Matching Items (28)
Description
This project analyzes the diversity of the various Chinese languages present in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The diversity and presence of these languages can be used to make inferences about different aspects of the Chinese American community in the Phoenix area, and therefore the dialects and compared to other aspects of the Chinese American immigration experience, such as where immigrants are from, what areas of Phoenix they reside, and the Chinese language skills of both the participants and their children. The data is then presented with historical context of the Phoenix Chinese community as well as a brief discussion on the current Chinese community in Phoenix as well as the acculturation of Chinese American children.
ContributorsMartin, Adam (Author) / Li, Wei (Thesis director) / Xie, Siqiao (Committee member) / Chemical Engineering Program (Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2021-05
Description
The objective of this study was to understand domestic and foreign-born housekeeper's individual perceptions of labor mobility and job satisfaction related to their jobs within the hospitality industry. Literature regarding the bridging of tourism, immigration, and labor supply was addressed to expose broad conceptual frameworks that lead to the development of this study. More specifically, literature regarding labor mobility within tourism industries, migrant decision making, and barriers to mobility and immigration helped to construct a narrowed conceptual framework specific to hospitality labor in Phoenix, Arizona. Similar and previous studies focused on perceived labor mobility during significant economic or industry shifts. This study included the addition of a policy factor to help determine to what degree state policy change effected hospitality workers' perceived labor mobility. Arizona's recently passed and implemented legislative act SB1070 regards immigrant identification and employment, and enforcement of the act in the state of Arizona; this serves as the implicated policy change. Data were collected via on-site survey administered February to May 2011. An overall score was created for the five motivational dimensions: 1 — Status; 2 — Economic; 3 — Refugee; 4 — Entrepreneurial; and, 5 — Political using principle component factor analysis using a varimax rotation with Kaiser normalization. Theory and literature suggest that the economic advancement, status advancement, and the refugee orientation are effective explanatory variables for motivating a career move into the tourism industry. A total of 82 questionnaires were delivered and completed (N = 82), and none were eliminated. The statistically-determined Economic Dimension was characterized by eleven statements explained 51% of the variation and was the overwhelming motivational force. The average coded response for change in job satisfaction was very positive at .75. Ten features of changes in job satisfaction were used as the basis of the second measure of change in job satisfaction. The first Principle Component of the ten features of job satisfaction change explained 45% of the variation in these features and loadings were positive near or above 0.60 for all items. The relationship between variations in each of the measurements of change in job satisfaction and motivating factors was explored using regression analysis. The two dependent variables were Overall Change and First Principle Component, and the independent variables for both regressions included the four motivating factors as measured by the rotated factors scores to represent dimensions of Economic, Status, Refugee and Entrepreneurial. In addition to the motivational factors, four demographic variables were included as independent variables to account for personal and situational differences. None of the regression coefficients were significant at even the 10% level. Although this result was expected, the positive sign of regression coefficients suggest that expectations of working as a housekeepers results in a positive outcome. Understanding this relationship further is necessary, and seeking larger sample sizes over a longer period of time would be most beneficial to this field of research.
ContributorsCasson, Mallory (Author) / Tyrrell, Timothy (Thesis advisor) / Budruk, Megha (Committee member) / Li, Wei (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2011
Description
This paper is based on a research undertaking to understand China's presence in Africa and how this relates to Western relations with the continent. The research attempts to determine which option, Europe/US or the Chinese, may be the most suitable partner in development for Africa, as well as discuss what can be done to maximize the benefits, and mitigate the negative aspects of that relationship. A comparative analysis approach is used to judge the viability of each partner, and each is assessed according to a set of criteria, including the following: 1. Equitable and Respectful Relations 2. Maintenance of Sovereignty 3. Ability and Willingness to Finance Sustainable Development in Africa 4. Shared Experience and Understanding 5. Historical Element Drawing on the collected research presented in this document, the major finding is that the Chinese have a fundamentally different approach to aid and investment, and harbor conceptually distinctive ideas regarding development than the West. Based on the outcome of the comparative study against the above criteria, it is suggested that Africa may benefit from selecting China as a partner in achieving its own sustainable development, and suggestions are offered to effectively leverage this partnership.
