Matching Items (866)
Description
Analysis into the political career of Texas state senator George Ruby provides invaluable insight to the African American experience during Reconstruction in Texas as a whole. Juxtaposing the needs vocalized by African American communities and the actions taken by Ruby, the Freedmen’s Bureau, and other Texas politicians, helps identify how racial politics dictated the lives of Texas African Americans. Ruby’s rise to power can also be utilized as a historical blueprint for how leaders in marginalized communities can become impactful and obtain power within a racially-biased societal structure. Ruby’s rise and fall in Texas politics is tragic as he finds himself forced to separate from his loyal African American support base—deciding to cater to the needs of elite white Texans to help ensure political favor on both sides of the political and racial spectrum. However, Ruby’s legacy remains one of great success as he managed to break the mold forced upon so many African Americans during Reconstruction and enact lasting change in the marginalized Texas African American communities.
ContributorsCourson, Shawn Thomas (Author) / Schermerhorn, J. (Thesis director) / Delmont, Matthew (Committee member) / School of Politics and Global Studies (Contributor) / School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies (Contributor) / Division of Teacher Preparation (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
Higher plant Rubisco activase (Rca) is a stromal ATPase responsible for reactivating Rubisco. It is a member of the AAA+ protein superfamily and is thought to assemble into closed-ring hexamers like other AAA+ proteins belonging to the classic clade. Progress towards modeling the interaction between Rca and Rubisco has been slow due to limited structural information on Rca. Previous efforts in the lab were directed towards solving the structure of spinach short-form Rca using X-ray crystallography, given that it had notably high thermostability in the presence of ATP-γS, an ATP analog. However, due to disorder within the crystal lattice, an atomic resolution structure could not be obtained, prompting us to move to negative stain electron microscopy (EM), with our long-term goal being the use of cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) for atomic resolution structure determination. Thus far, we have screened different Rca constructs in the presence of ATP-γS, both the full-length β-isoform and truncations containing only the AAA+ domain. Images collected on preparations of the full-length protein were amorphous, whereas images of the AAA+ domain showed well-defined ring-like assemblies under some conditions. Procedural adjustments, such as the use of previously frozen protein samples, rapid dilution, and minimizing thawing time were shown to improve complex assembly. The presence of Mn2+ was also found to improve hexamer formation over Mg2+. Calculated class averages of the AAA+ Rca construct in the presence of ATP-γS indicated a lack of homogeneity in the assemblies, showing both symmetric and asymmetric hexameric rings. To improve structural homogeneity, we tested buffer conditions containing either ADP alone or different ratios of ATP-γS to ADP, though results did not show a significant improvement in homogeneity. Multiple AAA+ domain preparations were evaluated. Because uniform protein assembly is a major requirement for structure solution by cryo-EM, more work needs to be done on screening biochemical conditions to optimize homogeneity.
ContributorsHernandez, Victoria Joan (Author) / Wachter, Rebekka (Thesis director) / Chiu, Po-Lin (Committee member) / Redding, Kevin (Committee member) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
Current funding for education is largely dependent on property taxes and as a result, there is an inequitable access to resources from school district to school district. This paper addresses this inequity by providing an analysis on the consolidation of school districts. The analysis includes case studies from multiple states, a literature study on existing research on consolidation, and a proposal for the state of Arizona, the state where this paper originates. Overall, this paper acknowledges that consolidation is not a universal solution to educational inequity and the successful implementation of this process. Rather, it is a way to reduce the gap.
ContributorsFu, Angela (Author) / Ludlow, Carlyn (Thesis director) / Clausen, Jennifer (Committee member) / Division of Teacher Preparation (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
Objective
The objective of this study is to compare amyloid β (Aβ) PET positive and negative patients to their neuropsychological profiles. There is a definitive link between Aβ deposits and cognitive disorders such as MCI or Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but does its presence justify the costly imaging tests based on its clinical context?
Background
Amnestic MCI is largely considered prodromal to AD/dementia in a high majority of cases. [1] Many studies have shown a positive correlation between Aβ PET positive individuals and their likelihood to progress to AD. Aβ deposits in the brain are not always a sign of AD or even MCI, and many elderly people live normal lives with elevated levels. The presence of Aβ in the brain should be carefully considered alongside other tests before making a clinical diagnosis of MCI or AD.
Methods
130 subjects from Barrow Neurological Institute (Phoenix, AZ) were included in this study. Amyloid PET report data was pulled from Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center Outpatient Imaging. Amyloid PET scans obtained by using F-18 florbetapir compound and reviewed by an expert radiologist providing a qualitative status of amyloid-beta positive (+) or negative (-). All data was anonymized and categorized into positive amyloid PET, negative amyloid PET, and clinical diagnosis based on neuropsychological profiles.
