RNA Interference as a Tool for the Functional Analysis of Genes in the Colorado Potato Beetle, \u3ci\u3eLeptinotarsa decemlineata\u3c/i\u3e (Say)

RNA interference (RNAi) is a naturally occurring phenomenon in eukaryotes in which a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) suppresses the expression of a target gene. RNAi has markedly changed the way in which functional genetics studies are performed, especially in non-model organisms. In insects, the efficacy of RNAi is influenced by several factors, including the species and the methods of dsRNAs delivery. The Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), is a pest of the plant family Solanaceae. RNAi in the CPB is of interest for potential use in insect management and as a tool to study the interaction with host plants. The efficacy of different methods of dsRNA delivery for the functional analysis of genes in the CPB was evaluated. As a proof of concept, the Laccase2 gene, which is responsible for pigmentation and sclerotization in beetles, was targeted for knockdown. The potential for systemic RNAi was evaluated for several dsRNA delivery methods. Results indicated that the potential for systemic and persistent RNAi exists for each of the methods evaluated here. A slight phenotypic effect of Laccase2 knockdown was observed in larvae fed dsRNAs on artificial diet, and a stronger phenotypic effect was exhibited by larval microinjection of dsRNAs. Additionally, qRT-PCR indicated RNAi knockdown by microinjection of embryos. To gain an understanding of how RNAi genes respond to dsRNA, gene expression in response to dsRNA challenge was assessed using Illumina high throughput sequencing. Core RNAi genes were not differentially expressed following dsRNA challenge, although a handful of genes involved in the RNAi pathway were found to be upregulated. Establishing dsRNA delivery methods for RNAi is a useful tool for studying insect-plant interactions in this system. Additionally, this research provides a glimpse into the RNAi pathway of the CPB, which can contribute to our understanding of RNAi variability among different insect species, and identify genes that are likely to respond to selection pressure if RNAi is employed for insect management. Advisor: Nicholas J. Mille

Systems of Erasure: An Archival Analysis of Gentrification in Hudson, N.Y.

Past analyses of gentrification have largely examined the phenomenon along the consumption-production theory binary; the former contending that the middle-class consumer is to blame for initiating the process, the latter illuminating the contributions of larger political entities. This oversimplifies the complex process of gentrification, boiling its causal factors down to a singular class, policy, event, or point in time. This tendency to homogenize the root cause of gentrification gives a narrow understanding of a city’s history and largely ignores the overarching, systemic patterns of class and race-based oppression that have played into a city’s development over time. Furthermore, colonizers and gentrifiers alike have claimed that city investments are intended to benefit the community at large, but these same efforts often work against the needs of, and often displace, local community members. Hudson, NY proves useful as a case study to test the hypothesis that the disproportionate means of betterment that gentrification has historically allowed for is largely a result of the gatekeeping of capital that was initiated by the region’s colonizers. This hypothesis is assessed through the analysis of various means of financial and social betterment - property ownership, public safety, and public services - that we born during Hudson’s colonization in the fifteen and sixteenth centuries. The strength and persistence of these colonial legacies will be evaluated through the comparison of various bodies of legislation and institutions that have been actively functioning during Hudson’s more recent period of gentrification - beginning around 1960 and lasting until current day. This study ultimately reveals that the degree to which one possesses the “correct” means of social and financial capital, as determined by Hudson’s colonizers, severely affects the extent to which one has access to property ownership, public services, and protection by public safety measures today, which together guarantee one’s chances for individual betterment and improvement

Examining Differences in Stress Symptoms Based on Sexual Orientation

The present study examined stress symptoms in relation to self-identified sexual orientation and identity-related constructs among gays and lesbians. Multiple identity constructs have played a significant role in determining anxiety levels in ethnic minorities but have not been examined among gays and lesbians. Secondary data analysis was conducted on a sample of participants who completed an online survey Study of Attitudes about Sexual Orientation. Results indicated homosexuals reported higher levels of public and self-stigma and lower public regard than heterosexuals. Additionally, higher self-stigma and lower private regard about sexual orientation were related to increased stress. Finally, gays and lesbians reported lower private regard and increased self-stigma in relation to public regard and stigma. Findings highlight that public perceptions about sexual orientation impact self-views, and that self-views relate to increased stress. Interventions should aim to reduce negative public regard about homosexualityand the impact of public views on the self

The Framework for 21st Century Learning: A First-rate Foundation for Music Education Assessment and Teacher Evaluation

