University at Albany, State University of New York
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Weaving a Tapestry of Community Based Child Trafficking Interventions in High-Trafficking Incidence Areas in Ghana
Get PDFBackground: This dissertation addresses the urgent issue of child trafficking in high-incidence areas of Ghana, where sociocultural, economic, and structural factors sustain and exacerbate this complex social challenge. The rationale for the study is grounded in the need for a holistic understanding of child trafficking beyond traditional justice-based approaches. The research emphasizes the necessity of community-led interventions informed by local cultural norms and protective values that have been largely unexplored in the Ghanaian context. Specifically, this dissertation applies an integrative approach, rooted in the Ubuntu philosophy, to explore community interdependence as a central component of sustainable anti-trafficking interventions.
Methods: Using a three-paper dissertation format, this dissertation employs a multi-method research design, combining a scoping review and interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to explore community-based interventions for child trafficking in Ghana. The data collection involved both individual interviews and Sharing Circles (SCs), a culturally resonant approach that fosters open, inclusive dialogue among participants. A total of 40 participants were recruited from five high-trafficking communities in Ghana, comprising village chiefs, parents, religious leaders, and child protection committee members. Data was collected through six individual interviews and five SCs, each with four to nine participants. This dual approach provided a comprehensive understanding of the lived experiences and cultural insights of stakeholders, essential for examining the normative and structural drivers of child trafficking. Data were analyzed through IPA, allowing for in-depth interpretation of participants\u27 perspectives and thematic insights into community-led anti-trafficking interventions.
Findings: The first paper, a scoping review, synthesizes existing literature on child trafficking interventions in West Africa, focusing on practice-based approaches. The scoping review analyzes intervention types and coverage across the region. Findings reveal that although community-based prevention efforts exist in the landscape, issues such as limited funding, local resistance, and inadequate outcome-based evaluations undermine their impact. This analysis emphasizes the urgent need for more comprehensive, regionally tailored studies to inform effective intervention strategies. The second paper investigates the impact of injunctive norms – social expectations about behaviors and roles—in high-trafficking Ghanaian communities. The findings reveal how normative pressures, such as the emphasis on early marriage and male child preference lead to having more children than can be cared for which drives families toward child exploitation practices masked as child apprenticeship. This paper highlights that community awareness and transformation of these social norms are critical to disrupting child trafficking cycles and recommends culturally aligned interventions to counter the implicit drivers of trafficking. Building on the previous findings, the third paper applies the Ubuntu model to explore community-led interventions that emphasize interconnectedness and mutual responsibility. This study examines how communities can leverage local support systems to dismantle trafficking vulnerabilities. The findings illustrate that empowering communities through locally resonant values not only increases engagement but also strengthens the resilience of community structures in protecting children. Ubuntu-based frameworks are presented as effective in aligning external interventions with internal community dynamics, promoting sustainable and culturally grounded anti-trafficking strategies.
Conclusions and Recommendations: This dissertation highlights the central role of community involvement in combating child trafficking. The findings call for a paradigm shift from purely legalistic approaches to culturally embedded, community-driven solutions. The study concludes that interventions must be multifaceted, integrating community insights with external resources to address underlying social and economic conditions that perpetuate trafficking. Key recommendations include expanding outcome-focused research on intervention effectiveness, fostering inclusive community dialogues to shift harmful norms, and supporting economic initiatives that reduce vulnerability. This work advocates for a holistic, community-centered framework that recognizes the significance of local cultural contexts and promotes sustainable, collaborative approaches to end child trafficking
Physiological Structure, Activity, and Interactions of the Formin, Human Diaphanous Homologue 1
No full textHuman Diaphanous Homologue 1 (DIAPH1) is a 143 kDa functional protein that plays a critical role in the regulation of actin dynamics within eukaryotic cells. As a formin, DIAPH1 facilitates the assembly of actin filaments from globular actin monomers, a process essential for cellular structure, motility, and other fundamental cellular processes. Beyond its structural role in actin polymerization, DIAPH1 is implicated in several diseases, including diabetes, cancer, and inflammation, as well as complications like hearing loss. Despite its significance in human health, the functional and structural properties of DIAPH1, particularly in human cells, remain less explored compared to related proteins, such as the murine homologue mDia1, which has been extensively studied in yeast and other systems.