ContributorsBoucher, Sara Alexandra (Author) / Aubrey, Lisa (Thesis director) / Li, Wei (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / W. P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / School of Social Transformation (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
This research project investigated known and novel differential genetic variants and their associated molecular pathways involved in Type II diabetes mellitus for the purpose of improving diagnosis and treatment methods. The goal of this investigation was to 1) identify the genetic variants and SNPs in Type II diabetes to develop a gene regulatory pathway, and 2) utilize this pathway to determine suitable drug therapeutics for prevention and treatment. Using a Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), a set of 1000 gene identifiers from a Mayo Clinic database was analyzed to determine the most significant genetic variants related to insulin signaling pathways involved in Type II Diabetes. The following genes were identified: NRAS, KRAS, PIK3CA, PDE3B, TSC1, AKT3, SOS1, NEU1, PRKAA2, AMPK, and ACC. In an extensive literature review and cross-analysis with Kegg and Reactome pathway databases, novel SNPs located on these gene variants were identified and used to determine suitable drug therapeutics for treatment. Overall, understanding how genetic mutations affect target gene function related to Type II Diabetes disease pathology is crucial to the development of effective diagnosis and treatment. This project provides new insight into the molecular basis of the Type II Diabetes, serving to help untangle the regulatory complexity of the disease and aid in the advancement of diagnosis and treatment. Keywords: Type II Diabetes mellitus, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, genetic variants, KEGG Insulin Pathway, gene-regulatory pathway
ContributorsBucklin, Lindsay (Co-author) / Davis, Vanessa (Co-author) / Holechek, Susan (Thesis director) / Wang, Junwen (Committee member) / Nyarige, Verah (Committee member) / School of Human Evolution & Social Change (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
Objective: This study examined how the belief (internalization) in the model minority myth of achievement orientation and of unrestricted mobility relates to one’s social awareness of racial inequity and inequality in society (critical consciousness) amongst Asian American college students. Methods: Participants (N = 275, 67.7% female, M_age = 22.35) were recruited from Asian American ethnic studies classes, clubs and organizations and completed an online cross-sectional survey. Results: Results indicated that internalization of achievement orientation significantly correlated with levels of racial critical consciousness while unrestricted mobility did not. Conclusion: These findings extend research exploring the correlates of critical consciousness on internalization of racial stereotypes for Asian Americans.
ContributorsMatriano, Ronae (Author) / Yoo, Hyung Chol (Thesis director) / Atkin, Annabelle (Committee member) / Li, Wei (Committee member) / School of Social Transformation (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Hugh Downs School of Human Communication (Contributor) / Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
This research project investigated known and novel differential genetic variants and their associated molecular pathways involved in Type II diabetes mellitus for the purpose of improving diagnosis and treatment methods. The goal of this investigation was to 1) identify the genetic variants and SNPs in Type II diabetes to develop a gene regulatory pathway, and 2) utilize this pathway to determine suitable drug therapeutics for prevention and treatment. Using a Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), a set of 1000 gene identifiers from a Mayo Clinic database was analyzed to determine the most significant genetic variants related to insulin signaling pathways involved in Type II Diabetes. The following genes were identified: NRAS, KRAS, PIK3CA, PDE3B, TSC1, AKT3, SOS1, NEU1, PRKAA2, AMPK, and ACC. In an extensive literature review and cross-analysis with Kegg and Reactome pathway databases, novel SNPs located on these gene variants were identified and used to determine suitable drug therapeutics for treatment. Overall, understanding how genetic mutations affect target gene function related to Type II Diabetes disease pathology is crucial to the development of effective diagnosis and treatment. This project provides new insight into the molecular basis of the Type II Diabetes, serving to help untangle the regulatory complexity of the disease and aid in the advancement of diagnosis and treatment.
ContributorsDavis, Vanessa Brooke (Co-author) / Bucklin, Lindsay (Co-author) / Holechek, Susan (Thesis director) / Wang, Junwen (Committee member) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
As immigrants in the United States, Chinese small business entrepreneurs often encountered social and cultural barriers in the areas of finance, language, and employment in their new environment. This dissertation investigated how they utilized social capital to surmount the embedded disadvantages of an unequal market in their adopted country. The findings presented in this qualitative descriptive multi-case analysis, conducted in the greater metropolitan regions of Phoenix and Los Angeles, demonstrated the importance of social and transnational ties created in the United States within the local Chinese community as well as their social connections brought from China.
