushner, Aaron (Thesis director) / Thurow, Aaron (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / Historical, Philosophical & Religious Studies, Sch (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (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
This research investigates how undergraduate students maintain health and wellness within the collegiate environment, focusing on lifestyle-specific challenges and supporting factors. It explores diverse undergraduate lifestyles, such as student athletes, Greek life members, honors students, art majors, and STEM majors, analyzing factors including dietary habits, fitness routines, mental health, social interactions, and sleep patterns. Understanding these dynamics is crucial during this developmental period, where students face new lifestyle habits that can impact their long-term well-being. Recognizing the unique challenges of different groups allows universities and students to create environments that nurture success. The qualitative study, conducted through podcast interviews with students from Arizona State University, identifies both maintained and neglected aspects of wellness within each lifestyle. Limitations in sample size are acknowledged and suggested avenues for further research to enhance comprehensiveness are also provided. We use qualitative data from various studies and research that has been conducted on the different lifestyles of college students and aspects of their wellness that are hindered or facilitated through their lifestyles. Our findings indicate that every lifestyle of undergraduate students has unique challenges and advantages in regard to maintaining their health and wellness. There are multiple commonalities and differences that can be explored through the five different interviews which are both conducive and incompatible with previous literature and studies.
ContributorsNess, Kaylee (Author) / Namvari, Roxana (Co-author) / Don, Rachael (Thesis director) / Mayol-Kreiser, Sandy (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
Cortisol, the primary end product of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis, has been
closely linked with health and health behaviors in daily life. Not only physical health, but also
familial stressors (i.e. perceived anxiety/stress, economic hardship, parenting styles) have been found to relate to cortisol levels. The present study investigated the complex relation between family level stress and cortisol levels longitudinally, and the extent to which physical activity plays a role in such relations. Specifically, I examined: 1) direct associations between physical activity (sedentary, moderate-to-vigorous activity) and diurnal cortisol slopes a year later, 2) whether physical activity levels mediated established links between family stress and diurnal cortisol slopes, and 3) whether family stress moderated associations between physical activity and diurnal cortisol slopes. Data were from the Arizona Twin Project, a racially and
socioeconomically diverse sample of twins in middle childhood in Arizona (N=710;
Mageatbaseline=8.44 years, SD=.69; 51.4% female; 58.5% non-Hispanic White, 23.7% Hispanic). Twins and their caregivers participated in a 7-day study (age 8) during which they wore an actigraphy watch to capture physical activity measurements. Primary caregivers also provided self-reports on stressors and mental health. Results revealed a non-significant main effect of physical activity on AM cortisol slopes, as well as non-significant interactions and main effects in the moderating pathways. Mediation analyses were not pursued due to lack of correlation between physical activity and family stress.
ContributorsBrunell, Maxwell (Author) / Doane, Leah (Thesis director) / Corbin, William (Committee member) / Davis, Mary (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
We hypothesized that a general lack of knowledge surrounding food preparation coupled with confusion about nutrition recommendations in America could be a source of stress for adults of all ages and stages of life. We compiled current research about nutrition, gut microbiome, epigenetics, and health to address this perceived need. In addition, we explained some of the political context of the Western diet, the psychology of habit formation, and some food preparation basics in one easy-to-read and entertaining publication. In this way, we aim to include everything a beginner may need to establish new culinary and nutritional habits. We hope that making this knowledge accessible (someday through a published book) we empower the everyday consumer to make more informed food decisions that will benefit long-term mental and physical health outcomes.
ContributorsPoppen, Jennifer (Author) / McCann, Pilar (Co-author) / Lewis, Candace (Thesis director) / Stecher, Chad (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
Background: Postpartum women continue to be underrepresented in research. This exclusion or incomplete representation of postpartum women can diminish the improvements of research and its outcomes. The All of Us Research Program is analyzed for its successful enrollments of postpartum women inpatient and outpatient at its multiple sites at Banner in the state of Arizona.
Methods: REDCap records were pulled from the UArizona All of Us Research Program database to analyze the number of enrollments at each site located in Arizona with a postpartum unit. These numbers showed significant trends and patterns to analyze further the postpartum demographics being enrolled.
Results: The results from REDCap proved that postpartum patients can be enrolled, despite the barriers, and can be enrolled successfully. Out of the six UArizona Banner sites, three of the sites had the highest number of enrollments in the postpartum units. Two of the sites had the second largest number of enrollments in their postpartum units.
Conclusion: Engagement and overcoming barriers are essential towards enrolling postpartum patients successfully. The significance of enrolling postpartum patients in research ensures that studies will help the overall health of women.
