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- Creators: Arizona State University
- Creators: Barrett, The Honors College
Description
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most commonly transmitted STI and isresponsible for an estimated 5% of cancer cases worldwide. HPV infection is implicated
in 70% of cervical cancer incidence and is also responsible for a variety of oropharyngeal
and anogenital cancers. While vaccination has greatly reduced the cervical cancer
burden in developed countries, HPV infection remains high in developing countries due
to high cost and poor access to healthcare. Several studies have highlighted the
presence of anti-HPV antibodies following infection and their potential use as
biomarkers for developing novel screening methods. Progression from initial infection to
cancer is slow, thus presenting an opportunity for effective screening programs.
Biomarker screening is an important area of cancer detection and Lateral Flow Assays
(LFA) are a low cost, easy to use alternative to other screening methods that require
extensive training and laboratory space. Therefore, this project proposes as a hypothesis
that the development of an LFA screening for HPV specific IgG can provide clinically
relevant data for the early detection of cervical dysplasia. This project adapts an LFA in a
multiplexed format for fluorescence-based serologic detection of HPV specific IgG in
patient plasma.
ContributorsJohns, William (Author) / Anderson, Karen (Thesis advisor) / Lake, Douglas (Committee member) / Hogue, Brenda (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2023
Description
Novel means are needed to diagnose neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) and cancer, given delays in medical diagnosis and rising rates of disease incidence, prevalence, and mortality worldwide. Development of NDDs and cancer has been linked to environmental toxins. Ensuing epigenetic changes may serve as helpful biomarkers to diagnose amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s Disease (PD), and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) as well as various cancers sooner and more accurately. This dissertation tabulates and evaluates a spectrum of diagnostic matrixes (i.e., soil, sewage sludge, blood) and markers of disease to inform disease surveillance. A literature search using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and Bradford Hill criteria implicated BMAA, formaldehyde, Mn, Hg, and Zn as environmental factors with strong association to ALS risk. Another PRISMA search identified epigenetic changes (e.g., DNA methylation) in NDD patients associated with environmental toxic exposures to air pollutants, heavy metals, and organic chemicals. Of the 180 environmental toxins hypothesized to be associated with AD, PD, or ALS, four heavy metals (As, Cd, Mn, and Hg) were common to these NDDs. Sources, as well as evidence and proxies of human exposure to these heavy metals and Pb were investigated here, namely the metal industries, and metal concentrations in topsoil, sewage sludge, and blood. Concentrations of Cd and Pb in sewage sludge were found to be significantly correlated with NDD prevalence rates in co-located populations (state-level) with odds ratios of 2.91 and 4.08, respectively. Markers of exposure and disease in urine and feces were also evaluated using PRISMA, finding 73 of 94 epigenetic biomarker panels to be valid for tracking primarily gastric and urinary cancers. In all studies, geospatial analyses indicated a preference in study cohorts located in the U.S., Europe, and the northern hemisphere, leaving underserved many populous regions particularly in the southern hemisphere. This dissertation draws attention to sewage sludge as a currently underutilized proxy matrix for assessing toxic human exposures and further identified a spectrum of particularly attractive, non-invasive biomarkers for future diagnostic use to promote early detection, survivability, and quality of life of individuals at risk of NDDs and cancer.
ContributorsNewell, Melanie Engstrom (Author) / Halden, Rolf U. (Thesis advisor) / Mastroeni, Diego (Committee member) / Lee, Heewook (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2023
Description
Despite popular belief, war is a highly regulated endeavor. Military operations cannot be permitted to take place in a regulatory vacuum. According to the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law, there are currently 110 armed conflicts, most of which are non-international. (Today’s Armed Conflicts, 2024) The law of war exists to protect those who are involved and those who are not involved in the conflict. The first step in the regulatory process is understanding what situations trigger different types of law. Understanding conflict characterization and the law's applicability is necessary for prosecution and operations planning. Two primary documents regulate armed conflicts: the Hague Convention and the Geneva Conventions. The Hague Conventions set out rules for conducting war, and the Geneva Conventions protect the victims of war. In this paper, the Geneva Conventions (GC) will be the primary research focus as I am specifically interested in protecting victims. We apply different Geneva Convention rules based on the characterization of a given conflict.