Drawing upon the data from in-depth interviews and informal observations, this dissertation was guided by three research questions: (a) What barriers do immigrant small business owners encounter? (b) What social connections provide help for immigrant small business owners to overcome those barriers or intensify their disadvantaged situations? (c) How do social networks influence immigrant small business development? The findings revealed many provocative facts on how social capital stimulated Chinese immigrant small business owners.
The influence of local and strong ties especially provided essential start-up funds, an affordable labor force. Those ties also provided authentication for business information provided by weak ties. Although the governments’ Small Business Administration empowers small business by various programs because it is an important social and economic element in the U.S. market, the Chinese community rarely utilized this support.
Transnational connections played an important role in the relatively mature market found in Los Angeles, but indeed all respondents in both case studies exhibited great interest in utilizing transnational connections to explore business opportunities. Regional connections provided a powerful resource for Chinese small business to create business alliance and increase their market competitiveness. Social capital embeds in a complexity of political, economic, social and personal backgrounds. In summary, social capital was an essential resource for Chinese small business when they encountered the barriers in the local market. From the findings, this dissertation’s scholarly contribution adds to the field of social capital studies by combining the investigation of social capital, embeddedness, intersectionality and transnational connections in respect to study immigrant entrepreneurship.
Drawing upon the data from in-depth interviews and informal observations, this dissertation was guided by three research questions: (a) What barriers do immigrant small business owners encounter? (b) What social connections provide help for immigrant small business owners to overcome those barriers or intensify their disadvantaged situations? (c) How do social networks influence immigrant small business development? The findings revealed many provocative facts on how social capital stimulated Chinese immigrant small business owners.
The influence of local and strong ties especially provided essential start-up funds, an affordable labor force. Those ties also provided authentication for business information provided by weak ties. Although the governments’ Small Business Administration empowers small business by various programs because it is an important social and economic element in the U.S. market, the Chinese community rarely utilized this support.
Transnational connections played an important role in the relatively mature market found in Los Angeles, but indeed all respondents in both case studies exhibited great interest in utilizing transnational connections to explore business opportunities. Regional connections provided a powerful resource for Chinese small business to create business alliance and increase their market competitiveness. Social capital embeds in a complexity of political, economic, social and personal backgrounds. In summary, social capital was an essential resource for Chinese small business when they encountered the barriers in the local market. From the findings, this dissertation’s scholarly contribution adds to the field of social capital studies by combining the investigation of social capital, embeddedness, intersectionality and transnational connections in respect to study immigrant entrepreneurship.
ContributorsKwoh, Jing Yu Xin Yu Xiao (Author) / Jurik, Nancy (Thesis advisor) / Li, Wei (Committee member) / Johnson, John (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2019
Description
High throughput transcriptome data analysis like Single-cell Ribonucleic Acid sequencing (scRNA-seq) and Circular Ribonucleic Acid (circRNA) data have made significant breakthroughs, especially in cancer genomics. Analysis of transcriptome time series data is core in identifying time point(s) where drastic changes in gene transcription are associated with homeostatic to non-homeostatic cellular transition (tipping points). In Chapter 2 of this dissertation, I present a novel cell-type specific and co-expression-based tipping point detection method to identify target gene (TG) versus transcription factor (TF) pairs whose differential co-expression across time points drive biological changes in different cell types and the time point when these changes are observed. This method was applied to scRNA-seq data sets from a SARS-CoV-2 study (18 time points), a human cerebellum development study (9 time points), and a lung injury study (18 time points). Similarly, leveraging transcriptome data across treatment time points, I developed methodologies to identify treatment-induced and cell-type specific differentially co-expressed pairs (DCEPs). In part one of Chapter 3, I presented a pipeline that used a series of statistical tests to detect DCEPs. This method was applied to scRNA-seq data of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) sequenced across cancer treatment times. However, this pipeline does not account for correlations among multiple single cells from the same sample and correlations among multiple samples from the same patient. In Part 2 of Chapter 3, I presented a solution to this problem using a mixed-effect model. In Chapter 4, I present a summary of my work that focused on the cross-species analysis of circRNA transcriptome time series data. I compared circRNA profiles in neonatal pig and mouse hearts, identified orthologous circRNAs, and discussed regulation mechanisms of cardiomyocyte proliferation and myocardial regeneration conserved between mouse and pig at different time points.
