19468 research outputs found
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Grace Under Pressure: An Aesthetic Study of Cool, Tight Space Vocal Choreography in Televised Motown and Popular R&B Performances from 1960 to 1971
No full textThrough close readings of recorded performances from the most popular music variety shows of the era, this study traces the “cool” aesthetic that dominated 20th century American dance that accompanied music performances, from tap dancers performing with big bands in the early 20th century to Motown’s iconic routines. How did the tight-space, cool movement aesthetics of Cholly Atkins’ vocal choreography, borrowed from the American tap dance tradition and reflected in concurrent forms of popular dance, reflect the cultural politics of the period that are expressed in the music it accompanies, visualizes, and ultimately extends?American StudiesBachelors of Arts (BA
Induction and Quantification of shRNA-Induced Cacna1g Knockdown in the Mesencephalic Locomotor Region of Mice
No full textLocomotion is initiated in the brain through the activity of supraspinal networks that project to spinal cord central pattern generators. Of great importance in this pathway is the mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR), a command center that, when electrically stimulated in animal models, elicits and modulates locomotion. The molecular mechanisms, specifically the ion channels and ionic currents, that activate nuclei of the MLR and thus contribute to locomotor program initiation are incompletely understood. We hypothesize that glutamatergic neurons in the MLR become active following disinhibition, which allows MLR neurons to cause excitation of their postsynaptic targets and drive the execution of motor commands. To evaluate the role of excitation-after-inhibition dynamics in the MLR, we employ short hairpin RNA technology to conduct gene knockdown investigations and concurrent locomotor assessments in mice. Our work contributes to a more complete understanding of the midbrain circuits that gait locomotion.NeuroscienceBachelors of Science (BS
Construction of a Mycobacterium smegmatis Promoter Library for Therapeutic and Environmental Applications
No full textCurrently, bioengineers and synthetic biologists focus their research on only a few well-understood bacterial species, namely, E. coli and B. subtilis, species that thrive only in a few, very specific environments. There is a huge need to develop additional model systems capable of operating beyond the standard laboratory conditions. Fast-growing and ubiquitous in soil, Mycobacterium smegmatis, a non-pathogenic species of the Mycobacterium genus, members include Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae, shows immense promise as a synthetic biology chassis with both clinical and environmental applications. However, more groundwork is needed. This project systematically identified and cloned 19 M. smegmatis promoters and characterized 10 of them. During our promoter selection process, in addition to the Mycobacterial promoters already published in the literature, we extracted 12 novel promoter sequences and its corresponding predicted strength from two transcriptome analyses. After we have obtained our promoter sequences, we constructed a dual-channel fluorescence reporter plasmid for each promoter. Every plasmid has the unique test promoter while having an identical control promoter that acts as an internal control. The control promoter acts as a concurrent reference of the effect of these extrinsic factors on the cells’ overall gene expression pattern. We also used fluorophores-calibrated units and relative strength to maximize reproducibility. We hope this collection of well-characterized promoters, spanning a wide range of strength from weak to strong, will increase the accessibility of more precise and tunable gene expression for constructing complex and reliable systems with M. smegmatis, as it has the potential to serve as a fieldable synbio chassis, providing novel solutions tackling these emergent global crises.BiologyBachelors of Science (BS
Racial Differences in Body Weight and Shape Perceptions: The Role of African American Acculturation among Black Women
No full textBody dissatisfaction can be a pervasive issue for women. Nevertheless, the limited research that exists with Black women shows they are less vulnerable to body dissatisfaction. The goal of this study was to assess weight and shape perceptions and concerns in Black and White women using figures that racially represent participants, while also investigating how acculturation influences Black women’s perceptions of their bodies. A sample of 198 cisgender, Black and White women completed an online survey asking them to identify figures that represented their actual and ideal bodies using figures representing their identified race, their level of African American acculturation, and their weight and shape concerns using standardized questionnaires. Actual body size perceptions did not differ between Black and White women; however, all women chose ideal figures that were smaller and curvier than the figures selected to represent their actual bodies. Ideal body size was smaller for White than for Black women, and actual and ideal body shape was curvier for Black women. White women displayed more concerns about their weight and shape compared to Black women, and these concerns correlated with ideal figure choices. Black women who were more acculturated to some aspects of African American culture perceived themselves as larger and chose ideal figures that were larger and curvier. This study adds to the understanding of the role that acculturation plays in Black women’s body image and highlights the need to avoid assuming that all Black women are protected from societal pressures regarding weight and shape. Keywords: body dissatisfaction, body weight, body shape, black women, acculturationPsychologyBachelors of Arts (BA
