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- Creators: Department of Psychology
Description
In 2019, over 1 million deaths were attributed to antimicrobial-resistant infections, a number projected to rise in the future. To mitigate antimicrobial resistance (AMR) risks, the poultry industry seeks alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) in broiler feed. AGPs are subtherapeutic doses of antibiotics used as animal feed additives to enhance growth performance and reduce subclinical infections among animal populations. Concerns regarding broiler health – increased pathogen exposure, chronic inflammation, and growth reduction – highlight a need for viable alternatives in broiler production. Antibiotic use exerts selective pressure, enabling resistant bacteria to proliferate and spread untreatable infections. This study evaluated non-fermented and fermented grape pomace (GP) products, rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, as AGP substitutes through metrics of AMR gene profiles, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) profiles, and growth outcomes in 60 Cornish Cross broilers. Broilers were randomly assigned to six dietary groups: standard diet wheat-corn-soybean meal (STD), 30% rice bran or non-starch polysaccharide (NSP), NSP + zinc bacitracin (AGP), NSP + 0.5% GP (GP), NSP + 0.5% Lactobacillus casei fermented GP (LAB FGP), and NSP + 0.5% Saccharomyces cerevisiae EC1118 fermented GP (YST FGP). NSP was included in the experimental groups to induce low-grade gut inflammation. Cecal samples were collected post-treatment and DNA was extracted for qPCR and HPLC analysis. qPCR was utilized to detect and quantify 3 target AMR genes associated with zinc bacitracin resistance (bacA, bcrA, bcrB). Findings revealed that bacA was ubiquitous with high gene copy numbers, while bcrA and bcrB displayed greater variability. AGP broilers exhibited elevated bcrA and bcrB levels, whereas GP-based treatments had lower detection frequencies. SCFA analysis revealed notable differences between inflamed and non-inflamed groups as well as significant differences in SCFA profiles of synbiotic-fed groups. Propionate and butyrate were scarcely detected except in LAB FGP and YST FGP groups indicative of unique rehabilitation mechanisms with probiotic co-supplementation. Isobutyrate, acetate, and formate concentrations remained relatively consistent but trended away from extremes in GP-based groups. While not all comparisons were statistically significant, these findings indicate that GP-based treatments may promote gut SCFA profile recovery post-inflammation and serve as a viable AGP alternative, potentially moderating AMR gene proliferation in broiler production.
ContributorsTanveer, Haadia (Author) / Abdollahzadeh, Darya (Co-author) / Voth-Gaeddert, Lee (Thesis director) / Glesener, Hannah (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
In primates, the offspring of first-time mothers are less likely to survive than those of multiparous females, likely due to lack of experience with rearing. One way that nulliparous females may gain mothering experience and improve their likelihood of success is by providing alloparental care to their younger siblings. My study investigated the correlation between survival probability of a female chimpanzee’s first-born and whether she had younger siblings prior to motherhood. I used long-term data from 33 first-time mothers in two communities of chimpanzees at Gombe National Park, Tanzania to quantify variation in offspring survival for primiparous mothers. I employed a Cox proportional hazards model to compare survival through infancy, weaning, and adolescence for offspring of primiparous mothers with and without younger siblings. My results did not provide sufficient evidence to support the claim that having younger siblings improves the likelihood of success for first-time mothers. Overall, this suggests that 1) presence of younger siblings alone might not be a sufficient metric for capturing alloparental care experience, 2) there may be alternative explanations or benefits for providing alloparental care to siblings beyond gaining mothering experience, or 3) actual correlations may be obscured by the limited sample size.
ContributorsKim, Lauren (Author) / Gilby, Ian (Thesis director) / Roivas, Shannon (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / Historical, Philosophical & Religious Studies, Sch (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
This thesis explores the complex relationship between transnational adoption and how the development of self-identity is affected in young children. Through an extensive literature review, it investigates how transracial adoptees, with an emphasis on those adopted into racially or culturally different families, often experience confusion, social challenges, and a lack of a sense of belonging. The thesis then assesses currently available books that are meant as resources to support transnational adoptees to encourage understanding and expression of their identities and adoptions. While many books address the love within diverse families, many lack a focus on the child and their perspective. Additionally, there is a lack of representation of how these adoptees who struggle with their self-identities interact with the larger society around them. Using this information, the thesis then proposes the creation of a new children’s book that directly supports identity formation in transnational adoptees. This book is created using all of the information collected to help transnational adoptees and other children who feel different from their families, to inspire young children and help them feel seen, understood, and validated in their unique experiences.
ContributorsVaughan, Emma (Author) / Soares, Rebecca (Thesis director) / Bodman, Denise (Committee member) / Van Vleet, Bethany (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor)
Created2025-05
DescriptionPosits models for modeling agent-specific demand patterns given beliefs.
ContributorsDauterman, James (Author) / Watson, Jeffrey (Thesis director) / Ballantyne, Nathan (Committee member) / Filmore-Patrick, Stella (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / Historical, Philosophical & Religious Studies, Sch (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
Background: Thyroid dysfunction is prevalent among older adults. The role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis in depression has been largely studied, however: its relationship with anxiety is under-studied. The overlap of hyperthyroidism and anxiety lead to this investigation of the association between thyroid hormone levels and anxiety.
Methods: The non-industrial population studied was the Tsimane. Fasting morning blood samples were collected from 464 participants, aged 40-89, and serum levels of triiodothyronine (T3, thyroxine (T4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Anxiety score was assessed using a questionnaire that was culturally adapted by bilingual Tsimane research assistants.
Results: The study showed an association between elevated log T4 levels and increased anxiety scores (b= 0.662, p = 0.013), while T3 and TSH showed no significant correlation with anxiety (p>0.05).
