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a translation of the unspeakable
No full texthttps://rdc.reed.edu/v1/resources/71e546ba-930d-4b3c-a6d0-e375e82b711c/thumb/128.jp
Breaking the Ice on MneP: Toward the Structural and Functional Characterization of a Bacterial Manganese Transporter
No full texthttps://rdc.reed.edu/v1/resources/ca9ab60d-e954-4756-9bdb-c9eb5e461a83/thumb/128.jpgThe rapid evolution of antibiotic resistance poses one of the most significant threats to global human health in modern times. Transition metals play essential biological roles in bacteria, and nutritional immunity, the sequestering of these resources from invading pathogens, is a key mammalian immune response to infection. Thus, an understanding of the regulation and mechanisms behind bacterial homeostasis is crucial to fighting this rapidly evolving threat. In Bacillus subtilis, MneP, a member of the cation diffusion facilitator (CDF) family, is the primary manganese exporter, though little is known about this transporter despite its key role in manganese homeostasis. This thesis aims to build on prior work in the Ahuja lab to structurally and functionally characterize MneP using cryogenic electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) and a proteoliposome-based transport assay. A chimeric MneP was prepared by fusing rigid protein BRIL and complexed with antigen-binding fragment BAG2 to serve as a fiducial marker in Cryo-EM particle picking and alignment. 2D class averages obtained of this complex revealed potential oligomeric heterogeneity, a finding that, if validated, could fundamentally alter the scientific community’s understanding of CDFs. Meanwhile, wild-type MneP was reconstituted into liposomes containing a metal-chelating fluorescent dye, and compelling evidence of transport was observed, though much work is needed to further optimize this assay and to determine kinetic parameters like KM and Vmax. Still, this thesis represents significant progress towards understanding MneP’s structure and function and lays a foundation for future optimization and refinement
Greater Idaho and the Foundations of Federalism
No full texthttps://rdc.reed.edu/v1/resources/f56e18ae-bb07-4823-b79d-cb6d2c2bd690/thumb/128.jpgThis is a study of the Greater Idaho movement and its role within federalism. The Greater Idaho movement seeks to annex the Eastern half of the state of Oregon—rural, conservative, and with a population dwarfed by the Willamette Valley—into the State of Idaho. This paper looks at how five paradigms of state attachment identified within federalist literature might help us better understand what’s motivating the movement. A content analysis is conducted using markers derived from these paradigms and support or opposition for the Greater Idaho movement, using a data set of 62 county commission meetings
”…So where can I go?”: Koryo-saram Literature and Questions of Identity
No full texthttps://rdc.reed.edu/v1/resources/3d777069-109e-4423-8105-46044f36cf0c/thumb/128.jpgIn this thesis I analyze four works by Koryo-saram writers Anatoli Kim and Diana Kan through frameworks set up by Alexander Kan. The first chapter provides context of Korean immigration to the Russian Empire and what led to the forced deportation of Soviet Koreans to Central Asia in 1937, as well as the history of Koryo-saram literature from Korean Proletarian Literature to the present. I look at the novella My Past by Anatoli Kim, and poems “I am a subject of Russian backwaters,” “Chinese Wall,” and “When they buried my Russia” by Diana Kan, and I investigate reoccurring themes that indicate the existence of a literary canon like assimilation and identity. The second chapter focuses on Anatoli Kim and the way that he defines the past, destiny, and identity to be more inclusive of his experiences. The third chapter looks at Diana Kan’s poetry to see how she depicts Russian and Korean identity to reframe and redefine who can be included in Russianness. My analysis highlights how Koryo-saram literature has crucial themes that contribute to a specific Koryo-saram literary canon that is influenced by and exists beyond Russophone and Korean literary canons and helps to rethink the idea of a typical or unified literary canon
Where the Wind Blows Through Her
No full texthttps://rdc.reed.edu/v1/resources/2dc5ac0d-e1e9-49c3-9ad0-5abf1d62d186/thumb/128.jpgCHURCH-PRIMARY-2025.pd
Tiling Space by Translation
No full texthttps://rdc.reed.edu/v1/resources/feb5ff14-3252-4e4c-b865-cff157caa6ff/thumb/128.jpgThis thesis explores the mathematical theory of tiling by translation, with an emphasis on convex polytopes and the conditions under which they can cover space without overlaps or gaps. Beginning with foundational definitions in tiling and polyhedral geometry, with a focus on monohedral tilings, I highlight some recent results in the field, and use linear algebra to structure the definition of convex bodies. The central result of this thesis is a detailed exposition and proof of the Minkowski-Venkov-McMullen Theorem, which characterizes the convex polytopes that tile \RR^d by translation in terms of central symmetry, centrally symmetric facets, and constraints on the belts of the polytopes. I present both the necessity and sufficiency of these conditions with attention to the historical context of these foundational results. In later chapters, the theory of tiling is extended to the classification of planar patterns via isometries, culminating in the study of random tilings inspired by \textit{azulejos}—decorative Portuguese tiles. Through the interplay of geometry, symmetry, and pattern, this thesis offers a comprehensive look at tiling behavior
Producing Silence: Producing Silence: An Exploration of Silence Through Sound
No full texthttps://rdc.reed.edu/v1/resources/57f29240-6d26-4729-9ce5-0ee536b97ef9/thumb/128.jpgThis thesis explores what silence is in the context of sound design. The resulting research and experimentation from this exploration expands on how silence can be used as a tool for sound designers. Silence is not the absence of noise, and knowing how to produce different types of silences for different contexts pushes forward the art of sound design
Utilizing Environmental DNA to Investigate the Effects of Hypoxia on Copepod Abundance
