1925 research outputs found
Sort by
Quantitative testing of the molecular evolution of the mammalian circular RNA locus CDR1/CDR1-as (ciRS-7)
No full textNon-coding RNAs hold important regulatory functions in cells, but little attention has been given to how these functions evolved. ciRS-7 (CDR1-as) is a circular non-coding RNA known to act as a “sponge” for microRNA (miRNA), allowing rapid changes to gene expression. Because it plays an important role in mammalian brain development, ciRS-7 is an ideal target to analyze for evolutionary conservation. In addition, its status as a natural antisense transcript to the protein-coding gene CDR1 allows both sequences to be tested independently. A modified version of the McDonald-Kreitman test (MKT) for directional selection was developed to test for conservation of the miRNA binding sites in ciRS-7, and the traditional form was used to test for protein sequence conservation in the CDR1 sequence. MKT testing indicated that strong negative selection is acting to preserve miRNA binding sites in ciRS-7, whereas no directional selection is occurring on the CDR1 gene. This suggests that the CDR1/ciRS-7 locus evolved as a functional non-coding RNA rather than as a protein-coding gene, and that the CDR1 protein may be an incidental product. As such, further study of the evolutionary history of non-coding RNAs should be pursued
Linking genetic variation in plant functional traits to source climate in key native Southwest restoration species
Get PDFIdentifying intraspecific variation in plant functional traits in relation to source climate is the first step towards understanding local adaptation, an ecological concept that can be used to
guide modern-day restoration decisions such as seed sourcing. Forbs are a historically
understudied functional group of plants in this area. We implemented a common garden study to
examine intraspecific variation in a series of plant traits across a group of Southwestern native
forb species that are commonly used in restoration. The common garden was planted with 10
species, each species sourced from 8 populations collected from varying climatic locations. Plant
functional traits related to performance in terms of growth, leaf characteristics, and reproductive
output were measured over the 2020 growing season. We found that source climate predicted
intraspecific variation in plant functional traits in some species and traits, but the degree and
direction of the trait-climate relationship varied by species and by trait. Height showed patterns
of climate adaptation across six of the nine species. In contrast, leaf N, specific leaf area, leaf dry
matter content, and seed mass each showed climate adaptiveness for only a small subset of the
species we examined. These results show that genetic variation of traits is related to climate in
these species, which has implications for guiding species selection in restoration
"What do you produce to the government?”: perspectives of psychiatric nurses on the stigmatization of care in Ghana
No full textMedical anthropologists with interests in mental illness have engaged in various facets of the goals of the Global Mental Health (GMH) in efforts to provide alternative and more culturally based approach in solving mental health issues worldwide. Literature suggests that medical anthropologists engaged in the field of GMH need to engage with institutions and authorities to address the underlying sociocultural, sociopolitical, and socioeconomic factors affecting mental healthcare provision around the world. This study draws from the perspectives of psychiatric nurses from the Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital to explore the experiences of Ghanaian psychiatric nurses in the provision of mental healthcare in Ghana. It complements the anthropology of global mental health by focusing on the experiences and perspectives of mental health nurses on mental health, stigma, and care in Ghana. The study uses anthropological perspectives and methods, including semi-structured interviews and conversations, to explore the experiences of mental health nurses. Stigmatization of care is a central theme identified in this research, as the worth of the mentally ill persons being cared for is questioned, leading to minimal attention towards mental healthcare provision in Ghana. Mental healthcare provision attracts stigma that comes with mental illness leading to discrimination and neglect towards its care and treatment. This type of stigma has a strong social structural support and may come from different dimensions, including individuals, communities, social groups, professional bodies, and even governments. The study responds to a gap in mental health research in Ghana: the need to consider the experiences and perspectives of psychiatric care providers in mental healthcare provision and promotion. The study contributes to efforts to improve mental healthcare policymaking and advocacy in Ghana, while contributing to anthropological literature on stigma and care
Grain Size Characteristics of Primordial Small Bodies in the Solar System
No full textIn this dissertation, I present a new approach using near-infrared spectroscopy to characterize and constrain the surface properties of unresolved asteroids. This approach will allow for the characterization of many new objects spanning a wide range of sizes and spin rates which will help shed light on the internal structure and evolution of these bodies. For specific near-Earth objects, this technique will allow for rapid characterization of surface properties for sample return missions and hazard assessment.
I present an overview of the instrument commissioning of the near-infrared High Throughput Spectrograph on the 4.3-m Lowell Discovery Telescope, an ideal instrument for rapid characterization of both near-Earth and Main Belt asteroids. This instrument will allow for new observations of small bodies for which we will be able to constrain and characterize their surface properties.
I present in detail the implementation of our approach using a new application of Hapke modeling specific to unresolved small bodies and an assessment of its sensitivity and ability to uniquely characterize the surface regolith on these bodies. Using laboratory spectra of ordinary chondrite meteorites, I have run over 600,000 models with a range of free parameters into the Hapke modeling to assess its ability to constrain regolith grain size for these samples. I have found that within a +/-10 range of the mineralogy number and +/-0.1 range of volume fraction, we are able to constrain the Hapke grain sizes consistent with the average physical sieve size of our samples.
