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- Creators: Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business
- Member of: Barrett, The Honors College Thesis/Creative Project Collection
Description
The idea of a packed promenade, crowded with busy shoppers and completely empty of cars may seem like a holdover from rustic 19th century Europe — but many present day examples can be found right here in the United States — in college towns like Madison, WI, big cities like Denver CO, and lots of places in between. In recent years, proposals to change Mill Ave. here in Tempe have been introduced to modify University Dr. to Rio Salado Pkwy. into just that type of pedestrianized shopping mall, closing it to all automobile traffic outside of emergency vehicles.
As two students who frequent the potentially affected area, we explore the feasibility of such a proposal to continue to grow the downtown Tempe economy. Our research focuses upon several different areas — exploring positive and negative cases of street pedestrianization (whether in Europe, the United States, or other countries), the impact a permanent street closure in Tempe would have both on personal traffic and on the city’s robust public transit system, potential security concerns, opinions of the business community on the proposed change, and the political feasibility of passing the proposal through the Tempe City Council.
As two students who frequent the potentially affected area, we explore the feasibility of such a proposal to continue to grow the downtown Tempe economy. Our research focuses upon several different areas — exploring positive and negative cases of street pedestrianization (whether in Europe, the United States, or other countries), the impact a permanent street closure in Tempe would have both on personal traffic and on the city’s robust public transit system, potential security concerns, opinions of the business community on the proposed change, and the political feasibility of passing the proposal through the Tempe City Council.
ContributorsBaker, Alex Anton (Co-author) / O'Malley, Jessica (Co-author) / King, David (Thesis director) / Kuby, Lauren (Committee member) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
The coronavirus envelope (E) protein is a structural component of all coronavirus. Obtaining purified E protein in an efficient, clean, and reliable manner is needed for ongoing studies. Toward this goal the E protein of Mouse Hepatitis Virus (MHV) coronavirus was tagged with with either 6 or 10 histidine (his) residues which can be used for affinity chromatography purification. The his-tags were introduced by PCR into a cDNA of the MHV A59 virus strain at the carboxy end of the E gene. A reverse genetics approach was then used to assemble three full-length cDNAs of the viral genome, two modified with the hig-tags and a control wild-type (WT) without a tag . Full-length genomic RNAs were transcribed and electroporated into baby hamster kidney cells that express the MHV receptor (BHKR) and L2 rat lung cells. Virus was recovered after 72 h only from the 6X his-tagged genome and the WT control. Western blotting using antibodies against the E protein or the nucleocapsid (N) protein was performed after cells were infected with the recovered WT and 6X-tagged recombinant viruses. The E protein was not detected with the E antibody, but was detected with a histidine probe was used to detect the histidine residues. This indicates that the tagged protein is expressed and that the tag is present.
ContributorsHesser, Kathryn Sarah (Author) / Hogue, Brenda G. (Thesis director) / Hogue, Ian B. (Committee member) / Lim, Efram (Committee member) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
As undergraduate students focus on the perceived adventure, growth opportunities, social connections, freedom and fun, they may not be aware of the dangers and risks associated with studying abroad. Despite university-created crisis prevention measures such as policies, documentation, and orientations warning of the risk of travel, students who study abroad face some form of a crisis every year. Universities warn travelers of the dangers of crime and the psychological issues associated with liminal experiences and culture shock, preparing students for the harsh reality that immersion into a foreign culture is an intense and sometimes taxing experience. Faculty and staff dedicate a tremendous amount of time and energy to ensure our students are braced for their travel experience, yet students still experience immense hardships. In a comprehensive analysis of this phenomenon, we seek to find and explore reasons and variables that account for this chasm. We suspect the reason for this chasm, despite good efforts, is the variance between the resources that are provided and needed both upon entry into host country, and re-entry into native country. In extensively reviewing existing scholarly literature, reviewing case studies, conducting examinations of multi-causal variables, and analyzing measurable data, we suggest that study abroad preparation resources must adapt in order to accommodate an ever-evolving undergraduate tourist experience. In Section I the research team provides an introduction and underscores the central question of the study. Section II includes an extensive literature review in order to establish a definition of culture shock, determine what universities currently do to mitigate culture shock and risk, and assess the efficacy of these strategies. The research team subsequently identifies a lacuna -- the gap or point of departure from existing literature and research that this study seeks to fill. Section III presents our hypothesis, while Section IV offers an outline of precise Methodology. Section V includes an in-depth Data Analysis using findings dependent upon surveys and interviews as discussed in Methodology. Section VI presents policy recommendations or a “fix” based upon findings presented in Data Analysis. Section VII presents a conclusion, offering a culmination of deductions and implications, proving the relevance of this study to Arizona State University.
