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- Creators: School of Life Sciences
Description
Social structure is the product of the costs and benefits of group living. Dyadic social bonds in female chacma baboons are strong and long-standing, conferring fitness benefits upon both individuals while contributing to a greater social structure. Longitudinal grooming data collected from 2001-2007 from Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana, illuminate social network dynamics of 50 female chacma baboons. Utilizing social network analysis (SNA), we analyzed social structure above the level of the dyad to see if attribute data (age, rank, and number of close female kin) was predictive of network location. Our SNA data was longitudinal, unbalanced, and continuous. We therefore used linear mixed-effects models (LMEs) and respective AIC/BIC values to choose the most likely predictive attributes for each SNA metric. From the chosen LMEs, rank was present most often. High rank predicted a higher frequency of outward grooming, an overall lower number of grooming partners, and a less extensive social network. It appears that high-ranking females have a fewer number of social bonds than low-ranking females, but that they are stronger. Considering that enduring social bonds result in increased offspring longevity, future studies include examining the potential adaptive value of weak, transient, more numerous social bonds.
ContributorsBest, Megan Renee (Author) / Silk, Joan B. (Thesis director) / Schaefer, David (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Human Evolution and Social Change (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
This project focuses on the history of how teratogens, or agents which have the potential to cause birth defects, have been understood and tested for teratogenic potential in the US over the twentieth century. Prior to this time, teratogen studies were primarily concerned with cataloguing defects rather than exploring possible causes. At the turn of the twentieth century, experimental teratogen studies with the aim of elucidating mechanisms commenced. However, these early studies did not aim to discover human pregnancy outcomes and ways to prevent them, but simply focused on the results of exposing pregnant mammals to various physical and chemical insults. My project documents the change in understanding of teratogens over the twentieth century, the advancement of testing methods, and the causes of these advancements. Through the Embryo Project at Arizona State University (embryo.asu.edu), a digital encyclopedia for topics related to embryology, development, and reproductive medicine, I wrote ten encyclopedic articles that focused on chemical mechanisms of various teratogens, testing limitations in animal models, and legal and regulatory responses to well-known teratogens. As an extension of my previous work, this project bridges the current gap in research and focuses on contextualizing major events in the field of teratology to determine how these events led to various shifts in the understanding of birth defects and their causes, and how those conceptual shifts led to the creation of teratological testing guidelines. Results show that throughout the twentieth century, there are four distinct shifts in the understanding of teratogens: the first being 1900-1945, the second being 1946-1960, the third being 1961-1980, and the fourth being 1981-2000.
ContributorsTantibanchachai, Chanapa (Author) / Maienschein, Jane (Thesis director) / Laubichler, Manfred (Committee member) / O'Neil, Erica (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Hispanic Men's Perspectives Related to Health, Physical Activity, and Nutrition: A Qualitative Study
Description
Hispanic men are a relatively under researched group, especially in regards to their health. The few studies performed on this population have found evidence that institutional barriers and access to information are some of the factors that may be affecting their health (Cherrington, Ayala, Scarinci & Corbie-Smith, 2011). However, little is known about other elements that may be affecting their health. The goal of this study was to attain a better understanding of Hispanic men's perspective related to health, nutrition, and physical activity outside of work. These topics were explored by performing focus group discussions. Each focus group discussion was audio recorded. These recordings were then transcribed and coded. The codes were categorized and examined using thematic analysis to identify key concepts. The purpose of this method was to identify recurring themes across focus groups. The results indicated that institutional barriers do indeed impact the health of this population. Long hours at work were found to have a negative impact on nutrition and a positive impact on physical activity levels for many of the participants. Factors such as spousal support, family involvement, and physical activity at work were some of the factors found to positively impact the health of this population. Due to variable work schedules, it was found that the best way to reach this particular sample with information on health is through their wives.
ContributorsVarela, Monica (Author) / Crespo, Noe (Thesis director) / Garcia Perez, Maria (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2014-05
DescriptionA small-scale aquaponic system was created to demonstrate the sustainable properties of the system as well as the effectiveness of raising fish and plants symbiotically.
ContributorsSerna, Desiree Marie (Author) / Schoon, Michael (Thesis director) / Peterson, Greg (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
The Cannabis plant has historical roots with human beings. The plant produces compounds called cannabinoids, which are responsible for the physiological affects of Cannabis and make it a research candidate for medicinal use. Analysis of the plant and its components will help build a better database that could be used to develop a complete roster of medicinal benefits. Research regarding the cellular protein receptors that bind the cannabinoids may not only help provide reasons explaining why the Cannabis plant could be medicinally relevant, but will also help explain how the receptors originated. The receptors may have been present in organisms before the present day Cannabis plant. So why would there be receptors that bind to cannabinoids? Searching for an endocannabinoid system could help explain the purpose of the cannabinoid receptors and their current structures in humans. Using genetic technologies we are able to take a closer look into the evolutionary history of cannabinoids and the receptors that bind them.