Conclusion: The findings are in alignment with results of previous studies in industrialized populations. This association is suggestive of a biological link between high T4 and anxiety. The lifestyle of the Tsimane, however, could have contributed to the variations in thyroid function and anxiety.
ContributorsHouser, Karis (Author) / Trumble, Ben (Thesis director) / Aronoff, Jacob (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
This thesis explores the relationship between emotional intelligence, intellectual intelligence, and societal success, with a focus on the relationship between emotional intelligence and success. Drawing from research of past literature on intellect and emotional intelligence, this paper describes the history of the terms, their testing methods, and influential factors. The focus of emotional intelligence is brought to light with the question of whether emotional intelligence is an indicator of success and if it can be improved over time. This paper will also cover how we should implement education on this topic to help aid college students succeed in college and their future lives. A one-hour emotional intelligence workshop was designed for Barrett, the Honors College students, which includes activities that focus on emotional intelligence competencies. Empathy, social skills, active listening, and relationship management are a few that are covered in this intervention. With emotional intelligence development being ongoing, higher education curricula should incorporate workshops to foster long-term growth of emotional intelligence.
ContributorsStern, Cara (Author) / Sturgess, Jessica (Thesis director) / Pedram, Christina (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
This project explores the evolving concept of workplace identity within large corporations, focusing on the cultural and generational shifts brought about by Generation Z. Historically, corporate America upheld a rigid, cookie-cutter image of the "white collar worker," often defined by conformity in gender, race, and class—primarily favoring white males in formal office roles. However, as Gen Z enters the workforce, their progressive values surrounding diversity, inclusion, and self-expression are reshaping corporate norms. Influenced by identity politics, stronger anti-discrimination laws, the impact of social media, and the lasting effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, Gen Z is challenging traditional corporate structures and pushing for more authentic, flexible, and representative workplace environments. This project examines the historical context of identity in the corporate world and analyzes how Gen Z is redefining what it means to "belong" in the modern office.
ContributorsHessing, Margot (Author) / Soares, Rebecca (Thesis director) / Festa, Lorraine (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
Biodosimetry uses changes in biological responses to understand radiation dosage in an individual. In the case of a nuclear incident, limited resources would need to be properly allocated in order to ensure timely and effective medical treatment in a population. Currently, there is an unmet need for the development of an inexpensive test that can quickly detect and quantify radiation absorption on a mass scale. The Murugan lab has previously identified various diagnostic biomarkers based off of analysis of human total body irradiation (TBI). We tested multiple TaqMan custom assays for each of these genes and then determined which of these Taqman assays had the best amplification efficiency in qPCR using standard curve and slope analysis. Following optimization, these assays will be used on various irradiated non-human primate (NHP) samples at different doses in order to verify gene expression level changes. Our aim is to use these results to validate gene expression results of a developing next-generation-based biodosimetry test. Additionally, we hope to use these findings to develop a rapid, diagnostic point-of-care test in order to inform appropriate care for radiation-exposed individuals. To aid completion of this project, we also performed reagent stability testing of some cDNA synthesis, preamplification, and qPCR reagents and determined increased stability beyond manufacturer expiration dates.
ContributorsTang, Mikayla (Author) / Murugan, Vel (Thesis director) / Hou, Ching-Wen (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
Parental divorce is more than just two parties separating; for millions of families across the United States, children have long-lasting psychological, emotional, and behavioral challenges after a parental separation. This study aims to examine two types of divorce resolution, family mediation and court adjudication (litigation), in terms of their ability to minimize the negative impacts of the divorce process on children. Our study uses a mixed-method approach, meaning that qualitative interviews and quantitative survey results are used together to create findings. The survey method used students at a large southwestern university (N = 159) to investigate general perceptions of divorce, mediation, and litigation, explicitly emphasizing perceptions of harm to children. The qualitative interviews used legal experts, a family law judge, a juvenile public defender, a child psychologist, and a professional mediator to provide insights into the legal dimension of divorce.
Results demonstrate that mediation is perceived to be more effective than court adjudication in reducing conflict between parents during the divorce process. Additionally, a strong correlation was found between a person's belief in mediation's ability to minimize conflict and mediation benefits for children (p < 0.001). The reason for this, as demonstrated by the legal experts, was mediation's ability to increase collaboration between parents, lower emotional distress, and prioritize children's well-being. Litigation, on the other hand, was found to escalate conflict, which can place children at an increased risk of emotional distress, attachment issues, and legal system involvement. The study also found that individuals who experienced divorce firsthand were not statistically more likely to support mediation (p = 0.098), which suggests that exposure to high-conflict divorces may reinforce adversarial perspectives on separations and the best way to go about them.
In a nutshell, the study finds the importance of promoting divorce mediation as the primary dispute resolution, not an alternative to litigation. By integrating legal and psychological perspectives, our research provides a comprehensive review of how different divorce resolution methods shape child outcomes and reinforces the need for child-oriented divorce policies.
ContributorsFeffer, Ariel (Author) / Kelley, Peter (Co-author) / Hoekstra, Valerie (Thesis director) / Simhony, Avital (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law (Contributor) / School of Politics and Global Studies (Contributor) / School of Civic & Economic Thought and Leadership (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
This is a research paper aiming to answer the questions of how AI has affected reporting practices in the local Phoenix industry, and how will AI continue to affect the industry? This study uses qualitative interviews of eight local journalists in the Arizona market supplemented by academic research about AI and the journalism industry to see how AI has changed newsroom practices, gauge how far AI can go in replacing journalists, and predict how the future of the technology in journalism may look.
ContributorsWickman, Dylan (Author) / Menees, Jodi (Thesis director) / Pucci, Jessica (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor)
Created2025-05