Marriage Expectations

Media or fictional marriages may have an effect on our high divorce rate because it sets people up for false expectations.(Segrin, 2002) Unmarried college students are known to have perfect fantasies built in their heads and for most of them marriage is likely to happen in the next 5 to 10 years if not sooner. (Larson, 1988) Hypothesis: It is expected that those not in a relationship will have higher expectations for marriage than those that are in a relationship. Also participants that receive a media couple to discuss will have higher expectations

Multiple Methods for Assessing the Sustainability of Shallow Subarctic Ponds in Churchill Region: Hudson Bay Lowland, Canada

This thesis examines the occurrence of hydrologic variability in subarctic ponds within the Churchill region of the Hudson Bay Lowland (HBL) and investigates the utility of using remote sensing studies to characterize changes in pond surface area. The thesis also characterizes hydro-climatic change over the past ~60 years, and compares this to pond sustainability within the region of Churchill. A multiple-methods approach incorporating field research, simple water balance modeling and remote sensing is used to address these objectives. Research findings demonstrate the occurrence of natural fluctuations in pond surface area and water levels in the Canadian subarctic. These fluctuations in pond water levels (and thus surface area) are caused by differences in antecedent hydrologic conditions, which are easily detected using remotely sensed imagery and may produce unrepresentative estimates of pond surface area change. Resulting from a 4.5 - 11.8 cm variation in water depth, pond surface areas were significantly altered by antecedent precipitation (average: 3,711 m²), intra-seasonal variability (average: 2,049 m²) and inter-annual climatic variations (average: 1,977 m²). These noteworthy pond boundary and water level differences reinforce the importance of accounting for hydrologic variability when delineating representative pond coverage and sustainability. Contemporary pond sustainability findings reveal significant regional climatic change, changing pond hydrologic conditions and overall pond physical stability between 1947 and 2008. Specifically, the Churchill region has become warmer and wetter. Occurring at a rate of 1.37 mm/yr over the study period, changing atmospheric conditions caused a decrease in open water pond hydrologic deficits. During the hydrologic recharge period, modeled pond water levels exhibited an increasing trend (August +0.72 mm/yr, September 0.51 mm/yr), which suggests ponds are filling closer to their maximum storage capacity prior to freeze-up. A remote sensing analysis of pond boundary modifications in mid-summer revealed no change in contemporary physical pond sustainability. Detected surface area changes from imagery were mainly attributed to naturally induced hydrologic variability. Overall, this thesis suggests a new methodological approach for conducting remote sensing pond sustainability research within the arctic/subarctic environment. As well, this study determined pond sustainability within the Churchill region over the last ~60 years

Switchgrass (\u3ci\u3ePanicum virgatum\u3c/i\u3e L.) polyubiquitin gene (\u3ci\u3ePvUbi1\u3c/i\u3e and \u3ci\u3ePvUbi2\u3c/i\u3e) promoters for use in plant transformation

Abstract Background The ubiquitin protein is present in all eukaryotic cells and promoters from ubiquitin genes are good candidates to regulate the constitutive expression of transgenes in plants. Therefore, two switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) ubiquitin genes (PvUbi1 and PvUbi2) were cloned and characterized. Reporter constructs were produced containing the isolated 5\u27 upstream regulatory regions of the coding sequences (i.e. PvUbi1 and PvUbi2 promoters) fused to the uidA coding region (GUS) and tested for transient and stable expression in a variety of plant species and tissues. Results PvUbi1 consists of 607 bp containing cis-acting regulatory elements, a 5\u27 untranslated region (UTR) containing a 93 bp non-coding exon and a 1291 bp intron, and a 918 bp open reading frame (ORF) that encodes four tandem, head -to-tail ubiquitin monomer repeats followed by a 191 bp 3\u27 UTR. PvUbi2 consists of 692 bp containing cis-acting regulatory elements, a 5\u27 UTR containing a 97 bp non-coding exon and a 1072 bp intron, a 1146 bp ORF that encodes five tandem ubiquitin monomer repeats and a 183 bp 3\u27 UTR. PvUbi1 and PvUbi2 were expressed in all examined switchgrass tissues as measured by qRT-PCR. Using biolistic bombardment, PvUbi1 and PvUbi2 promoters showed strong expression in switchgrass and rice callus, equaling or surpassing the expression levels of the CaMV 35S, 2x35S, ZmUbi1, and OsAct1 promoters. GUS staining following stable transformation in rice demonstrated that the PvUbi1 and PvUbi2 promoters drove expression in all examined tissues. When stably transformed into tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), the PvUbi2+3 and PvUbi2+9 promoter fusion variants showed expression in vascular and reproductive tissues. Conclusions The PvUbi1 and PvUbi2 promoters drive expression in switchgrass, rice and tobacco and are strong constitutive promoter candidates that will be useful in genetic transformation of monocots and dicots