This study aims to characterize the structure, activity, and ligand interactions of DIAPH1 in vitro using protein expressed from a human vector in human tissue cells. A key feature of DIAPH1 is its regulation by the Rho GTPase family, specifically RhoA, which binds to the G-domain located at the N-terminus. RhoA activation of DIAPH1 involves disrupting the protein\u27s auto-inhibitory mechanisms, which are maintained by the N-terminal diaphanous inhibitory domain (DID) and the C-terminal diaphanous auto-inhibitory domain (DAD). This disruption frees the formin homology 2 (FH2) domain, enabling DIAPH1 to promote the rapid polymerization of actin monomers into filaments. The functional activity of DIAPH1, particularly its ability to assemble actin, can be quantitatively assessed using an actin polymerization assay, where actin monomers are tagged with the fluorophore pyrene to monitor filament formation.
The structural characterization of DIAPH1 presents unique challenges due to its large size and the presence of unstructured regions. Early attempts to capture the structure of full-length DIAPH1 using Cryo-Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM) have yielded poor resolution, likely due to the flexibility of unstructured domains such as the formin homology 1 (FH1) domain. These unstructured regions, which constitute about 30% of DIAPH1’s structure, obscure particle edges and hinder the resolution of Cryo-EM maps. To overcome this, a recombinant form of DIAPH1, termed DIAPH1/2, has been developed. This variant retains the most important structured domains, such as DID, DAD, G-domain, and FH2, while trimming down the unstructured regions. Preliminary results using negative stain transmission electron microscopy (NSTEM) indicate that DIAPH1/2 provides a significant improvement in particle count and sample clarity, making it more suitable for high-resolution structural studies.
Additionally, the actin polymerization assays performed on DIAPH1/2 have confirmed that this recombinant protein not only exhibits inherent actin polymerization activity but can also be activated by RhoA, mirroring the functionality of the full-length protein. This provides confidence that DIAPH1/2 maintains the critical properties of DIAPH1 while facilitating structural studies.
Beyond its structural characterization, the study also explores the interactions of DIAPH1 with other cellular ligands. An important interaction of DIAPH1 involves the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE), specifically its C-terminal domain (ctRAGE). Through binding to ctRAGE, DIAPH1 undergoes activation, resulting in enhanced actin polymerization. This interaction has significant implications in inflammation and diseases such as diabetes. In collaboration with researchers at New York University (NYU), two small molecule inhibitors, RAGE 229 and 406R, has been developed to block the ctRAGE/DIAPH1 complex. Preliminary assays show that RAGE 229 successfully inhibits actin polymerization in this system, indicating its potential as a therapeutic agent in regulating DIAPH1 activity.
Another novel binding partner of DIAPH1, the actin-depolymerizing protein Cofilin 1 (CFL1), has been identified through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and actin polymerization assays. CFL1, known for its role in actin filament disassembly, may function as an activator of DIAPH1, further influencing the dynamics of actin polymerization and depolymerization within the cell.
MFN2, a mitochondrial GTPase, a protein crucial for mitochondrial fusion and communication with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Structurally, DIAPH1 contains domains like the diaphanous inhibitory domain (DID) and formin homology domains (FH1 and FH2), which facilitate actin dynamics, whereas MFN2 features a GTPase domain and heptad-repeat domains that support mitochondrial fusion through GTP hydrolysis. Recent studies have revealed a direct interaction between DIAPH1 and MFN2, suggesting they work together to regulate cellular processes requiring both mitochondrial dynamics and cytoskeletal organization.