I also present a disk-integrated application of the model for unresolved asteroid spectra which can be compared to ground truth measurements of regolith properties for Eros and Itokawa, and a disk-integrated photometric phase curve application which can be diagnostic of regolith grain size for unresolved bodies with high quality photometric phase curves, particularly those extending beyond phase angles of 30 degrees.
There are many future investigations which we discuss that can be carried out using our implementation of the Hapke model. These investigations will have significant impacts on planetary science and in our understanding of the physical properties of the small body population
Intercultural Competence among Study Abroad Students during the Coronavirus Disease Outbreak of 2019
Get PDFThis study researches the development of Intercultural Competence for students in Interdisciplinary Global Programs (IGP) who were evacuated from a year-long immersion abroad during the outbreak of COVID-19. The study concludes that IGP students utilized all six scales of Intercultural Competence as defined by the Global Perspectives Inventory (Research Institute for Studies in Education, 2017), with high demonstration of respect and acceptance of cultural differences and lower demonstration of knowledge of multicultural issues and interdependence and social concern. Students’ ability to think about multicultural issues and relate them in their relationships with others was the most difficult aspect of Intercultural Competence for this participant group. Although the experiences abroad studied here reflected four continents, nine countries, and five languages, there were no differential patterns in Intercultural Competence abilities due to these factors, demonstrating a strong foundational and sustained learning delivered through IGP programming and academic requirements. This research supports the assessment that IGP Level 4 students have demonstrated at or above Level 4 in the IGP Competency Roadmap for Intercultural Competence by having gained interest in their host country, demonstrated engagement in their host language and culture, gained awareness on how to foster an inclusive and welcoming climate locally and abroad, and found ways to identify and articulate their personal cultural adjustment. This Level 4 or above skill proficiency has enabled students to apply Intercultural Competence to directly problem-solve and communicate interculturally and to analyze the problem-solving and intercultural communication of others. Following Mezirow’s (1998) Transformation Learning Theory, this thesis demonstrates how students transformed their COVID-19 concrete experience (CE) through reflective observation (RO) provided by the IGP module to develop implications for actions that serve as guides for new experiences, particularly as related to Intercultural Competence. I postulate that these experiences, in conjunction with the complementary IGP competencies, generate future leaders of global positive change
Investigation of novel mycoviruses in Coccidioides genomes
No full textCoccidioides immitis and C. posadasii are the causative agents of Coccidioidomycosis, commonly known as Valley fever. Valley fever incidence is increasing every year, but only 40% of infections are symptomatic. The reason for this variation in disease is unknown, but one possibility lies in the presence or absence of mycoviral infection in Coccidioides. In this investigation, DNA and RNA genomic datasets were analyzed with two different bioinformatic pipelines to look for mycoviral sequences. Many viral sequences were found in DNA genomes, such as human gammaherpesvirus type 4, viruses belonging to the genus Terrestrivirus, viruses belonging to the order Caudovirales, and various phage of human pathogenic bacteria. The main viral sequences identified in RNA datasets included members of the genera Flavivirus, Gammaretrovirus, Alpharetrovirus, and Lentivirus. Some of the human-pathogenic viral sequences may have come from viruses associated with human hosts, as most Coccidioides samples have been isolated from biopsies of infected human tissue. Additionally, the fungus may be infected by viruses of soil-dwelling hosts in its natural arid soil environment. Finally, sequence identifications may be the result of in-lab contamination. Within the limits of our study, no mycoviral sequences were identified. Thus, direct molecular methods are needed to determine the exact source and significance of viral sequences we detected, and necessitates the development of specific methods to extract and enrich for double stranded RNA from Coccidioides total RNA. Based on lack of mycoviral sequence detection in the existing genome datasets, we hypothesize that direct targeted sequencing of dsRNA will be the most likely ii method to discover mycoviruses if they exist in Coccidioides. The current study represents a proof-of-concept approach for bioinformatic identification of novel viral sequences present in Coccidioides WGS datasets
Factors influencing growth in the Grand Canyon Colorado River population of flannelmouth sucker (Catostomus latippinis)
Get PDFThe flannelmouth sucker (Catostomus latipinnis) (hereafter FMS) is currently the most abundant native fish in the Grand Canyon reaches of the Colorado River. Because it has a more stable population than other native fish in this river system, limited research has been conducted to assess its population stability, abundance, and growth. In this research, I have determined the environmental variables that affect flannelmouth sucker growth. I assessed the effects of monthly temperature, turbidity, and gross primary productivity stratified by reach in a Bayesian growth-in-length model, and use an inclusion approach operationalized by slab and spike priors for variable selection. Over a six year time series I found that gross primary productivity and temperature have positive impacts on FMS mean monthly growth rates, while higher turbidity causes a decrease in FMS monthly growth. This study shows one of the first connections between freshwater fish growth and gross primary productivity. These variables did not interact with initial fish length to influence growth rate. FMS growth rate in Grand Canyon also varied by time and location, because the environmental variables considered in this research vary across time and location. Growth is highest in reaches farther downstream from Glen Canyon Dam than in reaches nearest to the dam. Across all reaches, FMS have a higher mean monthly growth rate during summer months than winter months, and the yearly growth rate has increased between 2012 and 2018. This research is a step toward developing a better understanding of the drivers of population recovery of FMS in Grand Canyon, creating management plans that promote conservation of FMS and similar species, and predicting how the population of FMS will change in future conditions
Pre-Service Teachers’ Personality Traits and Dispositional Factors, and its Relationship to Self-Efficacy and Commitment to the Profession
No full textThis study examined the relationship of pre-service teachers’ personality factors, dispositions, grit, self-efficacy, and commitment by exploring the interplay of these relationships and their potential predictive nature. Teacher retention is a pressing issue, as 42% of new teachers are likely to quit the profession within five years of entry (Ingersoll et al., 2014). Previous literature has posited that understanding the psychological profiles of pre-service teachers could provide an avenue to better prepare teachers and may have the potential to attract, assist, and retain quality teachers (Corcoran & O’Flaherty, 2016). An online set of instruments composed of a demographic questionnaire and five self-report measures was completed by 145 pre-service teachers. Results were analyzed using bivariate correlations and stepwise regression. Many statistically significant relationships were found. Dispositions and grit significantly predicted self-efficacy. Grit, neuroticism, dispositions, and agreeableness significantly predicted commitment. Conscientiousness and neuroticism significantly predicted grit. Conscientiousness, agreeableness, and extraversion significantly predicted dispositions.