ContributorsNyarige, Verah Mocheche (Author) / Liu, Li (Thesis advisor) / Wang, Junwen (Thesis advisor) / Dinu, Valentin (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2022
Description
Beta-Amyloid(Aβ) plaques and tau protein tangles in the brain are now widely recognized as the defining hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), followed by structural atrophy detectable on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. However, current methods to detect Aβ/tau pathology are either invasive (lumbar puncture) or quite costly and not widely available (positron emission tomography (PET)). And one of the particular neurodegenerative regions is the hippocampus to which the influence of Aβ/tau on has been one of the research projects focuses in the AD pathophysiological progress.
In this dissertation, I proposed three novel machine learning and statistical models to examine subtle aspects of the hippocampal morphometry from MRI that are associated with Aβ /tau burden in the brain, measured using PET images. The first model is a novel unsupervised feature reduction model to generate a low-dimensional representation of hippocampal morphometry for each individual subject, which has superior performance in predicting Aβ/tau burden in the brain. The second one is an efficient federated group lasso model to identify the hippocampal subregions where atrophy is strongly associated with abnormal Aβ/Tau. The last one is a federated model for imaging genetics, which can identify genetic and transcriptomic influences on hippocampal morphometry. Finally, I stated the results of these three models that have been published or submitted to peer-reviewed conferences and journals.
ContributorsWu, Jianfeng (Author) / Wang, Yalin (Thesis advisor) / Li, Baoxin (Committee member) / Liang, Jianming (Committee member) / Wang, Junwen (Committee member) / Wu, Teresa (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2022
Description
Increasing globalization and the knowledge-based economy creates a higher-than-ever demand for skilled migrant labor. While Global North countries are the traditional destinations for skilled migrants, Global South countries have recently joined the race for such talent. The conventional migration scholarship does not adequately explain this increasing Global-North-to-South skilled migration. This dissertation fills the gap by studying mobility and its underlying factors for skilled U.S. migrants in the Pearl River Delta region of China. Using data from semi-structured interviews and sketch mapping, this dissertation develops a capital-mobility framework and employs intersectionality theory to examine the impacts of skilled U.S. migrants’ capital and intentionality on global and local spatial mobility as well as occupational and social mobility. The first empirical paper highlights skilled U.S. migrants’ cross-border im/mobility and introduces the capital-mobility framework that argues migrants’ im/mobility outcomes are shaped by their aspirations to move, and the accumulation, transferability and convertibility of various forms of capital. While the migrants’ capital was smoothly transferred to China and facilitated their voluntary mobility, the continued accumulation of capital in China could not be fully transferred to the U.S. upon their return, thus causing involuntary immobility. Although they mostly had little intention of staying in China permanently, the COVID-19 accelerated their return. The second empirical chapter shows that one’s accumulation of capital could generate both enabling and limiting effects on their everyday mobility through influencing the capability to move and the demand for local travel. Whether migrants had intention to move around in the local city also affects their everyday im/mobility. The third empirical paper discusses skilled U.S. migrants’ occupational and social mobility and how they are influenced by the intersections of race, gender and citizenship. I coined the term “glass box” to explain the limited professional growth and segregated occupations of skilled U.S. migrants’ occupational mobility in China. Although their social mobility improved after moving to China, it declined after rising racial discrimination and xenophobia during the pandemic. This dissertation sheds light on the aspirations and capabilities for mobility among Global-North-to-South skilled migrants and provides policy recommendations for attracting and retaining skilled international migrants.
ContributorsTan, Yining (Author) / Li, Wei (Thesis advisor) / Tsuda, Takeyuki (Committee member) / Tong, Daoqin (Committee member) / Nelson, Trisalyn (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2022