This study provides significant advancements in understanding the structure and function of DIAPH1, particularly in its human-relevant form. The development of DIAPH1/2 as a recombinant protein offers a clearer path forward for high-resolution structural analysis. . Identification of key ligand interactions, such as with ctRAGE, MFN2, and RhoA and CFL1, offers new insights into the regulatory mechanisms controlling DIAPH1 activity. Future experiments, including targeted mutagenesis and more refined Cryo-EM studies, will provide further clarity on DIAPH1\u27s structure and its potential as a therapeutic target in diseases associated with actin dysregulation
Raw Data for Violations of Coordination: Exploring Metastable Diborides for Energy Storage
Get PDFThe ideal aeronautical solid-state fuel should possess a high density (more thrust per Newton’s Third Law), high gravimetric heat of combustion (more energy for less weight), and a high volumetric heat of combustion (more room for mission-critical items). In this work, manganese diboride (MnB2) demonstrates a high density of 5.3 g/cm3, a high gravimetric heat of combustion of 38.30 kJ/g, and the highest volumetric heat of combustion of any known fuel of 202.99 kJ /cm3. When compared to the currently used fuel in Space Shuttle rocket boosters and the Space Launch System, aluminum metal, MnB2 represents a 100% increase in density, 23% increase in gravimetric heat of combustion, and 141% increase in volumetric heat of combustion. Calorimetry results were obtained by developing a dispersed burning aid that enables combustion to ignite refractory fuels typically considered troublesome. A model cluster system analyzed by density functional theory shows that the local environment can contribute to the bulk properties even without physical manifestations in the periodic structure. This high enthalpic performance comes from the metastability of MnB2 and demonstrates that transition metals, typically shunned as solid-state fuels, can store potential energy from their high temperature synthesis through ‘over coordination’ and violation of their valence shell
Families’ Experiences Participating in a Collaborative, Multimodal Writing Workshop: Agency, Home Literacies, and Home/School Connections
Get PDFStudents benefit academically and socially from strong home and school partnerships (Padak & Rasinski, 2010; Patrikakou et al., 2003; Risko & Walker-Dalhouse, 2009), yet there is often a gap between these contexts (Nelson, 2019; Padak & Rasinski, 2010; Risko & Walker-Dalhouse, 2009). To bridge the divide between these spaces, I drew on a sociocultural view of writing, the paradigm of family literacy, and third spaces of literacy to investigate four families’ experiences participating in a collaborative, multimodal writing workshop. Through practitioner research and case study methods, I explored the following research questions: (1) How do families talk about writing while participating in a collaborative, multimodal family writing workshop? (2) How do families participate in a collaborative, multimodal family writing workshop?, and (3) How do families describe and reflect on their experiences participating in a collaborative, multimodal family writing workshop? I utilized Thematic Analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) to examine artifacts from the workshop and semi-structured interviews to learn about the families’ distinct and common ways of participating in the writing experiences. I found that while the families talked about, participated in, and reflected on the workshop in different ways, they showed agency through their collaborative writing processes, leaned into their home literacies to support them in writing flexibly and adaptively, and wrote in ways that supported parents’ understandings of their children as writers. These findings advance the field’s collective understanding of how to create bridges and partnerships across contexts
Phantasma
Get PDFEver since the infamous Ides of March, scholars have been debating the true psychology behind Brutus’s betrayal. The purpose of this project is to take a step back from the politicized motivations and explore the emotional, strenuous conditions of Julius Caesar’s assassination. This project will transform William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar into a novella with its central focus on the relationship dynamics between the key figures of Caesar, Brutus, and Cassius. The intention of the novella is to not only analyze the play through a critical queer lens, but to interrogate the themes of violence and desire that surround male relationships throughout history and mythology. Shakespeare’s play will be the primary source for the novella, and other secondary texts such as the work of queer theorist Eve Sedgwick will inform the creative decisions done with the main cast. The transformative aspect factors into the form the project takes: a first-person close narration from the perspective of Brutus. This will allow readers to become aware of internal dialogue and turmoil that was not directly supplied in Shakespeare’s version, opening the characters up to a broader scope of emotional conflict
Exploring RNA Dynamics: Insights into Structural Modifications, Splicing Regulation, and Biological Function
Get PDFThe post-transcriptional regulation of RNA, particularly through alternative splicing (AS) and chemical modifications, plays a critical role in gene expression and is linked to many human diseases. This thesis investigates three interconnected aspects of RNA and DNA dynamics and their regulation, providing new insights into cellular function.
