The Role of DMC1 in Meiotic Homologous Recombination in \u3ci\u3eArabidopsis Thaliana\u3c/i\u3e

Dmc1 is a meiosis-specific recombinase that is integral to DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair using the homologous recombination pathway. This pathway uses a homologous sister chromatid as a template for DNA repair synthesis. After a DSB is formed, DNA end resection occurs, leaving a 3’single strand DNA (ssDNA) overhang. Dmc1 polymerizes on this ssDNA to form a right-handed helical protein filament that catalyzes the search for a homologous DNA region to facilitate strand invasion. Other protein factors such as Hop2-Mnd1 are recruited to promote Dmc1 mediated recombination. Recently, a mutation in Dmc1 was found to cause sterility in Arabidopsis thaliana. To determine the impact this mutation has on the recombination activities of Dmc1, I expressed and purified wildtype and mutant atDmc1 proteins from bacteria. The purified wildtype and variant Dmc1 proteins were subjected to various biochemical analyses that monitored the ability of Dmc1 to catalyze the search for homology and perform DNA strand exchange. The variant Dmc1 protein was severely attenuated in its ability to perform homology directed repair. Protein factors such as Hop2-Mnd1 and CAF1G in Arabidopsis thaliana potentially modulate the activity of Dmc1 and may be able to compensate for this loss of activity. The results from this project provide insight into the function of a highly conserved amino acid residue within Dmc1 and may explain why a mutation of this amino acid results in sterility in plants

The Consumer Behavior Impact of Data Capture Through Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence is changing the way consumers search for information and purchase items and, thus, how people behave across generations. Due to the nature of this cutting-edge technology, organizations are investigating how much to wisely invest, but the artificial intelligence offerings are outpacing the research. Academic scholars and marketing professionals have issued timely prompts for additional studies to supplement the existing literature, which is limited. This research provides insights into privacy concerns surrounding the data collection of artificial intelligence and whether people feel exploited or served by it. Across two articles, surveys were deployed and collected to provide quantitative data that explains consumer behavior, first by considering the generation an individual belongs to and whether that alone is a determinant of feelings associated with artificial intelligence data capture interactions. Second, in a deeper dive, a Technology Readiness Index score was assessed and then compared to various scales, which once again examined privacy concerns with artificial intelligence data collection, perceived threats with online data housing, and the perceived severity of these actions. Patterns of behavior were detected through Structural Equation Modeling analysis. Findings showed that older generations do in fact feel heightened senses of exploitation with artificial intelligence data capture compared to younger generations. The data also revealed that an individual’s Technology Readiness Index score directly relates to whether they feel more exploited or served by artificial intelligence data capture

A Feasibility Study: Using the HEEADSSS Psychosocial Interview Combined with Bright Futures Youth Risk Screening Instruments in the Primary Care Setting

The purpose of this dissertation was to explore adolescent risk screening in the primary care center. The Donabedian Framework of structure, process, outcome was used throughout this dissertation to evaluate the various aspects of adolescent risk screening in the primary care setting. To begin this investigation, an integrative review was completed to determine which adolescent risk screening instruments are available for use in the primary care setting. Next, an integrative review was completed to evaluate the validity and reliability of a commonly used verbal screening instrument called HEEADSSS for use as an adolescent risk screen in the primary care setting. Lastly, a feasibility study was conducted to assess whether the Pediatric Symptom Checklist--Youth (PSC-Y) and the Issues Checklist (IC) administered via a computer tablet could be added to an adolescent office visit to complement the HEEADSSS interview. Provider and adolescent interest, acceptability and participation were examined. Additionally, screening outcomes and the level of agreement between HEEADSSS psychological interview and the PSC-Y and IC instruments were assessed

Software engineering

Today's software systems generally use obsolete technology, are not integrated properly with other software systems, and are difficult and costly to maintain. The discipline of reverse engineering is becoming prominent as organizations try to move their systems up to more modern and maintainable technology in a cost effective manner. The Johnson Space Center (JSC) created a significant set of tools to develop and maintain FORTRAN and C code during development of the space shuttle. This tool set forms the basis for an integrated environment to reengineer existing code into modern software engineering structures which are then easier and less costly to maintain and which allow a fairly straightforward translation into other target languages. The environment will support these structures and practices even in areas where the language definition and compilers do not enforce good software engineering. The knowledge and data captured using the reverse engineering tools is passed to standard forward engineering tools to redesign or perform major upgrades to software systems in a much more cost effective manner than using older technologies. The latest release of the environment was in Feb. 1992

Independent Orbiter Assessment (IOA): Analysis of the guidance, navigation, and control subsystem

The results of the Independent Orbiter Assessment (IOA) of the Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Critical Items List (CIL) is presented. The IOA approach features a top-down analysis of the hardware to determine failure modes, criticality, and potential critical items. To preserve independence, this analysis was accomplished without reliance upon the results contained within the NASA FMEA/CIL documentation. The independent analysis results corresponding to the Orbiter Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Subsystem hardware are documented. The function of the GNC hardware is to respond to guidance, navigation, and control software commands to effect vehicle control and to provide sensor and controller data to GNC software. Some of the GNC hardware for which failure modes analysis was performed includes: hand controllers; Rudder Pedal Transducer Assembly (RPTA); Speed Brake Thrust Controller (SBTC); Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU); Star Tracker (ST); Crew Optical Alignment Site (COAS); Air Data Transducer Assembly (ADTA); Rate Gyro Assemblies; Accelerometer Assembly (AA); Aerosurface Servo Amplifier (ASA); and Ascent Thrust Vector Control (ATVC). The IOA analysis process utilized available GNC hardware drawings, workbooks, specifications, schematics, and systems briefs for defining hardware assemblies, components, and circuits. Each hardware item was evaluated and analyzed for possible failure modes and effects. Criticality was assigned based upon the severity of the effect for each failure mode

Integration of Assertive Community Treatment into a Residency Curriculum: The Resident\u27s Perspective

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is a service delivery system designed to provide long-term quality care to patients with chronic mental illnesses. A brief description of these programs is presented. These programs can provide valuable training experiences for psychiatric residents. The authors report the results of their survey of residents whose training included a rotation through these services

Clemson Libraries Inclusive Description Task Force Report

This report summarizes the findings of the Inclusive Description Task Force presented to the Libraries administration in December 2022. It serves as the final deliverable of the Task Force that outlines the research completed from July to December, presents recommendations on how Clemson Libraries can systemically implement inclusive description practices across all descriptive records, and lists the next steps and prioritized tasks to complete