Geneva Conventions give vague regulations applicable to conflicts. The main reason for such vagueness was to make this document universal enough for many states to ratify it. However, such vagueness has political ramifications, as state leaders utilize the gray areas of international law in their interests. (International Committee of the Red Cross, 2023)
One such gray area is the fact that the current international documents do not provide a precise characterization of war. The problem of this uncertainty is that there has been the need to address the legal issues on a case-by-case basis. While I acknowledge that every case should have special attention, it is also essential to bring as much universality to them as possible to make the prosecution process more accessible and make international law more just and predictable. Therefore, this paper answers the following question: How can the text of the Geneva Conventions be strengthened to prevent political biases and increase humanitarian protections?
This topic has a well-developed research foundation. I am relying on some previous works in the area, including the ones written by Corn and Gal. Corn’s “Legal Classifications of Military Operations” focuses on the issue of characterizing non-international armed conflicts and their application to the conflict between the U.S. and al-Queda. Gal’s “Unexplored Outcomes of Tadić” introduces the conflict between the ICC and ICJ in dealing with Tadić precedent. I utilize these scholars’ work as the foundation of the issue I am researching, and I propose solutions to the problems presented by the scholars.
This paper addresses some of the major problems in defining armed conflict in international law, particularly defining non-international armed conflict and defining conflicts between a state and a non-state actor. My two main issues discuss concern (1) establishing the existence of an armed conflict for legal purposes and (2) differentiating between two types of conflict. I look into two sides of a coin: international armed conflict (IAC) and non-international armed conflict (NIAC). The primary debate in characterizing NIAC arises from a disagreement over what constitutes mere violence and what constitutes NIAC. The discussion on IAC arises from arguments aiming at expanding the definition of IAC to the conflicts traditionally classified as NIACs. This second question is essential as the rules governing IAC provide more protection to civilians and POWs compared to the ones governing NIACs.
I started by exploring how international law is applied to conflicts and discussing how different characterizations trigger other parts of the law. I later delved into defining a non-international armed conflict (NIAC), as there is no numeric threshold for what makes mere violence a NIAC. There is a need for a more specific threshold, and some challenges are associated with implementing it.
I later discuss a second major issue: international conflicts that involve a state and a non-state actor. International tribunals should treat such cases as an international armed conflict rather than NIAC and present challenges to applying the law to non-state actors.
ContributorsDzon, Alona (Author) / Hanson, Margaret (Thesis director) / Peskin, Victor (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
This thesis addresses the impact of algorithmic programming on judicial decision-making and the court-appointed attorney (CAA) process, focusing on the intersection of technology and judicial discretion at the Tempe Municipal Court. The primary inquiry of this thesis explores how algorithmic and digital programming, creating an automated system, can enhance equitable access to legal representation for indigent criminal defendants by making the CAA process more uniform. This project implements back-end algorithmic calculations to provide judges with system recommendations by using the Qualtrics survey software to create a digital version of the paper-based Form 5C. The "System Recommendation Tool" streamlines the process by presenting concise encapsulations of defendants' Form 5C responses and algorithmically derived recommendations regarding CAA qualification and contribution amounts.
Significant disparities between the digital system's recommendations and judicial outcomes emerge through analyzing 80 Form 5Cs and their corresponding judicial decisions. These disparities underscore the need for further refinement of the digital system and the possibility of increased use of judicial discretion and consideration of additional factors beyond the Form 5C. While recognizing the system's potential benefits, this research emphasizes the importance of continuous testing and refinement and ongoing consultation with judges. Ultimately, the digital system is a complementary tool to judicial decision-making rather than a replacement.
ContributorsSharma, Poorva (Author) / Broberg, Gregory (Thesis director) / Kane, Kevin (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / School of Social Transformation (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
Black American art and artists have dramatically impacted U.S. and world history and culture. This is a creative and historical project for Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University. I have virtually curated works from Black American artists throughout the 17th and 21st centuries that show the emergence of Black history and the art that expressed it. The project is a timeline of various media, such as sculpture, painting, and poetry. This text comes with a Squarespace site where these works are displayed with introductory information that resembles those of a didactic label at a museum. Growing up as a little kid, I was always intrigued by history and the arts, but I barely learned about the art Black Americans created in school. With this project, I hope to share this research with a broader audience to learn more about the rich historical context of black art and to feel represented. Seeing yourself in an artwork that moves you inspires the artist within you; it did for me.
