Matching Items (19)
Description
Vaccinia virus (VV) is a prototype virus of the Orthopox viruses. The large dsDNA virus composed of 200kbp genome contains approximately 200 genes and replicates entirely in the cytosol. Since its use as a live vaccine against smallpox that leads to the successful eradication of smallpox, Vaccinia has been intensely studied as a vaccine vector since the large genome allows for the insertion of multiple genes. It is also studied as a molecular tool for gene therapy and gene functional study. Despite its success as a live vaccine, the vaccination causes some mild to serious bur rare adverse events in vaccinees such as generalized Vaccinia and encepharitis. Therefore, identification of virulence genes and removal of these genes to create a safer vaccine remain an important tasks. In this study, the author seeks to elucidate the possible relationship between immune evading proteins E3 and B19. VV did not allow double deletions of E3 and B19, indicating the existence of a relationship between the two genes.
ContributorsBarclay, Shizuka (Author) / Jacobs, Bertram (Thesis director) / Ugarova, Tatiana (Committee member) / Kibler, Karen (Committee member) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
The first chapter of this essay will focus primarily on the history of graffiti from what is generally understood as its origin with the first writers who used spray paint as their tools of creation up until modern times. This chapter will look at how the history has formed the general perception of this art form and how it has changed over the years. The second chapter will discuss three archetypes of graffiti seen today. These archetypes are: city funded art murals, city or privately funded freewalls, and artistic mitigations of vandalism. Each of these archetypes will be explored via multiple real world examples and we will consider how each of these examples do or do not succeed in displaying graffiti as a well regarded public art form. The third chapter will propose another archetype for creating graffiti that has not been widely realized or put into practice. The third chapter will then speculate using the knowledge from the previous existing archetypes to discuss whether or not it could be utilized in the real world effectively and a conclusion will be drawn about the methods of graffiti that are practical and effective means to create well regarded art.
ContributorsMiller, Quinn David (Author) / Creath, Richard (Thesis director) / Chew, Matthew (Committee member) / Minteer, Ben (Committee member) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
Description
Laboratory animals represent an invaluable, yet controversial, resource in the field of biomedical research. Animal research has been behind many influential discoveries in the field of emerging therapeutics. They provide the link between the theory of the lab bench and the functional application of medicine to influence human health. The use of animals in research is a consideration which must be heavily weighed, and the implementation must be carried out at a very high standard in order to retain research integrity and responsibility. We are in the process of conducting an experiment using laboratory mice to demonstrate cancer treatment using vaccinia (VACV) mutants as a possible oncolytic therapy for certain strains of melanoma. VACV is a double-stranded DNA poxvirus with a large and easily altered genome. This virus contains many genes dedicated to immune evasion, but has shown sensitivity to cell death by necroptosis in mouse studies (5). We have identified the absence of the kinase RIP3 which is vital in the necroptosis pathway as a potential target for oncolytic therapy using VACV mutants in specific strains of melanoma. Multiple groups of SCID Beige mice were inoculated with different melanoma cell lines and observed for tumor growth. Upon reaching 1 cm3 in volume, tumors were injected with either VACV- Δ83N, VACV- Δ54N, or PBS, and observed for regression. It was hypothesized that melanoma tumors that are RIP3-/- such as the MDA5 cell line will show regression, but melanoma tumors that are RIP3-positive and capable of necroptosis, such as the 2427 cell line, will resist viral replication and continue to proliferate. Our results so far tentatively support this hypothesis, but the data collection is ongoing. Strict and specific protocols with regard to the ethical and responsible use of mice have been implemented and upheld throughout the experiment. Animals are closely monitored, and if their quality of life becomes too poor to justify their continued use in the experiment, they are humanely euthanized, even at the expense of valuable data. The importance of commitment to a high ethical standard is pervasive throughout our work. Animals represent an invaluable contribution to research, and it is important to maintain high standards and transparency with regard to their use. Education and engagement in critical discussions about the use and care of animals in the laboratory contribute to the overall merit and legitimacy of biomedical research in the public and professional eye as a whole, and give legitimacy to the continued use of animals as models to advance science and health.
ContributorsBergamaschi, Julia (Author) / Kibler, Karen (Thesis director) / Jacobs, Bertram (Committee member) / School of Human Evolution and Social Change (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
Bioprospecting is the exploration of biodiversity in search of new resources with potential economic value. Since the colonial era, bioprospecting has led to the innovation of many valuable medical and commercial products. However, the extraction of these natural resources has historically been linked to the exploitation of indigenous populations, known as biopiracy. This review of the Maya ICBG Biopiracy Controversy provides an in-depth exploration into the delineation between bioprospecting and biopiracy to reveal that the unfounded claims of biopiracy halted a potentially successful bioprospecting project.