ContributorsSalasnek, Reed Samuel (Author) / Capco, David (Thesis director) / Mangone, Marco (Committee member) / Stump, Edmund (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
This paper explores bicycle amenities at two Bicycle Friendly Universities (BFU), as ranked by the League of American Bicyclists. The reviewed universities, Northern Arizona University (NAU) and University of Arizona (UA), are compared to Arizona State University (ASU) to determine its current level of bicycle friendliness. Research gathered from studies and reports from the three campuses is utilized to compile a list of bicycle facilities and infrastructure that are not currently offered at any of the three universities, as well as to create a set of priorities that Arizona State University can use to implement more programs and facilities before submitting their application to become a Bicycle Friendly University. This paper suggests improvements for Arizona State University involving the campus co-op, a website demonstrating the impact of alternative transportation on the campus community, bike-in events, temporary bike valet at events, organized and faculty-led rides, a bike mentorship program, formal incentive programs for employees and students, way-finding signage and designated bike routes, secure bike parking facilities, and educational courses.
ContributorsMercado, Catherine A (Author) / Golub, Aaron (Thesis director) / O'Brien, Mary (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
Phosphoinositol-Dependent Kinase 1 (PDK1) acts in conjunction with phosphorylated lipids such as Phosphoinositol-3,4,5-triphosphate (PIP3) to activate a variety of proteins that regulate mechanisms ranging from cell growth and survival to cytoskeletal rearrangement. In this investigation PDK1 was examined in the context of cellular division. The techniques of immunocytochemistry and live cell imaging were used to visualize the effects of the inhibition of PDK1 on division in HeLa cells. Division was impaired at metaphase of mitosis. The inhibited cells were unable to initiate anaphase cell-elongation ultimately leading to the flattening of spherical, metaphase cells. Preliminary studies with imunocytochemistry and live cell imaging suggested that insulin treatment reversed PDK1 inhibition, but the results were not statistically significant. Therefore, the recovery of PDK1 inhibition by insulin treatment could not be confirmed. Based on these observations a possible reason for the inability of the treated cells to complete cytokinesis could be the role of PDK1 in the Rho-kinase pathway that is required for the processes cell-elongation necessary for anaphase of mitosis.
ContributorsMasserano, Benjamin Max (Author) / Capco, David (Thesis director) / Baluch, Debra (Committee member) / Chandler, Douglas (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
N. fowleri has been coined the "brain-eating" amoeba, receiving increased attention from both the media and scientific research since its discovery in 1961. While infection is extremely rare, it infects humans through the nasal passage after exposure to contaminated, warm freshwater, causing the brain destroying reaction primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Those infected with PAM present with symptoms such as severe headache and loss of the sense of smell and will typically die within a week thereafter. This fulminant pathogenicity has led to increased awareness of N. fowleri through the news and public health centers. This thesis aims to comprehensively review N. fowleri, the epidemiology and pathology of PAM, interventions against the disease, and how the news has portrayed N. fowleri and PAM. This thesis also strives to raise ethical and thought-provoking questions about how much media coverage and research funding N. fowleri receives given its rarity, as well as explore its value and novel contributions to understanding disease as a whole.
ContributorsFerrell, Chantell Isabell (Author) / Buetow, Kenneth (Thesis director) / Neisewander, Janet (Committee member) / McGlynn, Katherine (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
This project examines a complex issue in urban ecology: the impact of biodiversity on ecosystem services, and considers how this varies across cities. Data were gathered on multiple economic and ecological parameters for a selection of seven cities around the world and analyzed via multiple linear regression in order to assess any relationships that may be at play. Significance values were then calculated to further define the relationships between the data. Analysis found that both biophysical and socioeconomic factors affected ecosystem services, although not all hypotheses regarding these relationships were met. Conclusions indicate that this model was fairly effective in describing physical drivers of ecosystem services, but were not as clear regarding social drivers. Further study regarding social parameters' effect on ecosystem services is recommended.
ContributorsMcDannald, Lindsay JoAnne (Author) / Perrings, Charles (Thesis director) / Kinzig, Ann (Committee member) / Grimm, Nancy (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / School of Sustainability (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
The development of skeletal muscle during embryogenesis and repair in adults is dependent on the intricate balance between the proliferation of myogenic progenitor cells and the differentiation of those cells into functional muscle fibers. Recent studies demonstrate that the Drosophila melanogaster transcription factor CG9650 is expressed in muscle progenitor cells, where it maintains myoblast numbers. We are interested in the Mus musculus orthologs Bcl11a and Bcl11b (C2H2 zinc finger transcription factors), and understanding their role as molecular switches that control proliferation/differentiation decisions in muscle progenitor cells. Expression analysis revealed that Bcl11b, but not Bcl11a, is expressed in the region of the mouse embryo populated with myogenic progenitor cells; gene expression studies in muscle cell culture confirmed Bcl11b is also selectively transcribed in muscle. Furthermore, Bcl11b is down-regulated with differentiation, which is consistent with the belief that the gene plays a role in cell proliferation.
ContributorsDuong, Brittany Bach (Author) / Rawls, Alan (Thesis director) / Wilson-Rawls, Jeanne (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2014-05