Results
The demographic data indicated that 38.5% of the 91 patients diagnosed as amnestic MCI were amyloid PET negative while 61.5% were amyloid PET positive. Of the 39 patients diagnosed as Dementia or AD 15.4% were amyloid PET negative and 84.6% were amyloid PET positive. Correlational analysis between diagnosis and neuropsychological variables suggests that some variables correlate well while others do not. There is a significant correlation between diagnosis and dementia rating scale (DRS) r(24) = -.762, between diagnosis and TrailsB Test r(39) = .397, between diagnosis and phonetic fluency r(30) = -.383, between diagnosis and semantic fluency r(29) = -.369, and between diagnosis and the Boston Naming Test (BNT) r(36) = -.312. Comparing the PET positive and PET negative groups there is a marginal significance in the Boston Naming Test (T=1.945, P=.060) suggesting PET positive individuals test lower than PET negative.
Conclusion
Based on all the results of this study, amyloid PET is still a clinical indicator that an individual might be MCI or dementia/AD, but it has its exceptions. A small number of patients diagnosed as dementia/AD had a negative amyloid PET suggesting that beta amyloid plaques are not the only cause of the disease. There is a strong suggestion that amyloid plaques are a major factor in the progression of dementia or AD, however the results from an amyloid PET cannot be directly related to a diagnosis.
The objective of this study is to compare amyloid β (Aβ) PET positive and negative patients to their neuropsychological profiles. There is a definitive link between Aβ deposits and cognitive disorders such as MCI or Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but does its presence justify the costly imaging tests based on its clinical context?
Background
Amnestic MCI is largely considered prodromal to AD/dementia in a high majority of cases. [1] Many studies have shown a positive correlation between Aβ PET positive individuals and their likelihood to progress to AD. Aβ deposits in the brain are not always a sign of AD or even MCI, and many elderly people live normal lives with elevated levels. The presence of Aβ in the brain should be carefully considered alongside other tests before making a clinical diagnosis of MCI or AD.
Methods
130 subjects from Barrow Neurological Institute (Phoenix, AZ) were included in this study. Amyloid PET report data was pulled from Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center Outpatient Imaging. Amyloid PET scans obtained by using F-18 florbetapir compound and reviewed by an expert radiologist providing a qualitative status of amyloid-beta positive (+) or negative (-). All data was anonymized and categorized into positive amyloid PET, negative amyloid PET, and clinical diagnosis based on neuropsychological profiles.
Results
The demographic data indicated that 38.5% of the 91 patients diagnosed as amnestic MCI were amyloid PET negative while 61.5% were amyloid PET positive. Of the 39 patients diagnosed as Dementia or AD 15.4% were amyloid PET negative and 84.6% were amyloid PET positive. Correlational analysis between diagnosis and neuropsychological variables suggests that some variables correlate well while others do not. There is a significant correlation between diagnosis and dementia rating scale (DRS) r(24) = -.762, between diagnosis and TrailsB Test r(39) = .397, between diagnosis and phonetic fluency r(30) = -.383, between diagnosis and semantic fluency r(29) = -.369, and between diagnosis and the Boston Naming Test (BNT) r(36) = -.312. Comparing the PET positive and PET negative groups there is a marginal significance in the Boston Naming Test (T=1.945, P=.060) suggesting PET positive individuals test lower than PET negative.
Conclusion
Based on all the results of this study, amyloid PET is still a clinical indicator that an individual might be MCI or dementia/AD, but it has its exceptions. A small number of patients diagnosed as dementia/AD had a negative amyloid PET suggesting that beta amyloid plaques are not the only cause of the disease. There is a strong suggestion that amyloid plaques are a major factor in the progression of dementia or AD, however the results from an amyloid PET cannot be directly related to a diagnosis.
ContributorsSorenson, Keaton Andrew (Author) / Azuma, Tamiko (Thesis director) / DeCourt, Boris (Committee member) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
The goal of this study was to investigate the possibility of catch bond formation between nectin and actin during cellular adhesion by modeling the actin-filament binding protein, afadin, out of equilibrium. This was done through the in silico methodology of Molecular Dynamics (MD); more specifically using Steered Molecular Dynamics (SMD) and Replica Exchange Molecular Dynamics (REMD). The methodology of this experiment centered around generating physiologically probable structures through REMD, then using MD and SMD methods to generate structures in the absence and presence of force respectively. These structures were then analyzed through Solvent Accessible Surface Area (SASA) measurements to assess the overall compactness of the structure, which led to implicit observations on the overall resistance of force that this structure has. Overall, it was found that the structure displayed more compact conformations in the presence of force as the SASA values of the binding pocket and individual residues involved in the system tend to decrease as force was applied. This is indicative of more stable conformations and a force resistant quality that is indicative of catch bonding, thus leading to the natural conclusion that this structure displays catch bond character.