ContributorsGrimes, Grace Cameron (Co-author) / Church, Elise (Co-author) / Iheduru, Okechukwu (Thesis director) / McWilliams, Claire (Committee member) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a type of liver cancer common in Sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asian countries. Each year more than 700,000 new cases and more than 600,000 deaths are recorded worldwide due to HCC. According to the American Cancer Society HCC is ranked the 5th most common cancer worldwide with a male:female susceptibility ratio ranging between 2:1 and 8:1. HCC risk factors include lifestyle behaviors, such as persistent alcohol abuse and smoking, prolonged exposure to aflatoxins, chronic viral hepatitis infections, inherited metabolic diseases and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases. To understand the genetic effects underlying sex-bias in HCC, it is necessary to include the sex chromosomes in genomics analyses. X and Y chromosomes are often discluded in genomics studies because of the technical and analytical challenges: sequence homology. The purpose of this thesis is to analyze the effects of sex chromosome complement aware read mapping to germline variant calling. 10 male and 10 female tumor adjacent samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma (TCGA LIHC) cohort were processed using sex-aware and default reference and the concordance of the two approaches was examined. We detected a higher disconcordance of 0.69% on variants called on the X chromosome and a disconcordance of 0.51% on variants called on the Y chromosomes for the reference and alternative alleles respectively compared to autosomes. Variants called on the REF/ALT genotypes had a disconcordances of 1.00%, 1.05%, 1.35% and 12.34% for the autosomes, chromosome 7, the X, and the Y chromosome, respectively. At the end of the project we concluded that the generated datasets showed the effect of sex-aware read mapping on variant calling. Though the data did not show the sites that can be called as variants in one dataset but not in the other, rather the concordance looked at sites that were called as variants in both data sets.
ContributorsPhiri, Lovender Teresa (Co-author) / Phiri, Lovender (Co-author) / Wilson Sayres, Melissa (Thesis director) / Buetow, Kenneth (Committee member) / Natri, Heini (Committee member) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
There are many parallels between human and equine sports medicine, including the roots of athletics, the development of specialized medicine, and injuries to the athletes. The most remarkable similarities are seen in tendinopathies. Because of the similarities between human and equine tendons, equine athletes serve as one of the best animal models to study tendon physiology and tendon injuries for application to human medicine. Because of this, many therapies have already successfully crossed from one realm of sports medicine to the other, the most notable of which are stem cell therapy, Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist (IRAP), and platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapies. There are also several therapies on the horizon that are very promising to potentially be successful in both human and equine athletes. However, some of these novel therapies are raising ethical questions. There are many regulations in place to protect against or address potential ethical conflicts in human medicine. The same trend is not seen in equine medicine. While there are rules enforced by many equestrian federations regarding ethical concerns and veterinary medicine, the information is not nearly as complete as it should be. Because they lack the autonomy that typical human patient possesses, equine athletes require significantly more advocacy from their veterinarians than human athletes do from their physicians. Additionally, there is a lack of large animal model studies secondary to cost and overall value of equine athletes to their owners, riders, and trainers. Ultimately it becomes an issue of veterinary ethics whether to pursue a novel or conventional treatment for an equine athlete. With biotechnology advancing as quickly as it is, new studies must be done and new regulations must be written in order to keep all fields of sports medicine operating safely and ethically for all athletes involved, regardless of species.
ContributorsWaslewski, Samantha Paige (Author) / Lynch, John (Thesis director) / Foley, James (Committee member) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
Usability in the Internet of Things (IOT) in the Smart Home is a new concept with limited current research, especially in user perception. User perception is an important aspect in the development of Smart Home Internet of Things systems, including smart home products and devices and in the design of the Smart Home experience. The aim of my thesis is to investigate user perceptions of Smart Home Internet of Things systems to understand how usable current Smart Home Internet of Things systems are from the perception of the user and how that impacts the Smart Home experience. By understanding the usability of Smart Home Internet of Things systems, we can better design Smart Home devices and products for a user-centered experience. My thesis informs the design of user-centered Smart Home Internet of Things systems and experiences.
This study includes a literature review and an empirical study. The empirical study is a usability testing survey that investigates user perceptions of Smart Home technology that make up the Internet of Things system in the Smart Home. Both closed-ended questions and open-ended questions are included in the survey for a comprehensive study. Main results showed that current smart home systems are somewhat usable. Results also showed that smart home users are satisfied with current smart home systems, believes that smart home technology adds value to their lifestyle, and will continue to use smart home technology. Main results showed that the strengths of current smart home systems design are efficiency, learnability, memorability, and enjoyability. Main results showed that there is a trend between age group and smart home user perceptions. These findings inform the design of user-centered smart home systems.
This study includes a literature review and an empirical study. The empirical study is a usability testing survey that investigates user perceptions of Smart Home technology that make up the Internet of Things system in the Smart Home. Both closed-ended questions and open-ended questions are included in the survey for a comprehensive study. Main results showed that current smart home systems are somewhat usable. Results also showed that smart home users are satisfied with current smart home systems, believes that smart home technology adds value to their lifestyle, and will continue to use smart home technology. Main results showed that the strengths of current smart home systems design are efficiency, learnability, memorability, and enjoyability. Main results showed that there is a trend between age group and smart home user perceptions. These findings inform the design of user-centered smart home systems.
