Antibiotics, bacteria, and the continuing trend of antibiotic resistance increasing in various bacteria strains is a complex and multifaceted set of relationships explored in this thesis. Examining a variety of published literature in various sectors of influence, including the social, medical, and economic divisions, this thesis examined the core factors and combined them into a set of recommendations for future progress. In this way, the subject of antibiotic resistance in bacteria begins with an evaluation of the history then continued into an analysis of the economic factors, a social understanding of the subject, a medical evaluation of current procedure, and a concluding framework and general set of recommendations for future use. Ultimately, these factors require a multifaceted approach in order to combat the numerous factors and contributions to emerging antibiotic resistance in bacteria both in the United States of America and around the world.

This project aims to address the current protocol regarding the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in medical industries around the world. Although there are various methods used to qualitatively determine if TBI has occurred to a patient, this study attempts to aid in the creation of a system for quantitative measurement of TBI and its relative magnitude. Through a method of artificial evolution/selection called phage display, an antibody that binds highly specifically to a post-TBI upregulated brain chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan called neurocan has been identified. As TG1 Escheria Coli bacteria were infected with KM13 helper phage and M13 filamentous phage in conjunction, monovalent display of antibody fragments (ScFv) was performed. The ScFv bind directly to the neurocan and from screening, phage that produced ScFv's with higher affinity and specificity to neurocan were separated and purified. Future research aims to improve the ScFv characteristics through increased screening toward neurocan. The identification of a highly specific antibody could lead to improved targeting of neurocan post-TBI in-vivo, aiding researchers in quantitatively defining TBI by visualizing its magnitude.

To identify genes that can lead to obesity of Pima Native American heritage, an array of experiments can be conducted to determine possible candidate genes that can increase the likelihood of being obese in a set population. The studies available to identify these genes were (1) inspect follow-up genes identified by a previous genome wide associations studies, GWAS, previously conducted for the 1120 American Indian subjects data available, (2) to directly sequence candidate genes in literature, (3) to analyze whole sequence data from Native American subjects, and lastly (4) to perform functional studies on most promising variants associated with BMI. Analyzing the results presented from my work required the use of biological techniques such as: DNA sequencing, DNA large scale genotyping, PCR amplification, DNA transfections, DNA ligations, in vitro Luciferase assay and Cell culture. Inspecting the follow-up genes identified by the conducted GWAS showed the potential for the MAP2K3 gene to be a candidate to increase obesity in the set population, involve two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs, rs12882548, rs11652094), to affect body weight through complex mechanisms involving food intake and hypothalamic inflammation. The follow-up genes identified in the GWAS that had an effect on obesity showed to affect it through the mechanism of reducing energy expenditure. Through the analysis of SNPs two variants (rs10507100 and rs17087518) were identified to test their roles in the reduction of energy expenditure. Rs17087518 showed to have a role in a relatively reduced EE resulting in weight gain. Directly sequencing a candidate gene known as MRAP2 showed that the SNP rs1928281 did not have a significant difference on obesity in the Native American subjects (p =.09). Analyzing whole genome sequencing SNPs gave rise to novel variants by association analyses with energy expenditure and BMI in 235 whole genomes, the most significant SNP, rs4984683, was examined to determine the variability in energy expenditures. With set quality control assessment a list of variants were received and were then later assessed with other data available to make a connection to EE. Performing functional studies showed the possibility for rs2001651 and rs1466314 to have an effect on MAP2K3 expression level. The initial functional studies gave way to a more in-depth study of this gene to predict BMI in Caucasians and Native Americans, which in turn showed an association with BMI. The use of these techniques have been an indicator for current research in the determination of candidate genes across many diseases. The works presented is an example of the current works in genetics and an exploration of new mechanism to detect, and possibly treat, disease through personalized sequencing.

This paper explores multidisciplinary curricula, services, and experiential learning in higher education on sustainability. Researchers attempt to understand sustainability as a formalized degree program, what frameworks and techniques are used to improve new disciplines, and how Arizona State University's School of Sustainability (SOS) improves sustainability education in higher learning. Secondary research includes a discussion on the history of sustainability as a discipline, the university as a social system, the role of university administration, the roles of professors and students, benchmarking and process improvement for curriculum development, and methods to bridge epistemologies in SOS. The paper presents findings from a study of the SOS undergraduate student experience that used focus groups to gather qualitative data and statistical analysis to analyze that data quantitatively. Study findings indicate that that measuring student perception of SOS's academic services, and understanding the social system of the university, helps administration, faculty, and students collaborate more effectively to enhance learning experiences.

