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Activity-Based Protein Profiling on Nucleophilic Amino Acid Residues with Pyrocarbonates
Get PDFThe complexity of the proteome requires strategies that efficiently characterize protein functions. Activity-Based Protein Profiling (ABPP) is a method that identifies enzyme activity by targeting key catalytic residues. This study focused on histidine, a residue involved in enzymatic catalysis, metal coordination, and protein-protein interactions. Despite its importance, histidine-specific chemical probes are limited due to its variable reactivity. This work developed and characterized a histidine-specific probe using a pyrocarbonate-based mechanism. Singleresidue assays confirmed selective reactivity of the probe with histidine over other nucleophilic amino acids. Further testing on enzymatic proteins and lysed cell proteomes showed that the probe modified histidine residues with minimal off-target effects. Liquid chromatography confirmed selective labeling of histidine on the small-molecule scale. These results demonstrate the utility of pyrocarbonate probes for characterization by ABPP. These probes provide a method for studying enzyme activity and protein function, with applications in enzymology, drug discovery, and biomarker identification
Razorback Analytics and Consulting: Driving Innovation
Get PDFUnder the identity of Razorbacks Analytics and Consulting, a consultation company, recommendations are made into the future of the vehicle manufacturing industry. Based on financial statement and industry data, Razorbacks Analytics and Consulting advises manufacturers about the uncertainty and high cost of transitioning vehicle lineups to electric powertrains. Recommendations are made based upon the observed data. Topics include: basic ratios, industry timing, supply chain issues, profitability, risk, and consumer issues
Identifying Microbial Complexities and Control Strategies at Pre-Harvest Poultry Production
Get PDFWhile significant progress has been made in post-harvest control of Salmonella in the poultry industry, the development of effective pre-harvest intervention strategies remains critical for reducing foodborne pathogens. Environmental reservoirs such as poultry litter and drinking water systems (DWS) are potential harborage sites for Salmonella and other microbial communities. Understanding the microbiota of these environments, including biofilms within water lines, is essential to identifying factors contributing to Salmonella colonization and improving pre-harvest control approaches. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and quantity of Salmonella in poultry litter and water lines, characterize the microbial populations in these environments, and assess the efficacy of various sanitizers against biofilm-forming pathogens in DWS. Samples were collected from 15 commercial conventional broiler farms, yielding 45 boot swabs from litter and 180 biofilm swabs from DWS. Microbial analyses included quantification of Salmonella, total aerobic bacterial count (APC), Enterobacteriaceae (EB), and yeast and molds (YM). The full-length 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced to determine the microbial community composition. Results revealed a high Salmonella incidence of 95.6% (43 out of 45 houses) in litter samples, with an average load of 4.16 Log10 CFU/sample, compared to a lower incidence of 0.04% (8 out of 180 water lines) in biofilm samples, with an average load of 0.13 Log10 CFU/sample. Salmonella serogroups O7 (Salmonella Infantis) and O9 (Salmonella Enteritidis) were the most prevalent. Water quality significantly influenced microbial community composition, and distinct microbial profiles were observed between litter and biofilm samples, with only a few species in common. Furthermore, the antimicrobial efficacy of three sanitizers: peracid-based (PAB), peroxide-based (PB), and hypochlorite-based (HB) was evaluated against planktonic and biofilm cells of field-isolated Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus species on polyvinylchloride (PVC), a common DWS pipe material. While all sanitizers were effective at reducing overall CFUs to varying extents, PAB demonstrated the greatest potential as a DWS sanitizer, showing superior efficacy against both planktonic and biofilm cells compared to PB and HB. This research highlights the importance of targeted microbial profiling and sanitizer efficacy testing for pre-harvest pathogen control, providing valuable insights for improving food safety in poultry production systems
Administering Grant-Subsidized Workforce Training: A Critical Case Study
Get PDFGrant monies are distributed for the purpose of funding workforce training programs aimed at affecting the skills gap in the United States. While research has shown that these grants are being awarded, there is not a well-established standard for designing and implementing the programs they fund. This study focuses on recording and classifying the lived experiences of grant staff working on a state funded workforce training program in the United States. This study will employ a qualitative case study approach designed to capture and codify, in the words of those most familiar with it, the aspects of the grant program that worked well and those that did not. The primary objective of this research is to provide an account of the experiences of grant staff working on the front lines of a bureaucratic organization over which they have little or no control. The findings of this research will add a unique and valuable perspective to the body of literature surrounding not-for-credit post-secondary education, specifically that which is designed to affect the workforce. In doing so, this research will inform stakeholders at every level in a manner that empowers them to make administrative decisions that will improve the experience of staff and students alike
