Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) currently lacks a biological diagnostic test, ongoing research is being conducted to develop a urine biomarker test for autism. Researchers are investigating possible anions, such as sulfur-based anions, as a biomarker for autism. Although studies have not measured the quantification of sulfate-based anions within a biospecimen while using Ion Chromatography (IC) for a 24-hour period. Research studies on autism biomarker development could greatly benefit by investigating and quantifying sulfur-based anions such as sulfate, sulfide, sulfite, or thiosulfate. Our research investigated the quantifications of anions through the analysis of biospecimens across 24-hours in an IC. The results of our research indicate that sulfate fluctuates the least and was consistently read by the IC at each time point across 24 hours whereas the other anions of interest presented greater fluctuations and were not detected at each time point across the 24 hours under the conditions tested.

This thesis explores the correlation between demographic factors and gun violence rates in Mohave and Yuma Counties in Arizona from a public health perspective. With the growing recognition of gun violence as a significant public health issue, this research aims to identify specific demographic characteristics that influence rates of gun-related homicides and suicides.

Dementia is a disease affecting many individuals worldwide resulting in neurological deficits. The most common form of dementia known as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. The disease is defined by neuron loss, the presence of intracellular tau protein (tubulin associated unit) neurofibrillary tangles (NFT), and extracellular amyloid- (Aβ) plaques. For this study, our aim was to understand the staging system used based off of the disease progression, called Braak Staging. Our hypothesis is that as disease progresses, marked by Braak stages, different brain regions will begin to show differential expressions of various biological dysregulations. Molecular dysfunctions of early disease will be precursors to later disease dysfunctions. The outcomes of our study indicated there were several molecular dysfunctions in early disease with tau pathology not present in the region yet.

Immediately following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the European Union (EU) activated the Temporary Protection Directive (TPD) for Ukrainian refugees, contrasting with its inaction during the 2015 Syrian crisis. This inconsistency revealed double standards in EU refugee policy. This thesis explores the EU's Othering in its responses to the Syrian and Ukrainian refugee situations, showing how the EU portrays migrants to affirm its identity. While the response to Syrians in 2015 depicted refugees as a threat to European Christian identity, the response to Ukrainians in 2022 showed more solidarity due to shared "Europeanness." Using the TPD as a lens, this thesis exposes the EU's selective refugee protection based on racialized Othering, where more "European" groups receive favorable treatment. Media narratives further emphasize the differences between Syrian and Ukrainian refugees. The thesis calls for the EU to prioritize human rights over restrictive identity notions.

This study aimed to investigate the association between active physical comforting strategies during bedtime and autonomy strategies with the relative abundances of Veillonella, Corynebacteria, Prevotella, and Faecalibacterium genera in the gut microbiota of three-month-old infants. We also assessed the impact of mode of delivery (vaginal delivery vs. cesarean section), feeding mode (breastfeeding vs. formula feeding), and sleep patterns on the relative abundances of prespecified bacterial genera. The study also aimed to explore how different nighttime parental interventions influenced gut microbiota composition and identify potential interventions to improve health outcomes in infant growth development and sleep.

Understanding why individuals vary in the onset and progression of aging-related diseases is important for developing interventions to extend healthy human lifespans. A possible mechanism underlying variation in aging and disease is increased somatic mutations with age. One result of somatic mutation, clonal hematopoiesis (CH), is the overrepresentation of blood cells originating from a single progenitor stem cell. When these clones become more frequent (≥4% of white blood cells), it is called “clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential” (CHIP), which is associated with aging, pre-cancer, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease. Frequency of these mutations may also be predicted by facets of individuals’ environments, such as experiencing significant adverse life events, which have been linked to acceleration of other aspects of aging. We hypothesize that older individuals, particularly those that have experienced environmental adversity, will be more likely to have CH mutations. We also expect to see expansion of CHIP clones over time within individuals. We are testing these hypotheses in a population of free-ranging rhesus macaques, which have similar immune systems to humans and experience various types of environmental adversity. We have sequenced DNA from this population and are working to identify animals with CHIP. We plan to test whether demographic and environmental factors (i.e., adversity, sex) influence the development of CH driver mutations during aging, along with analyzing clonal dynamics and phenotypic effects in individuals with CHIP. Our findings will provide insight into the factors that influence CHIP development and progression, ultimately contributing to interventions to delay or prevent CHIP.

Puberty is a critical stage in the human life course. Specifically, puberty is the physiological transitionary period that marks the beginning of human reproduction capability. These physiological changes are markedly different in boys and girls and accordingly typically occur on different timelines. Furthermore, these timelines are not a set guideline for every child as some may develop earlier and others later. This age of onset is a general range that has been observed and considered to be the normal age of onset. The normal age of onset of puberty is typically between ages 8 and 13 for girls or 9 and 14 for boys (Brito & Latronico, 2015, 93). Any development seen before these ages is typically defined as early onset and development seen after is late development. Professionals have further defined different stages of puberty in both boys and girls. In girls, this involves breast development, body hair growth, changes in height and weight, and menarche (Wheeler, 1991, pg. 2). In boys, pubertal development often involves genital growth, body hair growth, deepening of voice, and growth spurts (6). Puberty onset has been a popular topic of study in the health sciences as the age of onset can indicate the impact of biological and environmental factors. In particular, inequality in research of pubertal onset, the effects of early/delayed onset, and race/ethnicity is of special interest. For instance, there is a lack of existing literature on the role that culture plays on pubertal onset in Latino youth. This analysis intends to investigate the relationship between the integration of Hispanic culture in children’s lives and pubertal onset.

The secular rights surrounding dead bodies are conditional and possess unfortunate shortcomings. The existence of ghosts as representatives of the supernatural seem to make up for those shortcomings and provide a firmer foundation for rights. Thus I explore the existence of supernatural rights of the dead as present in a wide basis of belief systems. From this I examine the connection between the supernatural rights and the current discussions on secular rights of the dead, finding the supernatural rights acting as an impetus for the secular.

The primary objective of this study is to explore the lived experience of individuals in CCRCs, with a focus on healthy aging within the United States healthcare system, using Arizona as a representative example of broader regional healthcare structures. This objective was guided by three research questions: 1) How do residents in CCRCs perceive healthy aging within the context of their community? 2) Do specific features of the built environment either facilitate or hinder individual health objectives? 3) Is there a connection between healthy aging and access to healthcare within CCRCs? The anticipated outcomes aim to offer fresh perspectives on residents' perceptions within these communities, examining how particular features either bolster or pose challenges to their health objectives. These perspectives will ultimately offer new insights into planned community design at a granular level within the American context.