This study provided evidence that significant relationships exist among several psychological characteristics of pre-service teachers. Multiple factors appear to display an interaction effect indicating pre-service teachers’ demonstrating psychological strengths in one area may likely possess strengths in other areas. Pre-service teachers may draw upon these psychological assets when faced with challenges. The results suggest the inverse may also be true. Pre-service teachers displaying lower levels of psychological assets may be prone to experiencing psychological distress across other factors and may benefit from additional external supports such as mentoring. This information can help teacher preparation programs consider specific interventions to target these factors to better prepare pre-service teachers
Evaluating Methods to Account for Soil Organic Carbon Stock Changes in Agricultural Lands
No full textSoil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration has essential implications for climate change mitigation, land health, and sustainable community development. However, land management strategies that encourage SOC sequestration are often underprioritized in carbon offset programs. We hypothesize that this is due to difficulties regarding accounting for soil carbon stock changes in response to land management choices. Field measurements are expensive and not often accessible to those in non-Annex I countries. Therefore, estimation methods using empirical or mathematical models are often utilized, but there are large discrepancies in estimates of changes in SOC stocks when applying different methodologies. We first focused on two of the estimation methods set out in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Tiered accounting approach in order to understand how well they performed against observed SOC changes in two U.S. field studies. This was accomplished by applying the tiered methodologies (Tier 1 & 3) to two published studies in the United States. Tier 3 was represented by the process-based models: COMET Farm and COMET Planner. We hypothesized that COMET Farm would produce estimates closest to the observed field measurements. However, we found that Tier 1 performed just as well as COMET Farm. To assure that land management strategies are being taken to sequester SOC, IPCC Tier 1 estimation methodology use should not be discouraged in situations where resources or land information is sparse. Next, we surveyed past and present participants in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Climate, Community and Biodiversity/Verified Carbon Standard (CCB/VCS) restoration and carbon offset programs to understand their approach for accounting for changes in soil carbon stocks. The survey invitations revealed communication issues between project leaders and developers. Several email invites came back with error messages stating that those addresses were no longer in existence. Therefore, we believe that this may lead to issues with project verification. This also suggests that collaboration is not occurring between projects. Finally, based on survey responses that were collected, soil carbon sequestration accounting does not seem to be prioritized in the CDM or the CCB/VCS. More research should be done to understand this prioritization given to accounting for soil carbon sequestration in carbon offset programs
Mychael Danna's Fusion of Styles in the Score for Life of Pi
No full textA well-executed film score will not only support the story, but also intensify the drama and emotional impact. Numerous studies regarding the psychological effect on the audience show that music manipulates perception of images. Known as a pioneer in the film industry for his technique, Mychael Danna fuses musical genres and instruments from different cultures and eras to enhance the setting, plot, and experience of the film. In an unusual story of survival, faith, and hope, the movie Life of Pi unites humanity into one person represented in the film’s protagonist. Danna incorporates musical expressions from disparate cultures, like Hindustani ragas and Indian instruments, liturgical traditions, and a Western orchestra, into a surprising and cohesive arrangement that supports the narrative. The sounds, divergent from the typical aural experience, create tension in the audience because they cannot predict the action on screen based on pre-conditioned presumptions. Danna challenges perceptions and expectations about what a film score should be by blending Eastern and Western musical styles. Close examination of scenes demonstrates subtle emotional cues Danna inserts into each image in order to elicit specific responses. The approach to go against expectations is inventive and effective in influencing perception of the film, making each scene more intriguing. Embracing musical culture from around the globe, Danna reimagines the possibilities, disregards the separations of genres, and connects humanity through a diversity of musical expression