ContributorsChuong, Samantha (Author) / Bowman, Diana (Thesis director) / Michael, Katina (Committee member) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
The classification of financially at-risk is an expansive term that fits the personal profile of most individuals when it comes to the conditioning of their attitude toward money management, particularly in the planning and investment of that money for the achievement of long-term goals. In the case of this thesis, we focus primarily on those who have made a career in professional athletics and entertainment. The behavioral finance tendencies of these two industry professions are widely regarded as insufficient and often damaging the to the longevity of achieved financial security. This ideology stems primarily from an environment where individuals enjoy rapid wealth accumulation in a highly competitive and constantly transitioning role within their respective crafts. The subjectively common behavioral shortcomings of these world-class athletes and performers and uncertain day-to-day security of the professions which these at-risk individuals possess make for highly unfavorable circumstances when striving to achieve a lifetime of income and a secure retirement. In examining individuals of these classes who have faced grave financial hardship, this thesis will serve as a basis for identifying measures to recondition problematic behavioral tendencies that ultimately cause disengagement from a prudent financial plan. Therefore, this thesis will also serve as a framework to determine what investment strategies will complement the behavioral modifications financial planners strive to instill in these individuals, so that professional athletes, celebrities, and financially at-risk professionals alike may achieve higher probability of creating financial freedom through the engaged execution of a goals-based financial plan.
ContributorsKeller, Charles Phillip (Author) / Licon, Wendell (Thesis director) / Budolfson, Arthur (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
Problem Statement
Company X does not currently have a proven hedging method that allows for forecasting flexibility and currency fluctuations, while still reducing the risk of de-designation in their international construction projects. To solve this issue, we will analyze historical currency fluctuations over the past 5 years, forecasting error rates, the impact of de-designation, and earnings per share impact.
Company X does not currently have a proven hedging method that allows for forecasting flexibility and currency fluctuations, while still reducing the risk of de-designation in their international construction projects. To solve this issue, we will analyze historical currency fluctuations over the past 5 years, forecasting error rates, the impact of de-designation, and earnings per share impact.
ContributorsBlackburn, Jamie Sue (Co-author) / Lopez, Ivan (Co-author) / Miller, Cole (Co-author) / Plocher, Jasmine (Co-author) / Sinacori, Anthony (Co-author) / Simonson, Mark (Thesis director) / Thomas, Jodi (Committee member) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
The goal of this project is to gain market research insight into the handcrafted goods industry and apply this knowledge towards a business plan for a small crafts business: Creations by Songbird. We accomplish this goal by conducting primary and secondary research on the crafts selling industry to see who the target customer is and what their habits are. First, we conduct a literature review looking into the background of some known crafts sales platforms. We discover several consistent trends in product differentiation, retail price calculation, and search engine optimization that we will apply to our business plan. Next, we conduct primary market research in the form of observations, customer and business owner interviews, and surveys. We learn that Instagram is a widely used marketing tool and that Etsy and crafts shows are popular sales channels. Using the results of our research we conclude that the our target customers are women ages 18-24 and 50-59 who attend crafts shows several times per year and occasionally browse Etsy. Many of these women enjoy objects that are vintage style and on average they spend less than $50 per item. Applying the industry and market knowledge gleaned from our research we create a business plan that outlines a price/cost breakdown, marketing plan, and sales plan for Creations by Songbird. We plan to utilize Instagram as our main marketing tool and will sell records via crafts shows and Etsy. Based on our estimates, we conclude that Creations by Songbird will be a profitable business.
ContributorsWood, Sara (Co-author) / Ehmann, Victoria (Co-author) / Gray, Nancy (Thesis director) / Trujillo, Rhett (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
As firms increase the number of channels that they operate and distribute their products and services on, they run into new challenges with branding. One sub-industry where many firms have used multi-channel branding is the specialty apparel segment of retail. Many firms of this kind are using a four-channel approach with physical stores, brand websites, social media pages, and direct mail catalogs to market their products. Yet, there are few specialty apparel retailers that do this well across all four channels. A particular technique used to market products in this way is visual merchandising. Visual merchandising for apparel products pieces together full outfits with multiple clothing items and shows them, in some way, being worn. Beyond just marketing products, however, visual merchandising can provide firms with benefits of branding such as brand expertise, positive consumer attitudes, and increased consumer purchase intent. To do this, firms must develop quality brands using traditional branding practices. To use as guides, J. Crew and Anthropologie's branding and visual merchandising practices were analyzed in case studies. Testing consumer perceptions of these brands and their success, primary research about consumers' behavior relative to specialty apparel retail brands and their visual merchandising displays was an outcome. From this research, it was found that consumers best respond to in-store visual merchandising displays. In showing products, a variety product combination strategy is preferred as it enhances the value consumers perceive in brands and builds brand character. Consumers also feel that visual merchandising impacts their knowledge of the brand and its products as well as personal styling. If brands successfully use visual merchandising to brand themselves, brand consistency, brand expertise, and positive consumer attitudes are an outcome. Recommendations for specialty apparel retail brands have been developed using these findings, and the potential such firms are able to realize in using these will greatly benefit them.
ContributorsTaylor, Allyson Nicole (Author) / Montoya, Detra (Thesis director) / Gray, Nancy (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-05