The Vehicle, Fall 1984

Vol. 26, No. 1 Table of Contents Thoughts on I-57Jim Caldwellpage 3 A Night Between Lonely and BlindJennifer K. Soulepage 4 What is Unnatural is Sometimes MagicAngelique Jenningspage 4 Cutting ClosenessBecky Lawsonpage 5 PhotoBrian Ormistonpage 6 The Sensuality of Corn One Week in AugustMichelle Mitchellpage 7 American MusicJim Caldwellpage 7 Water is WaitingMichael Kuopage 8 WhereJennifer K. Soulepage 8 The Fishing HoleJan Kowalskipage 9 Miller\u27s PondSue Gradypage 9 PhotoCathy Stonerpage 11 Young Man Reading To His LoverMaggie Kennedypage 11 ShellsChristopher R. Albinpage 12 In The ShadeJohn Fehrmannpage 12 FallLynanne Feilenpage 13 IndecisionDave L. Brydenpage 13 Dark Falls SoftlyAngelique Jenningspage 14 Not a Parked \u2757 Chevy in the Summer in the CountryMichelle Mitchellpage 20 BirdAnnie Heisepage 20 Clouds Created Only For Poets And Certain WomenJennifer K. Soulepage 21 SandGraham Lewispage 22 PhotoFred Zwickypage 23 Judgment CallCathy Moepage 23 I was hip that night Dan Hintzpage 24 A Sight Of WindDan Von Holtenpage 25 Tillard Isabel M. Parrottpage 26 The WidowMaggie Kennedypage 27 The SeparationMichelle Mitchellpage 27 The Garden Hose TrialMaggie Kennedypage 28 InterruptionsJennifer K. Soulepage 28 On Happening Across Jesus While Cleaning the BasementMaggie Kennedypage 29 GileonMichelle Mitchellpage 30 If My Father Were A Writer, He Would Still BuildAngelique Jenningspage 36 A Visit to Grandpa Gib\u27s HouseTammy Veachpage 37 For Having SeenAngelique Jenningspage 38 PhotoJudy Klancicpage 39 The Earth in BlueSusan J. Bielskypage 39 Things I Could Have SaidAngelique Jenningspage 40 AcrosticsAnnie Heisepage 40https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1044/thumbnail.jp