Federal laws and funding initiatives, such as the No Child Left Behind Act and the Race to the Top campaign, have created an increasing incentive for schools nationwide to document student progress, standardize assessment practices, and evaluate teachers according to student success. In response, the Common Core State Standards, a popular yet controversial policy, has emerged. Implemented at the state level, these standards focus heavily on the areas of English language arts and mathematics, subjects not traditionally incorporated to a great extent in music classrooms. In order for music to maintain a role as an essential subject in the school curriculum, it is imperative that music educators be able to associate themselves with a complementary initiative that allows them to demonstrate how students are meeting benchmarks required at the state and national levels without sacrificing the integrity of music instruction itself. Of the existing models available, the Framework for 21st Century Learning provides the most appropriate structure for determining music teacher effectiveness and for organizing learning objectives that can be assessed to show student growth in music education classrooms

EHR Quality Documentation Research Thesis

This research proposal contains and introduction to my proposed research, background of the issue at hand, purpose of the research, significance of the research, research questions that I will be asking, definition of terms, limitations that I may be facing, literature review, SWOT Analysis, and Work Flow diagram on literature review. Also discussed are my proposed research methodology, research design, population sample, data collection procedures, as well as a table of survey variables that I propose to include. This proposal will go over why documentation quality and quantity is so important and the history behind why we are facing a documentation crisis. I am proposing to be able to conduct my research to see how the documentation quality and quantity has improved, or declined since the implementation of EHRs and voice recognition systems across the North Eastern Pennsylvania Region

The Framework for 21st Century Learning: A First-rate Foundation for Music Education Assessment and Teacher Evaluation

Federal laws and funding initiatives, such as the No Child Left Behind Act and the Race to the Top campaign, have created an increasing incentive for schools nationwide to document student progress, standardize assessment practices, and evaluate teachers according to student success. In response, the Common Core State Standards, a popular yet controversial policy, has emerged. Implemented at the state level, these standards focus heavily on the areas of English language arts and mathematics, subjects not traditionally incorporated to a great extent in music classrooms. In order for music to maintain a role as an essential subject in the school curriculum, it is imperative that music educators be able to associate themselves with a complementary initiative that allows them to demonstrate how students are meeting benchmarks required at the state and national levels without sacrificing the integrity of music instruction itself. Of the existing models available, the Framework for 21st Century Learning provides the most appropriate structure for determining music teacher effectiveness and for organizing learning objectives that can be assessed to show student growth in music education classrooms

Effect of Grain Sorghum Polyphenols on Fecal Fermentation

Obesity is an increasing epidemic which during 2015-2016 afflicted 39.8% of adults and 18.5% of youth in the United States. Not only can obesity affect quality of life, but it can lead to life-threatening diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers. Animal and human research have demonstrated a pattern of gut microbiota perturbation in overweight and obesity, characterized by a reduction of beneficial bacterial species and increase in harmful species. Diet has been established as a contributing factor in gut ecology, and foods including fiber, resistant starch, and polyphenols have been found to both enhance desirable species and inhibit pathogens. Short chain fatty acids (SCFA), the products of microbial fermentation of carbohydrates, have also been implicated in body weight maintenance. Sorghum is the world’s fifth leading crop and highly undervalued in the US as a source of nutrition. The diversity and abundance of polyphenols in sorghum bran has been identified, however limited information is available on the effects of sorghum polyphenols on gut microbiota. We hypothesized that polyphenolic extracts of black and sumac sorghum brans would impact production of SCFA, alter composition of human fecal microbiota in favor of beneficial species, and improve the overall microbiota profile of overweight/obese individuals. The objectives of this study were to determine the contents of polyphenolic compounds in sorghum bran and to evaluate the change of gut microbiota composition and the effect on SCFA production in response to sorghum bran polyphenols in normal weight (NW) and overweight/obese (O/O) subjects. Black and suman sorghum brans displayed individually unique polyphenol profiles. Total SCFA production tended to be higher in the NW group, while butyrate production from FOS tended to be higher in the O/O group. Sorghum bran phenolic extracts modulated the gut microbiota and stimulated Prevotella and the butyrate-producing bacteria Roseburia. They also worked synergistically with FOS to enhance Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Varying responses to sorghum polyphenols were seen between bacteria in NW and O/O. Our results support gut health-enhancing actions of sorghum polyphenols, some of which may depend on body weight status

Why Gender Matters: A Partial Test of Travis Hirschi\u27s Element of Attachment

Recent studies have demonstrated the important role gender plays in determining the likelihood of involvement in delinquent behavior. Earlier theories of delinquency, including Hirschi’s theory of social control have ignored the importance of gender by ignoring females all together. Using data derived from Wave 1 of the National Youth Survey, the purpose of this study is to conduct a partial test of Hirschi’s Social Control theory to determine whether the theory can properly explain not only delinquency in boys, but also delinquency among girls