ContributorsChapman, Jonathan (Author) / Singharoy, Abhishek (Thesis director) / Beckstein, Oliver (Committee member) / Ros, Robert (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
The primary channel responsible for cold thermo-transduction in mammals is the transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) channel. TRPM8 is a polymodal, nonselective cation channel with an activation that is dependent on a variety of signals, including the membrane potential, calcium concentration, temperature, and ligands such as menthol. Mathematical modeling provides valuable insight into biochemical phenomena, such as the activity of these channels, which are difficult to observe experimentally. Here, we propose a TRPM8 gating model, represented as a system of ordinary differential equations with menthol, calcium, voltage, and temperature dependencies. We use voltage-clamp data from transfected HEK293 cells in the presence of menthol to create a menthol-dependent voltage shift of activation. We fit the parameters of the TRPM8 gating model to replicate experimental TRPM8 transfected HEK293 cell voltage clamp electrophysiology data using a genetic algorithm. Using k-means clustering, we note eight clusters within 110 total parameter sets consisting of parameter solutions that provide a good fit to the experimental data. We then replicate novel fixed-voltage temperature ramp and fixed-temperature voltage ramp experimental data, demonstrating that our model can replicate the dynamic behaviors of TRPM8. With this TRPM8 gating model, we analyze the various parameter sets obtained from the genetic algorithm and find that different parameter combinations of calcium decay, calcium voltage shift of activation, and temperature sensitivity are able to match static voltage clamp data although differ in their effects on hysteresis and maximal current within prolonged temperature ramp simulations.
ContributorsDudebout, Eric (Author) / Crook, Sharon (Thesis director) / Van Horn, Wade (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
The Phoenician language was an ancient language spoken by the Phoenicians in modern day Lebanon. The goal of this project is to research the language, looking at the alphabet, inspecting sounds of how the language was spoken (phonology/morphology), as well as the languages structure (grammar, word order, syntax). As well as adding onto the history of the language, the people, culture, and what made the language ultimately die out.
ContributorsHaddad, Yasmine (Author) / Lopez-Villegas, Cristian (Thesis director) / Pruitt, Kathryn (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Division of Teacher Preparation (Contributor) / Department of English (Contributor)
Created2024-05
DescriptionIn this project we explored the possibility of creating an international student festival here at ASU through interviews and research. We compiled together everything that would be needed to run such an event efficiently and properly.
ContributorsLacno, James (Author) / Coleman, Audrey (Co-author) / Seagrave, Adam (Thesis director) / Bhatti-Klug, Renee (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
Fumonisins are fungal metabolites found in corn and cereals. Fumonisins pose health risks, including suspected carcinogenicity, yet their mechanism of toxicity remains unclear. While modifications in the human gut microbiome can impact host health, the effects of fumonisins on the microbiome are not well understood. Thus, our study aimed to assess a possible dose-response relationship between fumonisin B1 (FB1) and the gut microbiome. We utilized in vitro anaerobic bioreactors with media simulating most of the nutrients in the human large intestine, inoculated them with fecal samples from 19 healthy adults and treated them with FB1 at concentrations of 0, 10, 100, and 1000 ppb. Analyses of bioreactor headspace revealed declining methane production over time, possibly influenced by the addition of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Significant differences in acetic acid production were observed in 10 ppb reactor (Day 2) and 100 ppb reactor (Day 8) when compared to 0 ppb control. Microbiome analysis showed minimal shifts in microbial relative abundances during FB1 treatment, except for Desulfovibrio desulfuricans C at Day 8 when compared between 0 ppb and 10 ppb as well as 10 ppb and 1000 ppb at Day 16. Alpha diversity analyses indicated significant differences in observed features within bioreactors of different treatments, with some variation in Faith’s Phylogenetic Diversity between the 0 ppb and 10 ppb bioreactors. Beta diversity analyses, however, revealed no significant differences between bioreactors. Overall, our findings suggest no clear dose-response relationship between FB1 treatment and gut microbiome composition/functions. The presence of DMSO may have obscured potential effects. This research will help contribute to our understanding of mycotoxicity influence on the human gut microbiome.
ContributorsSanchez Carreon, Aurely (Author) / Krajmalnik-Brown, Rosa (Thesis director) / Cheng, Qiwen (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
Curanderismo can be defined as a blend between ancient Aztec natural healing methods and modern day Catholicism. Today, it is practiced through various techniques, which can be observed in yerberias. Upon visiting these yerberias, the attendants were interviewed to understand which products are commonly sold, what they are used to treat, and the cultural significance behind the practice. After purchasing a number of products from each yerberia, a literature analysis of potential biochemical pathways was conducted to determine if these products have efficacy in what they treat. While potential pathways were found for a number of the products, it has been determined that further clinical research must be conducted to state whether these products are effective in treatment.
ContributorsDickey, Erin (Author) / Mullenmeister, William (Co-author) / Breitweiser, Mya (Co-author) / Holechek, Susan (Thesis director) / Redding, Kevin (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor)
Created2024-05