ContributorsSalehi, Jasmine (Author) / Lynch, John (Thesis director) / Mushtaq, Zuena (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
This project analyzes a survey given to currently incarcerated men and women in Arizona asking about their experiences on community supervision, what motivated them, what challenges they faced, and what ideas they have for resources or aspects of the program that would help support their success. This is to bring light to the incarcerated perspective on these issues, provide insight into lived experiences on community supervision, and uncover what helps and what hinders people’s success in community corrections programs on a structural level. After describing the survey conducted and the results collected, formal and practical recommendations for the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry are made based on this research and existing literature, designed to help improve the way community corrections operates to cultivate more successful completions and foster rehabilitation.
ContributorsGuevara, Monique (Author) / Wright, Kevin (Thesis director) / Barnhart, Patricia (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Social Transformation (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
The Eutopia zine explores Utopian philosophy through several essays and art pieces. Utopianism is often critiques for being naïve and unrealistic. This zine aims to analyze and counter that criticism by proposing that the value of utopianism is not to create the end product of "utopia", but to consider how envisioning better futures can help guide our present action and resistance. The zine is available for viewing online here: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/c09f6227e8.html
ContributorsPhillips, Corinne (Author) / Napolitano, Daniella (Thesis director) / Brian, Jenny (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Social Transformation (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / School of Art (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
The focus of my thesis project is the meaning of philotimo. The word philotimo is a profound cultural concept such that even its direct English translation does not convey its entire meaning. The closest translation of philotimo is a love of one's honor. However, as the word progressed through history, it has developed a different meaning for groups of people who have used it to create their own connections. These connections can appear anywhere in the Greek community, from the more expected places such as the church community to people spreading their philotimo through job connections. My goal in this paper is first to explain the historical background of the word philotimo. Then, I will delve into the different groups that have used and formed connections through philotimo. Lastly, I will present data from a survey of my creation, which aims to gather different meanings and the importance of philotimo in Greek-Americans' lives. My overall goal is to examine how philotimo is rooted in Greek culture and how it helps to build relationships with others by surveying Greeks who have had their lives affected by the concept. Most Greek communities are connected through organizations such as the Sons of Pericles or the Young Adult League. Groups like these are built through acts of service, and those who are participants are expected to volunteer and do charity work. Through these organizations, the concept of philotimo continues to be passed down and thrives through the younger generations.
ContributorsPappas-Carruthers, Sophia (Author) / Soares, Rebecca (Thesis director) / Bolmarcich, Sarah (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
Obesity is a serious health concern that leads to a higher risk of developing chronic diseases. Browning subcutaneous (subQ) white adipose tissue (WAT) to induce thermogenesis is a promising concept for combating obesity. The objectives of this study are to deliver forskolin (FSK), a natural and potent browning compound, directly to subQ WAT and induce its browning via a microneedle (MN)-assisted approach, and to determine its anti-obesity effects and underlying mechanisms. A dye was incorporated into the dissolvable PLGA-based microneedles (MNs) to determine the release profile in agarose gel (in vitro) and in mice (in vivo). FSK-loaded MNs were prepared using a micro-mold, and FSK content was determined using HPLC. Two groups of male obese C57BL6J mice were given the following two treatments: control MN and FSK-loaded MNs three times per week for three weeks. To drive FSK into subQ WAT, iontophoresis at 0.6 mA for 5 minutes was applied on the MN-treated skin areas two times per week. Body weight and body composition of mice were measured weekly. A glucose tolerance test (GTT) was conducted at week 3. The energy expenditure of mice was determined using CLAMS. The MN dissolution rate was 7 days in agarose gel. After applying the MN on the mouse skin above the inguinal WAT, the MN back layer was able to be easily separated from the MN needles. The dye-loaded MN released dye in the inguinal WAT area for 7 days. HPLC confirmed there was 6.02 μg FSK per MN patch, ~12 μg FSK per treatment on both inguinal WAT depots, and ~0.3 μg FSK per 1 g body weight. Body weight significantly decreased by approximately 3.87 g in FSK-treated mice when compared to control mice which remained within the same range (P=0.0045). Body fat % significantly decreased by approximately 5.23% in FSK-treated mice when compared to control mice which increased 0.51% (P = 0.002). Lean mass of two groups of mice remained the same (P = 0.29). FSK-treated mice had lower areas under the curve during GTT. FSK-treated mice had higher O2 consumption and CO2 output. The inguinal WAT of FSK-treated mice showed a beige color during sacrifice. Local FSK-loaded transdermal MN treatments combat obesity by significantly decreasing body weight and fat %, improving glucose tolerance and O2/CO2 exchange, and potentially turning WAT into beige adipose tissue.
ContributorsSwensen, Jacqueline (Author) / Wang, Shu (Thesis director) / Kim, Min-Hyun (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2024-05