WHAT YOU DO OR WHAT YOU SAY? AN EXAMINATION OF ANALYST REACTIONS TO PROTOTYPICAL AND NON-PROTOTYPICAL CEOS LINGUISTIC AND COMPETITIVE BEHAVIORS

Non-prototypical CEOs are those that process different demographic characteristics from a target reference group. In the US, a non-prototypical CEO is both white and male. While the negative responses to non-prototypical leaders based on race and gender have been well documented, we know less on what these leaders do that may influence biased evaluations. In this dissertation I took an impression management view to examine analysts’ evaluative bias (AEB) on prototypical and non-prototypical CEOs hiding linguistic behaviors and competitive aggressiveness. Specifically, I examined hiding linguistic behaviors on quarterly conference calls and two attributes of competitive repertoire will be researched. Drawing from leadership categorization theory, competitive dynamics: competitive volume and competitive complexity. Using a matched sample of Fortune 500 CEOs from 2006-2012 of quarterly conference calls and RavenPack action data I found support for difference in who exhibits hiding linguistic behavior and how non-prototypical CEOs are evaluated differently based on their competitive aggressive. This research seeks to take an impression management look at how non-prototypical leaders are evaluated and narrow the gap between how CEOs operate versus what they say to third party evaluators

THE EFFECTS OF 4-NONYLPHENOL ON THE IMMUNE RESPONSE OF THE PACIFIC OYSTER, CRASSOSTREA GIGAS, FOLLOWING BACTERIAL INFECTION (VIBRIO CAMPBELLII)

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are compounds that can interfere with hormone signaling pathways and are now recognized as pervasive in estuarine and marine waters. One prevalent EDC in California’s coastal waters is the xenoestrogen 4-nonylphenol (4-NP), which has been shown to impair reproduction, development, growth, and in some cases immune function of marine invertebrates. To further investigate effects of 4-NP on marine invertebrate immune function we measured total hemocyte counts (THC), relative transcript abundance of immune-relevant genes, and lysozyme activity in Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) following bacterial infection. To quantify these effects we exposed oysters to dissolved phase 4-NP at high (100 μg l-1), low (2 μg l-1), or control (100 μl ethanol) concentrations for 7 days, and then experimentally infected (via injection into the adductor muscle) the oysters with the marine bacterium Vibrio campbellii. 4-NP significantly altered the effects of bacterial infection had on THC. Oysters exposed to both high and low 4-NP did not experience a bacteria-induced increase in THC, as seen in control oysters. We also determined that V. campbellii infection induced differential expression of a subset of immune-related genes tested (Cg-bigdef2, Cg-bpi1, Cg-lys1, Cg-timp) in some, but not all, tissues; 4-NP exposure altered expression patterns in two of these genes (Cg-bpi1 and Cg-tgase). Exposure to 4-NP alone also caused differential expression in some genes (Cg-bpi1, Cg-galectin1, Cg-clec2). Lastly, low levels of 4-NP significantly increased lysozyme activity 24 h post-infection. These results suggest that exposure to 4-NP can alter both cellular and humoral immune responses to bacterial infection in C. gigas

The Cranial Nerve Exam: Effectiveness of Peer-to-Peer Teaching and Experiential Learning in Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Students

This study sought to determine if speech-language pathology graduate students found peer-to-peer teaching and experiential learning beneficial in learning how to assess the cranial nerves. Graduate students in a motor speech disorders course completed an in-class cranial nerve examination in which they either portrayed clinicians or patients. Student groups utilized a reflective practice approach by teaching their peers how to assess the cranial nerves. Intensive practice sessions were offered almost daily for two weeks prior to the exam. Thirty-seven students completed an online survey about their knowledge and confidence in assessing cranial nerves and identifying diagnoses before starting the training for the exam; 36 participants completed the same survey post-exam training. Students reported feeling more confident and less anxious in evaluating the cranial nerves, assessing damages, and identifying diagnoses. This preliminary study indicates peer-to-peer teaching could be an effective strategy for learning how to evaluate cranial nerves

Research review: young people leaving care

This paper reviews the international research on young people leaving care. Set in the context of a social exclusion framework, it explores young people's accelerated and compressed transitions to adulthood, and discusses the development and classification of leaving care services in responding to their needs. It then considers the evidence from outcome studies and argues that adopting a resilience framework suggests that young people leaving care may fall into three groups: young people 'moving on', 'survivors' and 'victims'. In concluding, it argues that these three pathways are associated with the quality of care young people receive, their transitions from care and the support they receive after care

Determining a minimum detection threshold in terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis

Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis is a common technique used to characterize soil microbial diversity. The fidelity of this technique in accurately reporting diversity has not been thoroughly evaluated. Here we determine if rare fungal species can be reliably detected by T-RFLP analysis. Spores from three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal species were each mixed at a range of concentrations (1%, 10%, 50%, and 100%) with Glomus irregulare to establish a minimum detection threshold. T-RFLP analysis was capable of detecting diagnostic peaks of rare taxa at concentrations as low as 1%. The relative proportion of the target taxa in the sample and DNA concentration influenced peak detection reliability. However, low concentrations produced small, inconsistent electropherogram peaks contributing to difficulty in differentiating true peaks from signal noise. The results of this experiment suggest T-RFLP is a reproducible and high fidelity procedure, which requires careful data interpretation in order to accurately characterize sample diversity