ContributorsOney, David Alexander (Author) / Chew, Matthew (Thesis director) / Thomas, George (Committee member) / Nilsen, Don (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (Contributor)
Created2013-05
Description
I conducted a literature review of articles pertaining to the history and treatment of rats. After outlining all of the relevant connections, I argue that as a result of people's conceptions about rats, rats do not receive the same respect and protections afforded other animals, such as cats and dogs, in the laboratory and beyond. I present both negative and positive conceptions about rats and the realities of these conceptions. Finally, I talk about the changes that need to take place in laboratory research, why animals are still used in research today, and the alternatives that exist to animal models.
ContributorsWalker, Abigail Marie (Author) / Chew, Matthew (Thesis director) / Kibler, Karen (Committee member) / College of Integrative Sciences and Arts (Contributor) / Watts College of Public Service & Community Solut (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / School of Music, Dance and Theatre (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2021-05
Description
This research dives into the media’s influence, population tracking, new conservation methods, and previous studies to support the thesis that creating a positive public perception of the animals will help reduce shark finning and overfishing. Provisions and solutions provide inspiration for what we can do to reduce the overfishing and finning of sharks.
ContributorsMinhinnick, Tess (Author) / Chew, Matthew (Thesis director) / Lyon, Cassandra (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2023-12
Description
The objective of this project is to allow viewers to follow along a visual representation of my journey through the Galápagos Islands as well as around the city of Phoenix. Through a curated collection of artwork and personal photographs, this exhibition highlights the beauty, uniqueness, and conservation challenges of Arizona and the Galápagos Islands. By presenting a range of artistic interpretations, my project fosters appreciation for the intricate ecosystems and remarkable biodiversity found in these regions. In addition to appreciation, my exhibition serves as a means to raise awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation. To begin my research, I traveled to the Galápagos Islands to study and observe the wildlife found in these island ecosystems. This trip consisted of volunteer and field work at several locations, such as tortoise breeding centers and the Sierra Negra Volcano. Further research was conducted around the city of Phoenix. This research was completed in a field research course through Arizona State University and required travel to several ecological sites around the city. The field work involved comparing the different abiotic and biotic factors of each site and observing how local taxa was affected by non-native species. This exhibition takes place in the School of Art building on the Arizona State University Tempe campus. My exhibition utilizes the 3D art display case, which allows my project to have a three-dimensional element that provides a more interactive experience to viewers. My exhibition will consist of approximately thirty personal photographs as well as fifteen traditional paintings and drawings. My work depicts several easily recognizable species, such as the Galápagos giant tortoise, blue-footed booby, prickly pear cactus, and velvet mesquite. These species are an array of species from the Galápagos as well as native species that viewers can find in their Arizona backyards. The images used are direct references collected during my excursions to the Galápagos Islands and around Arizona. To enhance engagement and learning, visitors will be able to interact with my personal field journals as well as mementos from my trip to the Galápagos Islands.
ContributorsSilva, Sarah (Author) / Chew, Matthew (Thesis director) / Meissinger, Ellen (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2024-05
ContributorsSilva, Sarah (Author) / Chew, Matthew (Thesis director) / Meissinger, Ellen (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2024-05
ContributorsSilva, Sarah (Author) / Chew, Matthew (Thesis director) / Meissinger, Ellen (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
Clickers are a common part of many classrooms across universities. Despite the widespread use, education researchers disagree about how to best use these tools and about how they impact students. Prior work has shown possible differential impacts of clickers based on demographic indicators, such as age, gender, and ethnicity. To explore these topics a two-part project was designed. First, a literature review was completed focusing on past and current clicker practices and the research surrounding them. Second, original data, stratified by demographic characteristics, was collected on student perceptions of clickers. The literature review revealed that not all uses of clickers are created equal. Instructors in higher education first introduced clickers to enhance traditional pedagogies by simplifying common classroom tasks (e.g. grading, attendance, feedback collection). More recently, instructors pair clickers and novel pedagogies. A review of the identified benefits and drawbacks for students and instructors is provided for both approaches. Instructors can use different combinations of technological competency and pedagogical content knowledge that lead to four main outcomes. When instructors have both technological competency and pedagogical content knowledge, all the involved parties, students and instructors, benefit. When instructors have technological competency but lack pedagogical content knowledge, instructors are the main benefactors. When instructors have pedagogical content knowledge alone, students can benefit, but usefulness to the instructor decreases. When instructors have neither technological competency nor pedagogical content knowledge, no party benefits. Beyond these findings, recommendations are provided for future clicker research. Second, the review highlighted that clickers may have a differential impact on students of different demographic groups. To explore this dynamic, an original study on student views of clickers, which included demographic data, was conducted. The original study does not find significantly different enthusiasm for clickers by demographic group, unlike prior studies that explored some of these relationships. However, white students and male students are overrepresented in the group that does not enjoy clickers. This conclusion is supported by visual observations from the means of the demographic groups. Overall, based on the review of the literature and original research, if instructors pair clickers with validated pedagogies, and if researchers continue to study clicker classrooms, including which students like and benefit from clickers, clickers may continue to be a valuable educational technology.
ContributorsChambers, Elijah Lorenzo (Author) / Henderson, Joesph (Thesis advisor) / Ellison, Karin (Thesis advisor) / Chew, Matthew (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2020