The Vehicle, Fall 1984

Vol. 26, No. 1 Table of Contents Thoughts on I-57Jim Caldwellpage 3 A Night Between Lonely and BlindJennifer K. Soulepage 4 What is Unnatural is Sometimes MagicAngelique Jenningspage 4 Cutting ClosenessBecky Lawsonpage 5 PhotoBrian Ormistonpage 6 The Sensuality of Corn One Week in AugustMichelle Mitchellpage 7 American MusicJim Caldwellpage 7 Water is WaitingMichael Kuopage 8 WhereJennifer K. Soulepage 8 The Fishing HoleJan Kowalskipage 9 Miller\u27s PondSue Gradypage 9 PhotoCathy Stonerpage 11 Young Man Reading To His LoverMaggie Kennedypage 11 ShellsChristopher R. Albinpage 12 In The ShadeJohn Fehrmannpage 12 FallLynanne Feilenpage 13 IndecisionDave L. Brydenpage 13 Dark Falls SoftlyAngelique Jenningspage 14 Not a Parked \u2757 Chevy in the Summer in the CountryMichelle Mitchellpage 20 BirdAnnie Heisepage 20 Clouds Created Only For Poets And Certain WomenJennifer K. Soulepage 21 SandGraham Lewispage 22 PhotoFred Zwickypage 23 Judgment CallCathy Moepage 23 I was hip that night Dan Hintzpage 24 A Sight Of WindDan Von Holtenpage 25 Tillard Isabel M. Parrottpage 26 The WidowMaggie Kennedypage 27 The SeparationMichelle Mitchellpage 27 The Garden Hose TrialMaggie Kennedypage 28 InterruptionsJennifer K. Soulepage 28 On Happening Across Jesus While Cleaning the BasementMaggie Kennedypage 29 GileonMichelle Mitchellpage 30 If My Father Were A Writer, He Would Still BuildAngelique Jenningspage 36 A Visit to Grandpa Gib\u27s HouseTammy Veachpage 37 For Having SeenAngelique Jenningspage 38 PhotoJudy Klancicpage 39 The Earth in BlueSusan J. Bielskypage 39 Things I Could Have SaidAngelique Jenningspage 40 AcrosticsAnnie Heisepage 40https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1044/thumbnail.jp

Effectiveness and Cost-effectiveness of Opportunistic Screening and Stepped-care Interventions for Older Alcohol Users in Primary Care

Aims: To compare the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a stepped-care intervention versus a minimal intervention for the treatment of older hazardous alcohol users in primary care. Method: Multi-centre, pragmatic RCT, set in Primary Care in UK. Patients aged ? 55 years scoring ? 8 on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test were allocated either to 5-min of brief advice or to ‘Stepped Care’: an initial 20-min of behavioural change counselling, with Step 2 being three sessions of Motivational Enhancement Therapy and Step 3 referral to local alcohol services (progression between each Step being determined by outcomes 1 month after each Step). Outcome measures included average drinks per day, AUDIT-C, alcohol-related problems using the Drinking Problems Index, health-related quality of life using the Short Form 12, costs measured from a NHS/Personal Social Care perspective and estimated health gains in quality adjusted life-years measured assessed EQ-5D. Results: Both groups reduced alcohol consumption at 12 months but the difference between groups was small and not significant. No significant differences were observed between the groups on secondary outcomes. In economic terms stepped care was less costly and more effective than the minimal intervention. Conclusions: Stepped care does not confer an advantage over a minimal intervention in terms of reduction in alcohol use for older hazardous alcohol users in primary care. However, stepped care has a greater probability of being more cost-effective. Trial Registration: Current controlled trials ISRCTN52557360. Short summary: A stepped care approach was compared with brief intervention for older at-risk drinkers attending primary care. While consumption reduced in both groups over 12 months there was no significant difference between the groups. An economic analysis indicated the stepped care which had a greater probability of being more cost-effective than brief intervention

Rare variant analyses validate known ALS genes in a multi-ethnic population and identifies ANTXR2 as a candidate in PLS

BackgroundAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease affecting over 300,000 people worldwide. It is characterized by the progressive decline of the nervous system that leads to the weakening of muscles which impacts physical function. Approximately, 15% of individuals diagnosed with ALS have a known genetic variant that contributes to their disease. As therapies that slow or prevent symptoms continue to develop, such as antisense oligonucleotides, it is important to discover novel genes that could be targets for treatment. Additionally, as cohorts continue to grow, performing analyses in ALS subtypes, such as primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), becomes possible due to an increase in power. These analyses could highlight novel pathways in disease manifestation.MethodsBuilding on our previous discoveries using rare variant association analyses, we conducted rare variant burden testing on a substantially larger multi-ethnic cohort of 6,970 ALS patients, 166 PLS patients, and 22,524 controls. We used intolerant domain percentiles based on sub-region Residual Variation Intolerance Score (subRVIS) that have been described previously in conjunction with gene based collapsing approaches to conduct burden testing to identify genes that associate with ALS and PLS.ResultsA gene based collapsing model showed significant associations with SOD1, TARDBP, and TBK1 (OR = 19.18, p = 3.67 × 10–39; OR = 4.73, p = 2 × 10–10; OR = 2.3, p = 7.49 × 10–9, respectively). These genes have been previously associated with ALS. Additionally, a significant novel control enriched gene, ALKBH3 (p = 4.88 × 10–7), was protective for ALS in this model. An intolerant domain-based collapsing model showed a significant improvement in identifying regions in TARDBP that associated with ALS (OR = 10.08, p = 3.62 × 10–16). Our PLS protein truncating variant collapsing analysis demonstrated significant case enrichment in ANTXR2 (p = 8.38 × 10–6).ConclusionsIn a large multi-ethnic cohort of 6,970 ALS patients, collapsing analyses validated known ALS genes and identified a novel potentially protective gene, ALKBH3. A first-ever analysis in 166 patients with PLS found a candidate association with loss-of-function mutations in ANTXR2

NF90 selectively represses the translation of target mRNAs bearing an AU-rich signature motif

The RNA-binding protein nuclear factor 90 (NF90) has been implicated in the stabilization, transport and translational control of several target mRNAs. However, a systematic analysis of NF90 target mRNAs has not been performed. Here, we use ribonucleoprotein immunoprecipitation analysis to identify a large subset of NF90-associated mRNAs. Comparison of the 3′-untranslated regions (UTRs) of these mRNAs led to the elucidation of a 25- to 30-nucleotide, RNA signature motif rich in adenines and uracils. Insertion of the AU-rich NF90 motif (‘NF90m’) in the 3′UTR of an EGFP heterologous reporter did not affect the steady-state level of the chimeric EGFP-NF90m mRNA or its cytosolic abundance. Instead, the translation of EGFP-NF90m mRNA was specifically repressed in an NF90-dependent manner, as determined by analysing nascent EGFP translation, the distribution of chimeric mRNAs on polysome gradients and the steady-state levels of expressed EGFP protein. The interaction of endogenous NF90 with target mRNAs was validated after testing both endogenous mRNAs and recombinant biotinylated transcripts containing NF90 motif hits. Further analysis showed that the stability of endogenous NF90 target mRNAs was not significantly influenced by NF90 abundance, while their translation increased when NF90 levels were reduced. In summary, we have identified an AU-rich RNA motif present in NF90 target mRNAs and have obtained evidence that NF90 represses the translation of this subset of mRNAs

A systematic review of longitudinal studies on the association between depression and smoking in adolescents

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>It is well-established that smoking and depression are associated in adolescents, but the temporal ordering of the association is subject to debate.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Longitudinal studies in English language which reported the onset of smoking on depression in non clinical populations (age 13-19) published between January 1990 and July 2008 were selected from PubMed, OVID, and PsychInfo databases. Study characteristics were extracted. Meta-analytic pooling procedures with random effects were used.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Fifteen studies were retained for analysis. The pooled estimate for smoking predicting depression in 6 studies was 1.73 (95% CI: 1.32, 2.40; p < 0.001). The pooled estimate for depression predicting smoking in 12 studies was 1.41 (95% CI: 1.21, 1.63; p < 0.001). Studies that used clinical measures of depression were more likely to report a bidirectional effect, with a stronger effect of depression predicting smoking.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Evidence from longitudinal studies suggests that the association between smoking and depression is bidirectional. To better estimate these effects, future research should consider the potential utility of: (a) shorter intervals between surveys with longer follow-up time, (b) more accurate measurement of depression, and (c) adequate control of confounding.</p