Effects Of Phytoecdysteroids On Skeletal Muscle Contractile Function And Protein Synthesis After Eccentric Muscle Damage

The objective of this study was to determine if 20-Hydroxyecdysone (20E) enhances recovery of maximal tetanic torque production and additively stimulates Akt/mTOR signaling after eccentric contractions (EC). Male mice were assigned to either the EC + placebo or EC + 20E group. In vivo isometric contractions were performed to obtain optimal electrode placement. In vivo torque frequency was assessed, 150 eccentric contractions were performed and in vivo torque frequency was administrated to assess torque production immediately post-injury to the anterior crural skeletal muscles. Upon completion of the protocols, the mice received an oral gavage of either 20E (50 mg/kg BW) in liquid diet or placebo. Mice were gavaged daily, on day 3 or 7, post-injury torque frequency was assessed and skeletal muscles were harvested and prepared for assessment of Akt/mTOR signaling via Western blot analysis. No significant differences in recovery of torque production within groups were observed at any time point or treatment. Furthermore, no significant differences were found in activation of Akt, 4E-BP1, or rpS6 intracellular signaling between treatments. These data suggest that 20E does not additively stimulate an increase of protein synthesis and enhance recovery of torque production after eccentric contraction injury

Characterization of the Meis2a Downstream Regulatory Element Dr-m2de1

We have identified four highly conserved noncoding elements associated with the vertebrate Meis2 gene and named them m2de1-4 (for Meis2 downstream element). Using the Tol2 system we have generated transgenic zebrafish in which the zebrafish element (dr-m2de1) has been seen to direct reporter transgene expression the mid and hindbrain of developing embryos.The m2de1 sequence was recently described by another group (Parker et al., 2011), however their data showed dissimilar expression from that of which we have observed. Upon examination of the sequences, we determined that our m2de1 sequence contains an additional 19bp on the 3’ end and an additional 17bp on the 5’. This suggests the possibility that their sequence does not represent the full-length element. In this study I found that that both the Parker paper element and m2de1 both drive broad expression patterns in mid and hindbrain, and that m2de1 also drove expression in the muscle fibers of developing zebrafish while 3288 and any other generated fragment of m2de1 did not. This would appear to suggest that both 3’ and 5’ basepairs not found in 3288 are both necessary for the enhancer to drive complete expression

Acceptance-Based Interventions For Direct Care Staff: An Assessment Of Need

Research suggests staff working with individuals with disabilities experience a significant amount of work-related stress. To combat this, organizations often employ stress reduction workshops. Research on such workshops has produced mixed findings. The current study had three objectives: (1) further explore relations between psychological flexibility, psychological distress, and job satisfaction among direct care staff, (2) determine the potential utility of a modified version of psychological flexibility specifically for direct care staff, and (3) extrapolate the potential utility of a stress management workshop for staff based on the processes within Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. For objective 1, a strong relation was found between psychological distress and both measures of psychological flexibility. Additionally, a small relation was found between job satisfaction and psychological flexibility and a moderate relation was found between job satisfaction and the direct care staff measure of psychological flexibility. For objective 2, evidence was shown that a potential utility does exist for a measure of psychological flexibility specifically designed around direct care staff. For objective 3, results showed a significant proportion of individuals working as direct care staff may be “at risk”, and thus, more likely to benefit from a stress management intervention based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Static Versus Mobile Architecture: A Comparison Of Solutions For Homelessness In Hawai’i

Within the context of modern sustainable development, there is a movement of human sustainability, which focuses on the value of human life and the problems that threaten that life. One problem found in Honolulu, Hawai’i is a large homeless population. Mobile architecture—understood in this case as single-family homes on non-permanent foundations—presents opportunities to draw distinct connections to the issues that cause this homelessness problem. Static tiny homes—understood here as single-family homes on permanent foundations with an area of 500 square feet or less—presents a different set of strengths when addressing the same problem. This analysis weighs the use and stability of static tiny homes against the cost and mobility of mobile tiny homes, concluding that static tiny homes better solve the issue of homelessness in Honolulu, Hawai’i

The mindful tutor : rhetorical listening in writing center work

This work explores the role rhetorical listening plays in writing center praxis. Currentscholarship on listening in writing center pedagogy has yet to examine this essentialtutoring practice. The author argues that Krista Ratcliffe’s rhetorical listening offers thetheoretical framework that will allow writing centers to fulfill their pedagogical goal ofempowering students. Exploring examples from his own tutoring experiences andpublished tutoring narratives, the author shows how Ratcliffe’s rhetorical listeningexpands tutoring praxis to better meet the needs of tutees. Rhetorical listening movestutors into a sense of awareness concerning the complex experiences each tutee bringsinto a session. Recognizing this complexity, tutors work from a perspective that focuseson student need rather than institutional concern