No full texthttps://rdc.reed.edu/v1/resources/a7dfb4b4-d894-47b6-9a3d-197db21589e9/thumb/128.jpgHypoxic events are increasing in severity and duration in Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (OCNMS) off the coast of Washington State. Hypoxia, generally defined as a dissolved oxygen concentration below 2 mg/L, can have lethal and sublethal effects on marine life with potentially severe consequences for marine ecosystems. Understanding the effects of hypoxic events is critical as OCNMS habitats support vital recreation, fisheries, and four sovereign tribal communities: the Hoh Tribe, Makah Tribe, Quileute Tribe, and Quinault Indian Nation. I focus on understanding the impacts of hypoxia on copepods, small crustacean zooplankton, that are both an important foundational food source for fish such as juvenile salmon and sentinels for changing ocean conditions. Here, I pair mooring-based autonomous environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements in OCNMS to track changes in copepod prevalence and relative abundance across DO levels. Copepods were classified as northern (cold-water) and southern (warm-water) species following the established NOAA NWFSC local juvenile salmon biological indicators analysis as well as classified by size (NOAA Fisheries 2024). Northern copepods are generally more lipid-rich, and represent an important food source for juvenile salmon and other fish. I found that most copepod species, regardless of group, were more abundant at higher dissolved oxygen levels, but southern copepods were detected proportionally more in hypoxic conditions than northern copepods. Smaller copepods were detected proportionally more at lower dissolved oxygen levels, indicating a higher hypoxia tolerance that is supported by metabolic theory and previous studies. Additionally, northern copepods were generally found in colder conditions than southern copepods, which is consistent with the premise of the grouping scheme. These results suggest northern copepods may be more sensitive to hypoxia than southern copepods, and that larger copepods may be more sensitive to hypoxia than smaller copepods. As hypoxia continues to increase, these results predict that the copepod community in OCNMS will become dominated by smaller copepods and Southern copepods, both of which are less optimal food sources for fish that consume zooplankton. Therefore, the increasing frequency of hypoxic events may result in a decline in essential food resources that support the growth and survival of many key pelagic fishes
Boundaries of Belonging to DIY Music Scenes: Independant Local Music Communities in Portland and Chicago
No full texthttps://rdc.reed.edu/v1/resources/037e6252-aede-47a6-b285-92c3383a0273/thumb/128.jpgWhat does DIY music do for community? The following thesis adds to research on musical and social connection, and how groups based in independent organizing are upheld, considering two examples of local music scenes that exist all around the world. Through ethnographic and interviewbased methodology on local live music and its community members in Portland OR and Chicago IL, I seek to answer: How do participants feel connection and meaning in these scenes and what defines define “DIY” in this case, as well as asking: what agreed upon and contested ideals are developed by the collective communities within DIY music. This thesis touches on themes of musical connection, anti-capitalism, collaboration, accessibility and inclusion, genre, countercultural aesthetics, and the development of social and categorical boundaries. In questioning where a sense of belonging to these music scenes stems from, findings reveal that participants have individual prior connection to a DIY ethos, but connection develops further when embedded within the scene. Connection to the scene is manifested most through collaboration and allyship in DIY projects as well as the presence and development of intimate spaces that communicate comfort in underground aesthetics and history. Results to the second research question reveal that boundaries and ideas of DIY are made clear through signaling in various forms such as in person interactions, zines, show posters, and demonstrations of political values. Tensions arise not only in dialogues on DIY genre and validity of social boundaries and aesthetics, but in the presence of exclusionary energy. Although exclusion and gatekeeping may be based in protective intentions, it can sometimes go so far as to be counterintuitive to the scenes accepting and leftist value claims
The Effects of Framing, Algorithmic Trust, and Pricing on Users' Willingness to Pay for Premium Features on Dating Apps
No full texthttps://rdc.reed.edu/v1/resources/69267860-543e-493d-ab1c-437178df837c/thumb/128.jpgThe rise of digital applications has fundamentally transformed human connection, creating a digital marketplace where emotional experiences intersect with monetization and revenue-generating strategies. This thesis investigates how framing effects, pricing strategies, and algorithmic trust influence users' willingness to pay (WTP) for premium features on dating apps. Drawing on behavioral economics theories such as Prospect Theory and signaling theory, the research explores how loss-framed versus gain-framed messaging, explicit high to low pricing versus hidden pricing, and users' trust in algorithmic recommendations affect purchasing behavior. Among participants willing to use dating apps, a within-subjects experimental design was employed to examine framing and price effects. Participants unwilling to ever use dating apps skipped the Ad Judgement phase and only completed the algorithmic trust survey. Mock advertisements with varied price anchors from Low to High were employed and algorithmic trust levels were measured using the Confining Perception of Algorithmic Recommendations (CP-ARM) scale. Results reveal that lower prices significantly increased WTP across all age groups, while high prices strongly deterred WTP, especially among young users. Loss-framed messages were slightly more persuasive than gain-framed ones, particularly for emotionally uncertain services, but their effectiveness diminished under decision fatigue. Furthermore, users with higher trust in algorithms were more susceptible to framing and exhibited greater price tolerance. These findings highlight the critical roles of behavioral nudges, pricing psychology, and technological trust in shaping digital consumer behavior. Implications for dating app marketing strategies and suggestions for future research on evolving user expectations in the AI-driven dating economy are discussed