Buoyancy regulation and aggregate formation in Amoebobacter purpureus from Mahoney lake

Abstract The meromictic Mahoney Lake (British Columbia, Canada) contains an extremely dense layer of purple sulfur bacteria (Amoebobacter purpureus). The buoyant density of Amoebobacter cells grown in pure culture at saturating light intensity was significantly higher (1027–1034 kg m−3) than the density of lake water (1015 kg m−3). When stationary cultures were shifted to the dark, the gas-vesicle content increased by a factor of 9 and buoyant density decreased to 1002 kg m−3 within three days. A novel mechanism of cell aggregation was detected for the Mahoney Lake strain. Dense cell aggregates were formed after depletion of sulfide. Formation of aggregates was correlated with an increase in cell surface hydrophobicity. Cell aggregates could be disintegrated within less than 1 s by addition of sulfide or various thiol compounds. Mercaptanes with a branched structure in the vicinity of the terminal thiol group, compounds with esterified thiol groups (methylmercaptanes), reducing compounds lacking thiol groups and detergents did not influence aggregate stability. Cell aggregates disintegrated upon addition of urea or of proteinase K. Addition of various sugars had no effect on aggregation; this points to the absence of lectins. The results indicate that cell-to-cell adhesion in A, purpureus ML1 is mainly caused by a hydrophobic effect and includes a specific mechanism possibly mediated by a surface protein. Extrapolation of laboratory results to field conditions demonstrated that both regulation of buoyant density and formation of cell aggregates result in passive accumulation of cells at the chemocline and contribute to the narrow stratification of A. purpureus in Mahoney Lake

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A 165 rescues steroids, inflammation and follicle arrest in High Androstenedione cows

A population of cows with excess androstenedione (A4; High A4) in follicular fluid, with follicular arrest, granulosa cell dysfunction, and a 17% reduction in calving rate was previously identified. We hypothesized that excess A4 in the ovarian microenvironment caused the follicular arrest in High A4 cows and that vascular endothelial growth factor A would rescue the High A4 phenotype. In trial 1, prior to culture, High A4 ovarian cortex (n=9) had greater numbers of early stage follicles (primordial) and fewer later-stage follicles compared to controls (n=11). Culture for 7 days did not relieve this follicular arrest; instead, High A4 ovarian cortex had increased indicators of inflammation, anti-Mullerian hormone, and A4 secretion compared to controls. In trial 2, we tested if vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) angiogenic (165) and antiangiogenic (VEGFA165b) isoforms could rescue the High A4 phenotype. High A4 (n=5) and control (n=5) ovarian cortex was cultured with (1) PBS, (2) VEGFA165 (50 ng/mL), (3) VEGFA165b (50 ng/mL), or (4) VEGFA165+VEGFA165b (50 ng/mL each) for 7 days. Follicular progression increased with VEGFA165 in High A4 cows with greater early primary, primary, and secondary follicles than controls. Similar to trial 1, High A4 ovarian cortex secreted greater concentrations of A4 and other steroids and had greater indicators of inflammation compared to controls. However, VEGFA165 rescued steroidogenesis, oxidative stress, and fibrosis. Both VEGFA isoforms reduced specific pro-inflammatory cytokines in High A4 cows to control levels. Thus, VEGFA165 may be a potential therapeutic to restore the ovarian steroidogenic microenvironment to promote folliculogenesis

Divergent amino acid and sphingolipid metabolism in patients with inherited neuro-retinal disease

OBJECTIVES: The non-essential amino acids serine, glycine, and alanine, as well as diverse sphingolipid species, are implicated in inherited neuro-retinal disorders and are metabolically linked by serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT), a key enzyme in membrane lipid biogenesis. To gain insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms linking these pathways to neuro-retinal diseases we compared patients diagnosed with two metabolically intertwined diseases: macular telangiectasia type II (MacTel), hereditary sensory autonomic neuropathy type 1 (HSAN1), or both. METHODS: We performed targeted metabolomic analyses of amino acids and broad sphingolipids in sera from a cohort of MacTel (205), HSAN1 (25) and Control (151) participants. RESULTS: MacTel patients exhibited broad alterations of amino acids, including changes in serine, glycine, alanine, glutamate, and branched-chain amino acids reminiscent of diabetes. MacTel patients had elevated 1-deoxysphingolipids but reduced levels of complex sphingolipids in circulation. A mouse model of retinopathy indicates dietary serine and glycine restriction can drive this depletion in complex sphingolipids. HSAN1 patients exhibited elevated serine, lower alanine, and a reduction in canonical ceramides and sphingomyelins compared to controls. Those patients diagnosed with both HSAN1 and MacTel showed the most significant decrease in circulating sphingomyelins. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight metabolic distinctions between MacTel and HSAN1, emphasize the importance of membrane lipids in the progression of MacTel, and suggest distinct therapeutic approaches for these two neurodegenerative diseases