Link to the website: https://grasshopper-pike-6cd5.squarespace.com/contact-me
ContributorsLee, Brielle (Author) / Haines, Chelsea (Thesis director) / Stancliff, Michael (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Art (Contributor) / School of Humanities, Arts, and Cultural Studies (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
Papago Park Outreach is a non-profit organization dedicated towards reducing negative externalities associated with houselessness. Donors can access papagoparkoutreach.org's storefront and purchase items for distribution to the homeless community in Tempe. The items available for purchase and distribution alleviate the burden assumed by public resources, improve unsheltered quality of life and facilitate research on the 'Donation Gap'.
In its first month, Papago Park Outreach received orders for 35 items, which were fulfilled and distributed to unhoused individuals living in Tempe.
ContributorsZehrung, Ashley (Author) / Byrne, Jared (Thesis director) / McCreless, Tam (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Economics (Contributor)
Created2024-05
DescriptionThis thesis discusses the topics of Generative Artificial Intelligence and Screenwriting, and how they come together. Although the 2023 writer's strike restricted the usage of GAI, there is a high probability given how fast technology advances, that GAI will be used to write formulaic narratives for screenplays.
ContributorsChim, Natalie (Author) / Bernstein, Gregory (Thesis director) / LaMont, Chris (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor) / The Sidney Poitier New American Film School (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
Patient-physician interactions are the cornerstone of healthcare delivery, with the potential to significantly influence patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency. The quality of patient-physician interactions is pivotal in facilitating efficient communication concerning patient care and treatment. This relationship impacts the patient's adherence to medical advice and trust in healthcare. Considering the diversity of the patient population, there are a multitude of pertinent variables to take into account, including but not limited to English proficiency, race, educational attainment, age, gender, and socioeconomic status. How do patient-physician communication patterns and demographic variables impact patient comprehension, perception of communication efficacy, and healthcare outcomes across diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds? The purpose of this thesis is to comprehensively understand the characteristics underlying effective patient-physician communication and its impact on patient compliance, retention of medical information, and healthcare outcomes. By addressing racial, cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic disparities in healthcare, the research aims to establish a universal foundation for augmenting patient-centered care. The methodology of this research included an extensive literature review, shadowing of clinical visits, and patient care, along with the distribution of a survey to patients to gain insight into their satisfaction with healthcare. Practical applications include the development of targeted interventions, communication training programs for healthcare providers, and the formulation of policies aimed at improving patient outcomes and healthcare system efficiency. This research paper investigates the impact of physician attitudes on patient understanding and overall health through a comprehensive analysis of survey data collected from 115 individuals attending various clinics. Our findings highlight the significance of quality healthcare delivery in fostering favorable patient experiences, with 63.5% of respondents rating their visits as excellent or very good. Effective communication emerges as a key determinant of patient satisfaction, with 64.4% of respondents rating communication as excellent or very good. However, a notable proportion of respondents (26.9%) rated their overall satisfaction as neutral or dissatisfied, indicating areas for improvement in patient satisfaction related to unaddressed concerns or inadequate communication. Gender-related concerns, reactive versus proactive medicine, mental health, and shared decision-making emerge as overlooked topics in current clinical practice. Our observations underscore the need for a holistic approach that addresses patients' psychosocial and emotional needs alongside medical concerns. Gender-related differences in care delivery are evident, with female patients reporting feeling dismissed or misunderstood by male doctors, particularly regarding issues related to pain or reproductive health. Female physicians are associated with a greater likelihood of receiving preventive counseling and gender-specific screening, highlighting the importance of gender diversity in healthcare. Furthermore, patients express frustration with a reactive approach to medicine, advocating for a higher focus on addressing the underlying causes of health issues rather than merely treating symptoms. Patients also desire more information about natural remedies and holistic treatment options, emphasizing the importance of incorporating these discussions into shared decision-making between doctors and patients. The study underscores the pivotal role of specific provider qualities such as communication, empathy, and attention to patient comfort in patient-centered care delivery. The comprehension and cooperation rating between the doctor and patient was 81.8% excellent and good with a remaining of 18.2% indicating the need for a more interactive visit. Based on the survey, the important qualities of a provider from highest to lowest ranking include: communication (listening and understanding), empathy and kindness, medical knowledge proficiency, and quality listening. Due to the heavy importance on communication, it is imperative for healthcare providers to gain the necessary skills to cater to and address many of the concerns of their patients outside of simple medical knowledge. Given the doctor explanation comprehension rating of 25.2% being somewhat clear and not so clear, it is necessary for providers to develop their patient communication skills to optimize patient satisfaction and compliance. Cultural competency emerges as a critical aspect of providing effective and equitable care to patients from diverse backgrounds. However, there are limitations to the study, including the relatively small sample size and potential response bias. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of the doctor-patient interaction and underscore the importance of effective communication, patient-centered care, and shared decision-making in promoting positive patient outcomes. According to the patient experience survey, talking more in depth about the patient treatment plan and taking the time to display eagerness to help and be active in one’s health will significantly enhance visit satisfaction. In addition to patients' ratings of physician level of empathy and respect consisting of 93% of respondents as exceeded or met expectations, the patient confidence in their health situation out of 10 was 6 and above for 90 percent of the survey respondents. However, with the shared decision making rating, 28.3% of respondents felt being somewhat involved or a little involved in their own care. By addressing patient needs and preferences and fostering collaborative relationships between physicians and patients, healthcare providers can enhance patient satisfaction, adherence to treatment recommendations, and overall health outcomes.