First, we examine how RNA modifications influence the structural stability of transfer RNA Phenylalanine (tRNAPhe) in S. cerevisiae. Using temperature replica exchange molecular dynamics (T-REMD) simulations, we show that specific modifications create a network of interactions essential for maintaining tRNA’s tertiary structure. Interestingly, magnesium ions (Mg2+) can compensate for the lack of these modifications, highlighting the interplay between RNA modifications, metal ions, and structural stability.
Second, we explore the regulation of insulin receptor (INSR) exon 11 alternative splicing, which is controlled by the proteins MBNL1 and RBFOX1. By using an INSR exon 11 minigene reporter system, we demonstrate that mutations in the RBFOX1 binding site not only disrupt RBFOX1’s function but also affect MBNL1’s ability to regulate splicing. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal how these mutations alter RNA structure, providing a deeper understanding of how splicing factors interact to control gene expression.
Finally, we study the stability of double crossover DNA (DAO) nanostructures in the presence of different ions, including monovalent (Na+, K+) and divalent (Mg2+, Ca2+) ions. Our simulations show that the DAO DNA motif remains stable under various ionic conditions, with divalent ions playing a key role in compacting the structure and bridging DNA helices. These findings highlight the importance of ion type and concentration in DNA nanostructure stability, offering valuable insights for DNA-based nanotechnology applications.
Together, this work bridges the gap between RNA and DNA dynamics, uncovering the complex mechanisms behind alternative splicing, tRNA stability, and DNA nanostructure interactions. The results advance our understanding of nucleic acid biology and open new possibilities for therapeutic strategies and nanotechnology innovations targeting RNA and DNA systems
Using the High Resolution Rapid Refresh to Validate a Novel Forecast Methodology
Get PDFNOAA’s High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) is frequently used by forecasters for short term predictions and although the model performs well in many metrics, previous study (Fovell and Gallagher 2020) identified temperature and windspeed biases within the boundary layer using radiosonde and surface observations. The current work uses a forecast drift metric to study how model forecasts evolve with time and distance to radiosonde sites. The metric is calculated by subtracting model analysis from forecasts at the same valid time, creating a proxy for bias. HRRR data on native model levels are obtained from the Google Cloud and Amazon Web Services archives and used to create a multiple month dataset of HRRR drift files for the 00 , 06, 12, and 18 UTC cycles for forecasts with leads out to f24 and initialization at 00 to 23 UTC for analysis. These are analyzed to determine how forecast fields drift with increasing forecast time, identifying opportunities for further model improvements
Two Computational Problems on String Rewriting Systems
Get PDFString rewriting systems are widely used computational models in theoretical computer science research such as artificial intelligence, software and hardware verification, and symbolic cryptographic protocol analysis. In this dissertation, we investigate two interesting problems concerning these systems, namely the common left multiplier problem and the SYMBOL-ORDER problem.
First, we consider the common left multiplier problem for forward-closed convergent string rewriting systems. The task is to discover, given two distinct strings α and β, a target string W such that W α and W β will be equivalent with respect to the provided forward-closed convergent string rewriting system. We describe an algorithm for this problem and prove that it runs in polynomial time.
