The Search for Values: Young Adults and the Literary Experience

published or submitted for publicatio

Harnessing the Potential of the Escherichia coli RpoS Phenotype via an Inducible Small RNA Regulatory Platform

Recent recognition of the pervasiveness of non-coding RNAs, in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems, has prompted metabolic engineers to reevaluate the role of RNAs in a traditionally protein dominated realm. More specifically, bacterial trans-encoded sRNAs have been implicated in the regulation of genes in several critical pathways from quorum sensing to stress responses. The task of responding to stressful conditions, as well as stationary phase, in a comprehensive manner falls to the Escherichia coli global stress regulator, RpoS. Genes transcribed by RpoS are involved in motility, biofilm formation and nutrient limitations. One of the challenges modulating RpoS control is its polymorphic nature. We think this can be addressed using an inducible sRNA regulatory platform. Recent studies have confirmed RpoS to be post-transcriptionally regulated by at least four sRNAs: three activators, DsrA, RprA and ArcZ, and one repressor OxyS. Each of these senses different stress conditions, allowing RpoS synthesis to increase or decrease in response to various stressors. This work investigates the potential of a genetically engineered interchangeable small RNA based gene regulation platform as a switch to affect the expression profiles and metabolic behavior of RpoS. RprA and OxyS were put under the control of an arabinose inducible promoter to test the ability to increase/decrease RpoS protein levels and subsequent changes in RpoS-dependent genes. We then assessed gene expression and phenotypic changes using RT-PCR, Western blotting, microarray and motility and biofilm assays. Positive modulation of RpoS using the pRprA platform resulted in a 2-fold decrease in motility in Top10 cells. This difference in motility improved biofilm formation levels up to 12-fold when compared to direct overexpression of RpoS protein. The positive effect of biofilm formation was further supported by the upregulation of other genes essential for biofilms. Conversely, negative modulation of RpoS using the pOxyS platform resulted in an increase in the transcription of the motility gene, flhD. Both systems were capable of positively and negatively regulating bacterial RpoS protective genes. The ability to deliberately and purposefully control RpoS protective genes, in conjunction with motility and biofilm formation, can potentially have broad impact on biotechnology applications

Some results on quasi-uniform spaces

An example of a quasi-uniform space which is complete but not strongly complete is constructed. We also give an example to show that a T1 space does not necessarily have a T1 strong completion. The definition of Cauchy filter is discussed. An alternate definition, referred to as C-filter, is considered. A construction of a C-completion is given and it is shown that if a quasi-pseudometric is complete, then the corresponding quasi-uniform structure is C-complete. Conjugate quasi-uniform spaces are discussed. A theorem relating a transitive base of a quasi-uniform structure to a transitive base of the conjugate structure is proved. The generation of the fine quasi-uniform structure is discussed. A general method for constructing compatible quasi-uniform structures is obtained. It is shown that the method can be applied to obtain a compatible non-transitive quasi-uniform structure as well as any compatible transitive quasi-uniform structure --Abstract, page iii

Efficacy of Dual Enrollment in Rural Southwest Virginia

The intent of this dissertation was to determine if enrollment into a career and technical education dual enrollment program encouraged students to continue their education into postsecondary education and if workplace readiness skills were increased. This study completed a factorial analysis of student demographic and factorial data as associated with the enrollment of career and technical education dual enrollment in rural, southwest Virginia. Specifically, the study explored secondary students (N = 221) currently enrolled during the academic school year 2008-2009 within a Virginia approved career and technical education dual enrollment course. These students attended one of four career and technical centers contained within the service area of a Virginia community college. Student surveys were used to determine opinions regarding career and technical education dual enrollment factors concerning enrollment motivation, social and financial concerns, and workplace readiness skill development. The study found the demographic description of a career and technical education student in rural, southwest Virginia to be almost evenly divided between male and female (there was a frequency difference of three), in the senior year with an average grade point average of 3.0-3.49, not receiving free or reduced lunch nor being a first-generation college student. Findings also revealed students felt they were treated as adults during their enrollment in demanding, high achieving courses with content pertaining to real-life goals. Analysis revealed four components labeled as (a) college/career awareness, (b) affordable challenging courses, (c) guidance assistance, and (d) student motivation that positively supported career and technical education dual enrollment programs were effective at increasing student participation to the postsecondary level. Finally, student awareness of Virginia\u27s 13 Workplace Readiness Skills was found to be accomplished through the enrollment into career and technical education dual enrollment courses. Students\u27 responses supported the issuance that all 13 Workplace Readiness Skills were recognized and developed during course enrollment. Each of the skills returned as factors leading to the establishment of three components labeled as (a) workplace skill development, (b) skill/education need, and (c) desire to attend college, which supported increased student awareness of workplace readiness skills as well as the need for continued education or training beyond high school necessary to be successful and productive in today\u27s workforce

The effects of anxiety management and study skills training on test anxiety in college students

This study measured the effects of anxiety management and study skills training on test anxiety in college students. Twenty-one college students from two sections of Introductory Sociology were involved in the study. The Test Anxiety Inventory (TAI) and exam scores were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the training. Pre-test, post-test, and delayed post-test measures were obtained. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated no significant difference on TAI scores or exam scores between the control and experimental groups. Recommendations for further research are given

Walking Percy\u27s tightrope : from alienation to affirmation

Walker Percy\u27s Binx Bolling, of The Moviegoer, and Will Barrett, of The Last Gentleman and The Second Coming, are two Southern existential seekers who move from alienation and despair to create lives of meaningful commitment with the promise of fulfillment. Because of their similarities, we can trace a development in Percy\u27s fiction which parallels the questor\u27s development. These three books move from a preoccupation with death-in-life to a discovery of self and on to individual and cultural rebirth. Thus, The Moviegoer (1960) is about alienation and despair; The Last Gentleman (1966) is about the possibility of human relationships, friendships that develop out of an awareness of despair; and The Second Coming (1980) is about love and the promise of renewal. For Percy, the key to this development lies in the act of naming, or symbolization : in the mystery of language and symbol lies the answer to man\u27s being and purpose

Walking Percy\u27s tightrope : from alienation to affirmation

Walker Percy\u27s Binx Bolling, of The Moviegoer, and Will Barrett, of The Last Gentleman and The Second Coming, are two Southern existential seekers who move from alienation and despair to create lives of meaningful commitment with the promise of fulfillment. Because of their similarities, we can trace a development in Percy\u27s fiction which parallels the questor\u27s development. These three books move from a preoccupation with death-in-life to a discovery of self and on to individual and cultural rebirth. Thus, The Moviegoer (1960) is about alienation and despair; The Last Gentleman (1966) is about the possibility of human relationships, friendships that develop out of an awareness of despair; and The Second Coming (1980) is about love and the promise of renewal. For Percy, the key to this development lies in the act of naming, or symbolization : in the mystery of language and symbol lies the answer to man\u27s being and purpose

The Information Edge - Library Newsletter - Fall 2009

The Birth Of The Birnbaum Library Collaborative Learning Room Mel isaacson Database Profile: Roper iPoll Sarah Burns- Feyl Google And The Future Of Libraries Eileen Gatti New Citation Style Books Published Hello My Name Is... Pace University Library Hour

The Information Edge - Library Newsletter - Spring 2008 Issue

Research Pro Noreen McGuire What\u27s In A Name? Elisabeth Birnbaum Facebook Library And Research Tools Book Review: The Big Oyster Eileen Gatti Theater At Pace Ellen Sowchek New Databases New Video Page On Library Website Pace University Library Hours Hello MY Name Is..