Regulation of Testis Stem Cell Behavior by the Novel Drosophila Gene Childless gambino
No full textStem cells are key players in development and maintenance in an array of tissues, including the reproductive system. Gonadal stem cells are necessary to ensure proper organogenesis, gamete production, and reproduction, bridging a network of pathways to execute complex differentiation and self-renewal processes. We have shown that the novel gene CG11180, also known as childless gambino (chigno), is involved in germline stem cell (GSC) maintenance and differentiation in Drosophila testes (Rinehart et al, 2021 BioRXiv). Chigno RNAi knockdown in somatic cyst stem cells (CySCs) leads to an overproliferation of undifferentiated germ cells. However, the exact role of chigno is unknown. To further elucidate its function, we examined chignoexpression in adult Drosophila reproductive tissues. Additionally, we investigated the impact of somatic chigno RNAi knockdown on testis morphology and assess the effects of chigno knockdown within the germline. We also developed a candidate-based RNAi screen to identify modulators of chigno function based on its connection to the Jak/STAT pathway. To further characterize chigno’s potential function, we used in silicogenomics analysis to analyze its homology with other genes and observe predicted modes of regulation. This data comprehensively establishes chigno’s role in Drosophila testis stem cell maintenance and fertility, providing intriguing new insights for future research directions. With the expression of chigno’s closest mammalian homology, PinX1, in human reproductive tissues, this work has important implications for human fertility and reproductive health beyond Drosophila.BiologyBachelors of Science (BS
Effects of Language and Imagined Contact on Bias Against Autistic Individuals
No full textIn the last decade, several studies have examined the effects of language and labeling on bias against autistic individuals. These studies have found that imagining an interaction with a person labeled as autistic improves participants’ implicit and explicit bias against autistic individuals. A dimension of labeling that has received only limited scrutiny is the effects of person-first and identity-first language on perceptions of autistic individuals. To both examine these effects and further explore the effects of labeling on bias, this study manipulated an imagined contact exercise using differing forms of language and labeling. Participants displayed more explicit bias against an imagined peer displaying stereotypical autistic traits if the individual was not labeled as autistic. Neither explicit nor implicit bias against autistic individuals were affected by the manipulation. This study also did not find any effect between person-first and identity-first language on any of the measures used. While these findings were unrelated to the hypotheses of this study, several correlations between gender, autistic traits, experience with autistic people, and explicit attitudes towards autistic individuals were explored. The practical and theoretical implications of the findings of this study regarding the mechanisms of stigma against autistic people are discussed.PsychologyBachelors of Science (BS
Mononuclear Cobalt (II) Schiff Base Antipyrine Complexes for Catalytic CO2 Reduction
No full textAbuse of fossil fuels has led to increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations which are responsible for global warming. In order to decrease our reliance on fossil fuels, clean alternative energy sources must be developed. Artificial photosynthesis is a promising remedy to this issue as it can be used to generate hydrogen, a clean burning, energy dense fuel through the reduction of protons. Similar strategies can be employed for the reduction of carbon dioxide, which can result in a multitude of value-added chemicals and carbon neutral fuels. The goal of this project is to develop an active and robust molecular catalyst for homogeneous CO2 reduction. A salen ligand has been developed and complexed with iron and cobalt. Both complexes were tested for catalytic activity in the hydrogen evolution and carbon dioxide reduction reactions.ChemistryBachelors of Science (BS
Investigating the potential role of Azabicyclene in the Rhl Quorum Sensing Pathway of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