Next, we present the SYMBOL-ORDER problem, which is to orient an input string rewriting system using recursive path ordering (RPO) such that every left hand side is higher than the right hand side for each rule. We prove this problem is NP-complete and derived some consequences for single ground rule term rewriting systems. In addition, we show a symbol ordering can be found in polynomial time when the number of rules in the string rewriting system is fixed
Embracing the Unmanageable: The Critique of the Everyday and the Postwar Condition in Wallace Stevens’ and Robert Duncan’s Works circa 1950
Get PDFMy thesis is designed as an investigation of the ethical and political implications of the everyday in postwar American poetry. While recent scholarship of everyday life studies has clarified the centrality of the everyday or the ordinary to modernism and postwar literature, it does not elaborate enough on the impact of the political condition on literary expressions of everyday life in post-1945 period. Given U.S. military’s infiltration into everyday life of people living inside and outside the country after World War II, it is an important task to spotlight the way American postwar poets tackled U.S. war culture through their expressions of everyday life. Therefore, building on everyday life studies, Cold War studies, and studies of pragmatism, my thesis focuses on the works of two white American male poets—Wallace Stevens and Robert Duncan—circa 1950, when the United States was escalating its military commitments on a global scale. I demonstrate how Stevens’ concept of “the ordinary” and Duncan’s concept of “life” provide a key to understanding their efforts to examine the postwar condition through their meditations on the connection between everyday life at home and war abroad. With their respective projects’ strengths and limitations in mind, I argue that their expressions of the everyday give rise to a new idea of community and public space. My analysis will ultimately bring to the fore the significance of everyday life in postwar poetry as a topos by which one can reflect on war culture from one’s own personal perspective
Regulation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Through Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Receptor 2 Activation and Androgens Acting on Androgen Receptors in Mice Exposed to Repeat Stress Conditions
Get PDFThe hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA)-axis is the body’s main neuroendocrine mechanism for regulating stress. It has been shown in both animal and human models that anxiety and depression like behavior is more prevalent in females compared to males. Studies have shown evidence that suggests there are sex differences in the HPA-axis that likely contribute to the observed sex difference. It has been shown that anxiety related behavior and HPA-axis responsiveness is correlated with androgens acting on androgen receptors (AR). The role of androgens acting on AR has a more unclear role in stress behavior and HPA-axis regulation when subjected to chronic stress conditions. In the first experiment presented, we attempted to probe the role androgens acting on androgen receptors have in affecting stress behavior and HPA-axis regulation. To achieve this, we induced chronic stress by utilizing a sub chronic variable stress (SCVS) paradigm in an experimental group of gonadectomized (GDX) mice with a dihydrotestosterone (DHT) pellet as well as a control group of GDX mice with a blank pellet. DHT is an androgen that preferentially binds AR and cannot be aromatized into an estrogen. We analyzed the results of this experiment based on comparison of behavioral analysis, measures of blood corticosterone (cort) levels, and brain cell quantification of regions of the brain associated with the stress response. The neural marker c-Fos was utilized for brain cell quantification, higher levels of c-Fos activation would be indicative of a higher level of stress in the associated brain regions. The findings of our experiment show that repeated stress did have an effect on behavior and did increase c-Fos activation in certain regions of the brain such as the CA1 region of the hippocampus. This suggests that androgens binding to androgen receptors can decrease the stress response when subjected to repeated stressors and may be responsible for the observed sex difference. HPA-axis activity has also been shown to be regulated by corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) binding to distinct receptors CRF receptor 1 (CRFR1) and CRF receptor 2 (CRFR2). CRFR1 jump starts the HPA axis response to stress, while CRFR2 plays an opposing role by lessening the stress response. Previous studies utilizing chronic variable stress (CVS) paradigms found CRFR1 to play a role in the etiology of these disorders and the observed sex difference. The aim of the second study in this paper was to induce CVS and look more closely at the involvement of CRFR2. For this, both male and female mice were split into an experimental CVS group and a control nonstress group and compared following their respective paradigm based on behavioral analysis, cort level, and brain cell quantification across regions of the brain associated with the stress response by looking at c-Fos and CRFR2 activation. Having more stress-activated CRFR2 is indicative of being better adapted for responding to stressors. Overall, we found a sex difference observed in the number of CRFR2 cells and the stress-activation of c-Fos cells in the brain associated with the stress response that suggests evidence for CRFR2 playing a role in the observed sex difference of males having lower rates of anxiety and depression than females