ContributorsAbdul, Zahir (Author) / La Crosse, Amber (Co-author) / Agu, Nnenna (Thesis director) / Markabawi, Bashar (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
Examining the effect of various factors such as class, gender, and status on health inequalities in India is crucial for improving access to health services. However, most research on castes in India is done using broad, government-defined categories, including “Scheduled Castes,” “Scheduled Tribes,” “Forward Classes,” and “Other Backwards Classes.” These general categories erase the experiences that more specific caste groups have in their health and their livelihood. Using the 2015-2016 Demographic and Health Survey of India, this study analyzes data on 699,686 women aged 15-49 to investigate the association of socioeconomic status, assessed by wealth, education, and community status on two types of contraceptive use–sterilization and other modern methods. Those with secondary education or higher were much less likely to be sterilized and more likely to use non-sterilization forms of modern contraception. Interestingly, those with greater household wealth were more likely to be sterilized but had no different chance of using non-sterilization forms of modern contraception. After controlling for other socioeconomic factors, members of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes are more likely to be sterilized. However, there was additional heterogeneity between groups, with Muslim groups and Northeastern tribes much less likely to be sterilized, and Southern tribes more likely to be sterilized. Moreover, Muslim groups as well as Northern and Northeastern tribes were more likely to use non-sterilizations forms of contraception, whereas Southern tribes were less likely to use non-sterilization forms of contraception. These findings illustrate that in addition to differences by major caste categories, there is still religious and regional variation in the likelihood of using different forms of contraception. Future research should examine how unique community factors erased within the already present government caste system can affect health. In addition, more research should be done on the various effects of discrimination faced by these communities and how this discrimination affects their health education, access, and autonomy.
ContributorsChandra, Natasha (Author) / Hruschka, Daniel (Thesis director) / Drake, Alexandria (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Human Evolution & Social Change (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
With a recent boom in the popularity of Large Language Model (LLM) chatbots such as ChatGPT, the generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) landscape has seen a massive increase in market size. Along with this boom in generative AI, other sectors of AI have seen massive growth as well. One such area of interest is the Edge AI software market. Because this market is so new, there is an immense amount of room for growth and profit since most firms have yet to obtain a firm foothold in this space. Therefore, it makes sense that Intel is seeking to enter this market. With the successful release of OpenVINO, an open-source AI development and optimization program, and GETi, a program for the development and deployment of computer vision models, Intel is seeking to understand the market landscape, overall potential returns, and broad applications for contingency in various scenarios before making further investments into this market.
Through our in-depth analysis of the market, which examines current competitors, and includes top-down and bottom-up analyses, we were able to create a detailed picture of potential market states, their effects on our recommendation, and the initial outlay needed for Intel to actively pursue our recommendation. As for our final recommendation, we believe that Intel should continue to market OpenVINO to draw users into Intel’s hardware ecosystem, similar to what Apple did with the iPhone, which will allow Intel to obtain a greater market share and long-term user loyalty. Software-hardware synergies will continue to drive an increase in Intel’s overall profits. This secondary source of hardware sales will be insulated from the cyclical nature of the CPU market, allowing for less variability in revenues during market downturns. This decrease in the hardware sales cycle should lead to higher stock prices and increase stakeholder confidence. Successful implementation of these strategies boosts the success of future Intel product launches and stops any competitors from entering the market, solidifying Intel’s hold on its market share.
ContributorsMto, Penina Feza (Author) / Bombardieri, Tristan (Co-author) / Stearns, Dawson (Co-author) / Trufanov, Nicholas (Co-author) / Simonson, Mark (Thesis director) / Hertzel, Mike (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor)
Created2024-05