No full textPseudomonas aeruginosa is a gram-negative bacterial pathogen responsible for many antibiotic-resistant infections. Through a process called quorum sensing, P. aeruginosa is able to communicate with other cells causing the infection to persist. The production of the molecule azabicyclene is regulated through one of the key quorum sensing pathways. However, the physiological role Azabicyclene plays in P. aeruginosa remains unknown. Here we report the effects of Azabicyclene on the Rhl quorum sensing pathway. By deleting key genes to both the Rhl quorum sensing pathway and the production of azabicyclene, a multiple strains were engineered to examine the potential effect of azabicyclene. We experienced difficulties attempting to delete key genes from both the aze operon and Rhl QS pathway. Despite the setbacks, four unique strains of P. aeruginosa were created. Supernatants from these engineered strains were applied to luciferase reporters to determine the differences in gene expression. Determining the role of azabicyclene in P. aeruginosa allows for continuation to develop targeted antibiotics and increases knowledge of quorum sensing.ChemistryBachelors of Science (BS
Developing New Fluorescent Sensors for the Detection of Harmful Heavy Metals in Water
No full textDrinking water is a very valuable resource, and the UN estimates that 3.5 million people die per year due to inadequate water supply and sanitation. Common sources of water pollutants are heavy metal ions, such as mercury and lead. Even in small concentrations, these heavy metal ions can be very harmful to human life, causing acute and chronic toxicities of the liver, kidneys, and intestines, and also certain cancers. The aim of this project is to develop organic molecules that are capable of binding to these heavy metals. Upon binding selectively to these heavy metals, changes in fluorescence or color of the molecule will indicate both what type of ion is in the water source, and how much of that ion is present. This would be a very quick and simple test for the quality of water and would be very useful in determining the safety and potability of many water sources, especially those without access to higher-tech treatments and testing.ChemistryBachelors of Science (BS
CPTH2-Driven Acetyltransferase Inhibition Impacts Thyroid Hormone Receptor Localization and Acetylation Levels
No full textThyroid hormone plays a critical role in regulating metabolism, growth, and development by binding to the thyroid hormone receptor (TR) and modulating gene expression. Evidence indicates an elaborate system of TR nuclear import and export that extends beyond its role as a transcription factor. TR contains nuclear localization signals (NLSs) and nuclear export signals (NESs) that promote interactions with nuclear transport proteins and subsequent import or export through nuclear pore complexes. The precise mechanisms and reasonings underlying TR nucleocytoplasmic shuttling remain elusive. A working model suggests the involvement of a series of acetylation events catalyzed by lysine acetyltransferases (KATs). However, it remains unclear which particular KATs are involved. Our previous work with C646, a specific inhibitor of the CBP/p300 KAT, points to this enzyme’s involvement in TR nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. To investigate the involvement of other KATs, I utilized CPTH2, a broad-spectrum inhibitor of KATs GCN5, CBP/p300 and, to a lesser degree, PCAF. After transfection with GFP-tagged TRα1, TRβ1, or TRβ2 expression plasmids, CPTH2-inhibited HeLa (human) cells were tested against dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) (vehicle)-control cells. Cells were visualized using fluorescence microscopy, and nuclear-to-cytoplasmic fluorescence ratios were calculated and averaged for each treatment group. Since TRα1 is already predominantly localized to the nucleus, the addition of CPTH2 did not detectably affect localization. However, the CPTH2-inhibited TRβ1 and TRβ2 groups showed significantly reduced cytoplasmic localization compared to the DMSO-controls, with p-values of 1.86 × 10-95 and 5.20 × 10-95, respectively. Phalloidin-TRITC staining of actin also revealed improper morphology and decreased cell-cell communication at higher concentrations of CPTH2. This change was not observed in cells treated with C646, implying GCN5 is involved in the maintenance of actin stress fibers. Changes in TR acetylation levels between CPTH2 and DMSO groups were determined by immunoprecipitation. Lysates from HeLa cells transfected with HA-tagged TRα1 were processed with acetyl-lysine affinity beads and analyzed by immunoblotting with anti-HA antibodies. While CPTH2-inhibited cells did show less acetylated TR compared to the DMSO-control on average, results were variable, and the p-value for this experimentation was not significant (0.191). Further localization experimentation compared treatment with CPTH2 versus C646 to specifically investigate whether GCN5 interacts with TR in addition to CBP/p300. HeLa cells transfected with GFP-tagged TRβ1 were treated with CPTH2, C646, or DMSO (vehicle)-control. Statistical analysis between the CPTH2 and C646 treatments yielded a p-value of 0.144, indicating CPTH2 inhibits proper TR localization comparably to C646. TRα1 immunoprecipitation and subsequent detection by α-GCN5 antibody did not reveal any interaction between the two proteins. It remains unclear whether GCN5 is directly implicated in the acetylation of TR and its nucleocytoplasmic shuttling mechanism. While CPTH2 global inhibition superficially points to involvement, C646 comparative analysis and TRα1 co-immunoprecipitation contradict this claim. Regardless, the results of our experimentation further advance our understanding of the acetylation-dependent model of TR shuttling and may highlight potential targets for therapeutic intervention in diseases linked to improper TR localization.BiologyBachelors of Science (BS