Adsorption of copper (II) by peanut hulls in a fixed-bed, continuous flow column

Heavy metal pollution is an important concern due to its adverse health and environmental effects. Biosorption is a way to remove heavy metals from aqueous systems with the use of biomaterials. There are many different types of biosorbents, such as algae, fungus, bacteria and lignocellulosic materials (wood, saw dust, peat, wheat bran, nut shells, etc.). Several studies have used peanut shells (hulls) as a heavy metal adsorption material. For instance, peanut hulls are an effective biomass for the removal of copper (II) from aqueous systems. However, these studies utilized equilibrium (batch) methods to quantify metal adsorption. These results are not comparable to an industrial setting, which utilizes a non-equilibrium flow system.The biosorption of copper(II) on unmodified and modified, high density, ground peanut hulls was investigated using equilibrium studies, kinetics studies, and dynamic adsorption studies. Adsorption models were applied to determine the adsorption capacity at equilibrium. A pseudo-second order rate law was applied to the kinetics data to determine the rate constant of adsorption. Dynamic sorption models were applied to the continuous flow studies to fit the experimental breakthrough curves.It was determined that the alkaline peroxide modified, high density hulls had the highest adsorption capacity, the fastest rate of adsorption, and latest breakthrough point. The alkaline modified hulls' adsorption capacity and breakthrough point are decreased from the alkaline peroxide modified hulls but perform better than the unmodified hulls. However, an improvement in the rate of adsorption was not seen in comparison to the unmodified hulls. The unmodified hulls had the lowest adsorption capacity and earliest breakthrough point. The best fitting model for the equilibrium data for all types of hulls was the Redlich-Peterson model. However, the Langmuir model was the most useful as it yielded results with physically meaningful parameters as well as the best estimation of the adsorption capacity. The four parameter Clark model was the best fitting dynamic adsorption model for each type of hulls, followed by the three parameter Clark, and finally the Thomas model. Although the four parameter Clark model resulted in the best fit, the model's parameters are empirical and are not physically meaningful. The Thomas model was the poorest fitting model tested.Although the four parameter Clark model successfully fit the breakthrough data for each type of hull, the empirical nature of the model is not useful for comparing to the equilibrium and kinetics data. However, the more physically meaningful Thomas model does not successfully relate the equilibrium and kinetics parameters to the dynamic flow behavior of the copper(II) /peanut hull adsorption system. There is a need for additional models to be tested and/or developed for these types of systems, as the models tested in this project were developed for other types of systems and applied to the biosorption of heavy metals with poor fit and predictive power

Effect of Leucine Supplementation on Indices of Muscle Damage and Recovery Following Eccentric-Based Resistance Exercise

In vitro, the amino acid leucine has been able to reduce proteolysis and be a potent stimulus for protein synthesis. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of leucine supplementation on indices of muscle damage and muscular function following eccentric-based resistance exercise. METHODS: Twenty-seven untrained individuals were randomly divided into 3 groups; leucine (L), placebo (P) and control (C). The L and P groups performed 100 depth jumps from 60 cm and 6 sets of 10 repetitions of eccentric-only leg presses. Either leucine (250 mg/kg bm) or placebo was ingested at 3 time points during exercise and each recovery day following exercise. Serum muscle damage markers and muscle function assessment were used to monitor recovery. RESULTS: No significant differences existed between experimental groups for the serum markers of damage. The L group was able to maintain peak force outputs during the muscle function tests CONCLUSIONS: Leucine supplementation may facilitate the recovery process. Leucine may need further examination, as it was unable to shown a between group difference compared to P but did minimize the change in muscle damage markers compared to PRE. Leucine supplementation minimized the decrement in muscle function and maintained force output when compared to a placebo

A feasibility study of two alternate proton radiation compensator designs for use in proton radiation therapy

The purpose of the current thesis was to conduct a feasibility study of alternate methods for creating proton range compensators. Currently, proton range compensators are made of solid materials, but an interest in creating a proton range compensator using fluid has arose in respect to a need for cost and time efficiency. The current process of making proton compensators is costly and time consuming. A fluid-based design is expected to allow doctors to quickly “dial up” a dose within a matter of minutes. The current study included the fabrication, and testing, of a fluid-based range compensator. The fluid-based design consisted of a block of acrylic with an array of holes. Each of the holes was plugged with an acrylic plunger. The plungers were depressed to a desired depth to achieve a specific dosimetric value. The testing sequence used in the current study included multiple compensator configurations that were used to compare the fluid-based design to the conventional solid design. Photon radiation was passed through each compensator and each compensator’s exposure image was compared. The results of the statistical analysis showed no significant similarities between the conventional compensator design and the fluid-based compensator design. Reflection of the current study discusses the potential for the fluid-based design to be used as an alternative method to achieve proton range compensation rather than a replacement for the conventional solid design

Experimental Analysis Of The House-Money Effect In A Public Goods Environment

Experiments in economics usually begin with an initial endowment to subjects. Essentially, subjects are given starting capital to be used in the games conducted by the experimenter. While this practice is necessary to conduct the experiment, it could potentially affect the decisions of the subjects as there is no risk of suffering any net monetary loss. This phenomenon is known as the house-money effect. Since the original discovery, the house-money effect has been studied in different contexts and settings. The results from these experiments have varied. This study serves as a robustness check on past research conducted on the house-money effect.The experiment was conducted with 69 student subjects in two treatment groups. Thirty-six subjects participated in the house treatment where subjects were credit money in their experimental accounts upon arrival at the public goods experiment (standard protocol in experimental economics). Thirty-three subjects participated in the advance treatment where subjects were given money prior to arriving at the public goods experiment. Additionally, subjects in each treatment participated in two sessions spread across three weeks. In conclusion, the study does not find strong statistical evidence of a house-money effect within the public goods environment

Abandoning Pretense: Oscar Wilde’s Engagement with Society

In this paper,the author seeks to explain why Wilde might have chosen to write, The Importance of Being Earnest, a comedy about the triviality of Victorian society only to reinforce its values by the play’s conclusion. Through establishing the cultural context in which Earnest was written, the paper emphasizes the conditional leniency that high society granted to the violators of its principles, insofar as the characters in the play are allowed to transgress social norms in private as long as they adhere to established social and legal boundaries in public. By examining the fictional relationships between Wilde’s characters and their society, the author seeks to explain Wilde’s insistence on abandoning social conventions only to reinforce them at the play’s conclusion