Investigating the Impact of GEAR UP Arkansas on College Readiness and Post-Secondary Enrollment in the Delta
Get PDFThis study evaluates the impact of the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Arkansas initiative on improving college readiness and postsecondary enrollment among low-socioeconomic status (SES) students in the Arkansas Delta, a region marked by systemic educational inequities and persistent poverty. Framed by Opportunity Gap Theory, this quantitative, quasi-experimental research addresses two questions: (1) How does GEAR UP participation influence postsecondary enrollment compared to nonparticipants? (2) Do participants achieve higher ACT scores than nonparticipants? Using data from 491 students across high-poverty schools, the study employs logistic regression to assess enrollment rates and multiple regression to analyze ACT performance, accounting for demographic and contextual factors. Key program elements, including tutoring, ACT preparation, and financial aid counseling, are hypothesized to drive improvements. Findings are expected to show positive effects on enrollment and ACT scores, demonstrating GEAR UP’s role in reducing structural barriers to higher education. The research provides actionable insights for policymakers and educators, advocating for sustained investment in equity-driven programs like GEAR UP to close opportunity gaps. By highlighting the program’s effectiveness, the study informs strategies for scaling similar initiatives in underserved, high-poverty regions to promote educational equity and access
Susceptibility Analysis of Flash Flood in Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia, Using a GIS-Based Analytical Hierarchy Process
No full textFloods rank among the most devastating natural hazards on Earth, posing significant threats to human society across various geographies, including arid regions such as Saudi Arabia. In Saudi Arabia, Jeddah is the second largest city in terms of population with more than 4.5 million residents. The city experiences long and arid summers and short, dry, and windy winters. As the severity and frequency of floods continue to increase, there is a growing demand for improved flood risk assessment to mitigate damage to lives and properties. Given the complex nature of flood evaluation and prediction, a systematic criteria-based methodology, such as the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), offers a robust solution. This study integrates the AHP with a Geographic Information System (GIS) to model flash flood risk hazards in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Key parameters for this evaluation included precipitation, elevation, slope, proximity to drainage networks, land cover, and lithology. A pairwise comparison was conducted to rank these criteria by order of magnitude in flood contribution. Four susceptibility grades – ranging from Low to Very High – were identified to represent flood hazard likelihood. The findings show that the eastern and central parts of Jeddah, particularly areas leading to the coast, are identified as the most vulnerable areas to flash flooding due to their proximity to natural water channels and their low-lying, intermittent topography, which creates valleys. Obviously, the rapid urbanization of Jeddah contributes also to flash flooding caused by seasonal downpours. Local authority should develop coping strategies, such as widening drainage systems and reducing paved surface areas in highly susceptible zones, to mitigate future flood risks effectively
Flexible Microelectrode-Based Impedance Immunosensor for Rapid Detection of \u3ci\u3eE. coli\u3c/i\u3e O157:H7
No full textAbstract Food contamination poses a significant threat to public health, the economy, and human health worldwide, occurring at any stage of the food supply chain, from farm to fork. Escherichia coli 0157:H7, recognized as one of the principal causes of foodborne illness, poses a considerable risk to food safety. The primary objective of this investigation is to devise a flexible microelectrode-based immunosensor capable of swiftly identifying E. coli O157:H7 cells without the need for incubation in a pure culture environment. In the development of the biosensor, the gold electrode (composed of 50% Au) underwent an initial coating process involving 2-aminoethanethiol/cysteamine, followed by functionalization with glutaraldehyde to serve as a linker, and subsequent immobilization with anti-E. coli polyclonal antibodies (pAbs). The determination of the optimal concentration of cysteamine and glutaraldehyde for sensor development revealed an optimal concentration of 20 mg/mL. Upon interaction between anti-E. coli pAbs and E. coli O157:H7, a substantial increase in impedance amplitude from 2.7 to 6.93 kΩ was observed, highlighting the efficacy of the immunosensor in detecting the target pathogen when compared to a bare electrode. Furthermore, the developed immunosensor exhibited the capability to detect E. coli O157:H7 cells with a detection limit ranging from 101 to 103 CFU/mL without the requirement of an incubation period. Visual confirmation of successful binding of E. coli O157:H7 onto the flexible microelectrode-based immunosensor was achieved through scanning electron microscopy imaging, providing insights into the adherence of bacterial cells to the microelectrode surface. Keywords: Foodborne pathogens, flexible biosensors, electrochemical immunosensor; rapid detection; Escherichia coli O157:H
