DSpace Collection: Senior honors theses sponsored by the S. Daniel Abraham Honors Program of Stern College for Women
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12202/3988
Senior honors theses sponsored by the S. Daniel Abraham Honors Program of Stern College for Women2024-03-28T11:06:02ZPhosphorylation and expression level of nucleophosmin is regulated by SUMOylation in mouse spermatogenic cells
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12202/9184
Title: Phosphorylation and expression level of nucleophosmin is regulated by SUMOylation in mouse spermatogenic cells
Authors: Matveev, Shaina
Abstract: Infertility has long been viewed as a predominantly female condition, even though half of
infertility cases are attributed to the male partner. Despite this equal distribution of cases, the
current medical understanding of and treatment options for male infertility are deeply lacking
compared to that of females. This disparity not only causes there to be fewer options for treating
males, but it also often places the burden of treatment for infertile males on their female partners,
who may undergo procedures, such as assisted reproductive technology, and face its
complications, even when she herself is fertile. This research project, performed in the Vigodner
Lab, aims to help bridge this disparity and to contribute to the growing body of much-needed
research on male infertility. Because male infertility is a multifactorial condition, continued
research surrounding the key pathways involved in male infertility, such as the regulation of
spermatogenesis, is imperative in the development of effective treatment options for infertile
males. The Vigodner Lab’s research focuses on elucidating one means through which
spermatogenesis is regulated – through SUMOylation. SUMOylation is a type of
post-translational modification (PTM) in which a SUMO protein is bonded to a target protein in
order to modify its function. A growing body of research supports the presence of crosstalk
between SUMOylation and phosphorylation, a different type of PTM in which a phosphate group
is added to a protein in order to modify it. The presence of this crosstalk in spermatocytes was
previously studied in a 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis performed in the Vigodner Lab which
analyzed the phosphoproteome of spermatocytes before and after inhibition of SUMOylation
with GA. It identified several potential downstream targets of SUMOylation-dependent
phosphorylation, including nucleophosmin. This research project confirmed that nucleophosmin
is a downstream target of SUMOylation-dependent phosphorylation in mouse spermatocytes
through the use of western blotting in both cell lines and primary cells.
Description: Undergraduate honors thesis / Open Access2023-08-16T00:00:00ZThe Jewess in literature and media
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12202/9044
Title: The Jewess in literature and media
Authors: Ahdout, Ilana
Abstract: From The Merchant of Venice to Daniel Deronda and finally to Unorthodox, the literary
tradition of the Jewess has endured. She is virtuous, redeemable, capable of transcendence in
religion or the arts, and a positive contrast to her male counterparts. For a brief moment, in the
case of Mirah Lapidoth, she is steadfast to her faith. Ultimately, however, in the contemporary
character of Esty Shapiro, she conforms to the longstanding literary tradition before her. (from Conclusion).
Description: Undergraduate honors thesis / YU only2023-04-27T00:00:00ZIce recrystallization inhibition: Structure-activity studies of synthetic compounds
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12202/9043
Title: Ice recrystallization inhibition: Structure-activity studies of synthetic compounds
Authors: Aduculesi, Rebecca
Abstract: The preservation of frozen foods is an important and relevant issue in many countries. With
the mass amounts of food that is produced in the United States, a method that can efficiently store
this food over long periods of time is necessary, and thus freezing food in bulk quantities has
become popular. The ability to freeze food products is one of the best long-term solutions for
maintaining the shelf life of nutritious foods, and it is the only large-scale process that ensures
foods of varying seasons are available year-round (Hasani et al., 2022). It is estimated that the
market share of frozen foods will be USD 224.2 billion by 2025 (Hasani et al., 2022). However,
storing frozen foods for extended periods of time is detrimental to the food, specifically because
of ice recrystallization (IR), a natural process that occurs in ice crystals. When similarly sized ice
crystals are kept at a constant temperature, over time, larger crystals will grow while smaller
crystals will shrink, but the percentage of ice remains constant. The effects of IR are significant,
as it reduces the quality of frozen foods; when the crystals melt as the frozen food is defrosted,
there is a loss of nutrients, taste, and a reduction in the food’s ability to hold water (Gruneberg et
al., 2021). In addition, when large crystals form, it causes the frozen food to have a coarse, grainy
texture, which is apparent in foods such as ice cream. These negative effects are heightened during
the foods’ progression from manufacture to storage, as temperature of the food fluctuates
considerably. In addition, IR is detrimental to cellular-based foods that originate in plants and
animals because the larger crystals can rupture cell walls, which causes nutrients to be lost.
Antifreeze proteins (AFPs), antifreeze glycoproteins (AFGPs), and some synthetic compounds
inhibit ice growth and may act as a solution to the problem at hand. As such, AF(G)Ps and other
synthetic compounds were extensively studied in this project.
Description: Undergraduate honors thesis / 2-year embargo2023-04-27T00:00:00ZLeitmotifs in Hamilton: the Broadway musical
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12202/9041
Title: Leitmotifs in Hamilton: the Broadway musical
Authors: Zrihen, Emily
Abstract: Throughout Hamilton, the same melodies and accompaniments are constantly recycled,
and the way this is done gives the music a unique power in the show. Many of these repetitive
musical statements, seventeen of which were examined in this paper, are leitmotifs: musical
statements with apparent ties to a character, setting, or idea. As tunes reappear, they begin to
develop an association for the viewer. Further analysis of the apparent repetitions of a given
leitmotif, enables listeners to discover additional, more subtle and nuanced instances of
leitmotifs. These repetitions give music the power to subtly communicate what a given character
might be feeling, and connect character, concepts, and scenes in really meaningful ways .
¶
Take for example, the “Satisfied Accompaniment”. Alone, the accompaniment is nice
enough, but, once it becomes associated with Angelica and the concept of satisfaction, the
accompaniment is granted symbolic significance. The symbolic significance now allows the
listener to better understand Angelica’s feelings when she marries, corresponds with Hamilton,
or has to confront a disgraced Hamilton. This is just one of dozens of examples of Lin Manuel
Miranda’s brilliant use of music in Hamilton to add depth and dimension to the show. (from Conclusion)
Description: Undergraduate honors thesis / Open access2023-04-01T00:00:00Z