To supplement lectures, various resources are available to students; however, little research has been done to look systematically at which resources studies find most useful and the frequency at which they are used. We have conducted a preliminary study looking at various resources available in an introductory material science course over four semesters using a custom survey called the Student Resource Value Survey (SRVS). More specifically, the SRVS was administered before each test to determine which resources students use to do well on exams. Additionally, over the course of the semester, which resources students used changed. For instance, study resources for exams including the use of homework problems decreased from 81% to 50%, the utilization of teaching assistant for exam studying increased from 25% to 80%, the use of in class Muddiest Points for exam study increased form 28% to 70%, old exams and quizzes only slightly increased for exam study ranging from 78% to 87%, and the use of drop-in tutoring services provided to students at no charge decreased from 25% to 17%. The data suggest that students thought highly of peer interactions by using those resources more than tutoring centers. To date, no research has been completed looking at courses at the department level or a different discipline. To this end, we adapted the SRVS administered in material science to investigate resource use in thirteen biomedical engineering (BME) courses. Here, we assess the following research question: "From a variety of resources, which do biomedical engineering students feel addresses difficult concept areas, prepares them for examinations, and helps in computer-aided design (CAD) and programming the most and with what frequency?" The resources considered include teaching assistants, classroom notes, prior exams, homework problems, Muddiest Points, office hours, tutoring centers, group study, and the course textbook. Results varied across the four topical areas: exam study, difficult concept areas, CAD software, and math-based programming. When preparing for exams and struggling with a learning concept, the most used and useful resources were: 1) homework problems, 2) class notes and 3) group studying. When working on math-based programming (Matlab and Mathcad) as well as computer-aided design, the most used and useful resources were: 1) group studying, 2) engineering tutoring center, and 3) undergraduate teaching assistants. Concerning learning concepts and exams in the BME department, homework problems and class notes were considered some of the highest-ranking resources for both frequency and usefulness. When comparing to the pilot study in MSE, both BME and MSE students tend to highly favor peer mentors and old exams as a means of studying for exams at the end of the semester1. Because the MSE course only considered exams, we cannot make any comparisons to BME data concerning programming and CAD. This analysis has highlighted potential resources that are universally beneficial, such as the use of peer work, i.e. group studying, engineering tutoring center, and teaching assistants; however, we see differences by both discipline and topical area thereby highlighting the need to determine important resources on a class-by-class basis as well.

Concept maps are teaching tools used to encourage students to utilize active learning strategies and to take responsibility for their own learning. The purpose of this two-semester study is to evaluate the use of concept maps in a junior-level Biomaterials classroom. The maps are assessed based on students' attitude, achievement, and persistence. No significant correlation was determined between concept map score and achievement (correlation coefficient = 0.1739 in the first semester, 0.2208 in the first set of the second semester, and 0.0829 in the second set of the second semester), though further studies should be completed to support the effects of concept mapping. Statistically significant increases in student attitude regarding concept mapping cost, interest, and utility between the two semesters were found (p = 0.013, p = 0.105, p = 0.002, p = 0.083 overall). Persistence was moderately high throughout the entire study (98% in the first semester and 100% in the second semester).

The development of computational systems known as brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) offers the possibility of allowing individuals disabled by neurological disorders such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and ischemic stroke the ability to perform relatively complex tasks such as communicating with others and walking. BCIs are closed-loop systems that record physiological signals from the brain and translate those signals into commands that control an external device such as a wheelchair or a robotic exoskeleton. Despite the potential for BCIs to vastly improve the lives of almost one billion people, one question arises: Just because we can use brain-computer interfaces, should we? The human brain is an embodiment of the mind, which is largely seen to determine a person's identity, so a number of ethical and philosophical concerns emerge over current and future uses of BCIs. These concerns include privacy, informed consent, autonomy, identity, enhancement, and justice. In this thesis, I focus on three of these issues: privacy, informed consent, and autonomy. The ultimate purpose of brain-computer interfaces is to provide patients with a greater degree of autonomy; thus, many of the ethical issues associated with BCIs are intertwined with autonomy. Currently, brain-computer interfaces exist mainly in the domain of medicine and medical research, but recently companies have started commercializing BCIs and providing them at affordable prices. These consumer-grade BCIs are primarily for non-medical purposes, and so they are beyond the scope of medicine. As BCIs become more widespread in the near future, it is crucial for interdisciplinary teams of ethicists, philosophers, engineers, and physicians to collaborate to address these ethical concerns now before BCIs become more commonplace.

The purpose of this research was to determine and evaluate glutamate oxidase's ability to detect levels of glutamate as part of a working sensor capable of quantifying and detecting stress within the body in the case of adverse neurological events such as traumatic brain injury. Using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), a linear dynamic range of glutamate was detected with a slope of 36.604 z/ohm/[pg/mL], a lower detection limit at 12.417 pg/mL, correlation of 0.97, and an optimal binding frequency of 117.20 Hz. After running through a frequency sweep the binding frequency was determined based on the highest consistent reproducibility and slope. The sensor was found to be specific against literature researched non-targets glucose, albumin, and epinephrine and working in dilutions of whole blood up to a concentration of 25%. With the implementation of Nafion, the sensor had a 250% improvement in signal and 155% improvement in correlation in 90% whole blood, illustrating the promise of a working blood sensor. Future work includes longitudinal studies and utilizing mesoporous carbon as the immobilization platform and incorporating this as part of a continuous, multiplexed blood sensor with glucose oxidase.