Sample Archival System for Quantum Device Manufacturing: Design, Construction, and Integration
Get PDFIn the manufacturing of quantum devices using 2-dimentional (2D) materials, current processes rely on manual operations of production. MonArk Quantum Foundry is developing a facility to semi-automatically, and ultimately automatically, produce 2D materials. One crucial step in the experimentation process is archiving these materials and completed chips for future access. The sample archival system robot was produced to fulfill this need. The system is a 4 Degree-of-freedom (DOF) cartesian storage system that stores custom aluminum chip trays of sixty samples, having a total storage capacity of 14,400 samples. The sample archive system meets key goals from: it integrates with the assembly line, maintains decent accuracy, and within space limits. However, finding reliable replacements for high-wear ABS parts and testing reliability is ongoing. This thesis outlines the design, construction, and integration of this robot into the 2D material manufacturing chain
Gender, Politics, and Power: How Women Presidential Candidates are Framed by News Narratives
Get PDFThe aim of this study was to look at the coverage of the presidential campaigns of Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Kamala Harris in 2024 during the Democratic National Convention, and analyze the differences in regard to gender, race, and political bias. The examination of these news narratives helps explore a question of whether journalists report with bias when covering politics. The researcher analyzed 11 published pieces from five mainstream media outlets. Findings of the study show that bias is unavoidable even when a journalist strives for objectivity which does not exist in newsrooms across the political spectrum. The findings are expected to support the narrative that journalism is continuously evolving, but cannot escape the systematic biases of gender and race when it comes to reporting on politics
Designing for Autonomy: Enhancing the Autonomy of Young Women with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) through Interactive Narrative
Get PDFPostural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is an autonomic nervous system disorder with multisystem impacts. Classified as a chronic illness and oftentimes triggered by viral infections, incidents of POTS have become increasingly common following the outbreak of COVID-19. Primarily affecting young women ages 18 to 30, POTS disrupts an individual\u27s health during their transition to adulthood. This issue is further complicated by medical gender bias, latent care, and misdiagnosis, which leave this demographic vulnerable within traditional healthcare systems (Shaw et al., 2019). As traditional healthcare systems primarily address acute rather than chronic conditions, interactions with these systems are intermittent. Consequently, individuals with POTS self-manage their condition to achieve or maintain a stable health status (Dubberly et al., 2010). Constant engagement with and movement through the Continuous Cycle of Health Self-Management requires self-determination and, more specifically, autonomy (Ryan et al., 2000). In the context of chronic illness, autonomy refers to the capacity to make choices and retain control over one\u27s daily life despite physical limitations or increased dependence on others (Koester, 2020; Ringstad, 2016). To support young women navigating the constraints imposed by chronic illness and to create opportunities for stable health outcomes, this thesis explores how the design of interactive narratives can foster autonomy for young women with POTS. This research employs a mixed-methods approach that examines autonomy through a Disability Justice lens. Disability Justice is a framework that goes beyond Disability Rights and inclusion, acknowledging the intersectional experiences of individuals with disabilities while striving for collective liberation. This focus shapes the research conducted and the interventions developed, creating a space for collective knowledge and liberation through interactive narratives.
Interactive narrative, as a tool for intervening in the problem space, is derived from Todorov\u27s Theory of Narrative Equilibrium and the dimensions of Interaction Design. Narrative equilibrium functions similarly to the Continuous Cycle of Health Self-Management in that a user starts at one equilibrium (stable health), experiences a disruption (context change, condition change, or regimen change) that leads them to disequilibrium (unstable health). From here, users move through the process of realizing (reconciling), repairing (habituating), and restoring (understanding) to reach a new equilibrium (stable health) (Todorov et al., 1969). In addition to the parallels between narrative and self-management, narrative creates opportunities for autonomy through what author H. Porter Abbot refers to as narrative gaps (Abbot, 2009). Combining narrative gaps with interaction design, this thesis proposes a projection-mapped experience that immerses participants in the cycle of gaining and losing autonomy over their personal narratives. This intervention is complemented by a speculative exhibition that incorporates three additional narratives to restore participants\u27 autonomy. Ultimately, this thesis seeks to contribute to the fields of disability studies, healthcare design, and interaction design scholarship, creating new possibilities for stable health