A Study to Determine the Attitudes of Parents Toward Clarke Vocational Center Portsmouth, Virginia

The objectives of this research were: 1. To identify the positive attributes of Clarke Vocational Secondary Education Center; 2. To identify why parents enrolled their children at Clarke Vocational Secondary Education Cente

Examining Phage Infection Utilizing Mycobacterium Smegmatis

Bacteriophages, also known as phages, are viruses that are ubiquitous and survive and replicate within the host of the bacterial cell, Mycobacterium smegmatis. They are considered one of the most abundant organisms on earth (1031). Structurally, they are 100-200nm in size and consist of a protein encapsulated head that contains DNA or RNA, a tail sheath and tail fibers. This research consisted of examining phage infection, by re-isolating a novel phage, Tango. Tango was originally isolated genetically in 2013 by a previous ISBT student, Anna Maccarrone. The phage was sent to genetic sequencing but two phages were discovered, instead of one, in clusters B and C. The genetic annotation was not able to be analyzed due to phage mutation and impurity. During spring 2015, this phage was re-visited following laboratory protocol specific to this experiment as well as incorporating my own ideas with the goal of re-isolating, purifying and extracting the genetic material using DNASE I and RNASE A. Genetic material extraction would also include electrophoresis, as well as spectrophotometric studies and future DNA sequencing

Remote sensing and bio-geo-optical properties of turbid, productive inland waters: a case study of Lake Balaton

Algal blooms plague freshwaters across the globe, as increased nutrient loads lead to eutrophication of inland waters and the presence of potentially harmful cyanobacteria. In this context, remote sensing is a valuable approach to monitor water quality over broad temporal and spatial scales. However, there remain several challenges to the accurate retrieval of water quality parameters, and the research in this thesis investigates these in an optically complex lake (Lake Balaton, Hungary). This study found that bulk and specific inherent optical properties [(S)IOPs] showed significant spatial variability over the trophic gradient in Lake Balaton. The relationships between (S)IOPs and biogeochemical parameters differed from those reported in ocean and coastal waters due to the high proportion of particulate inorganic matter (PIM). Furthermore, wind-driven resuspension of mineral sediments attributed a high proportion of total attenuation to particulate scattering and increased the mean refractive index (n̅p) of the particle assemblage. Phytoplankton pigment concentrations [chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and phycocyanin (PC)] were also accurately retrieved from a times series of satellite data over Lake Balaton using semi-analytical algorithms. Conincident (S)IOP data allowed for investigation of the errors within these algorithms, indicating overestimation of phytoplankton absorption [aph(665)] and underestimation of the Chl-a specific absorption coefficient [a*ph(665)]. Finally, Chl-a concentrations were accurately retrieved in a multiscale remote sensing study using the Normalized Difference Chlorophyll Index (NDCI), indicating hyperspectral data is not necessary to retrieve accurate pigment concentrations but does capture the subtle heterogeneity of phytoplankton spatial distribution. The results of this thesis provide a positive outlook for the future of inland water remote sensing, particularly in light of contemporary satellite instruments with continued or improved radiometric, spectral, spatial and temporal coverage. Furthermore, the value of coincident (S)IOP data is highlighted and contributes towards the improvement of remote sensing pigment retrieval in optically complex waters

Molecular characterization of early osteochondrosis in prepubescent foals

Osteochondrosis (OC) is a major source of lameness in horses, involving abnormal maturation of cartilage during the first year of life. Previous studies have shown that cartilage canals may be associated with early OC lesions with accumulation of large numbers of small rounded chondrocytes surrounding the canals. Altered expression of paracrine factors, parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTH-rP) and Indian hedgehog (Ihh), as well as the additional factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), and matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), may play a role in the development of OC. The objective of this study was to elucidate the expression of Ihh, PTH-rP, VEGF, PDGF, and MMP-13 in cartilage of prepubescent foals to determine how this process becomes disrupted in early osteochondrosis prior to the onset of clinical signs. The hypothesis was that osteochondrosis develops as a result of increased expression of these regulatory molecules via cartilage canals during development, leading to failure of cells surrounding cartilage canals to mature and calcify. Cartilage was harvested from femoropatellar joints of foals ≤6 months old. Laser-capture microdissection was used to capture cells surrounding the cartilage canals and osteochondral junction. Equine-specific Ihh, PTH-rP, VEGF, PDGF-A, MMP-3, MMP-13 and 18S mRNA expression levels were evaluated by real-time qPCR. Whole cartilage RNA expression levels were also evaluated. Spatial tissue protein expression was determined by immunohistochemistry. There was significantly increased Ihh, MMP-3, and MMP-13 whole cartilage gene expression in early OC cartilage compared to normal controls. Protein expression of VEGF, PDGF-A, MMP-13, Ihh, and PTH-rP was mainly observed in the superficial and deep cartilage layers, as well as along the osteochondral junction and cartilage canals. In laser-captured samples, there was significantly increased MMP-13 and PDGF-A gene expression in chondrocytes adjacent to cartilage canals and increased PDGF-A gene expression in osteochondral junction chondrocytes of OCD-affected foals compared to controls. Increased Ihh, MMP-3, and MMP-13 gene expression in early OC whole cartilage provided stronger evidence for their association with OC, while significantly increased PDGF-A and MMP-13 gene expression surrounding OCD cartilage canals and increased PDGF-A gene expression at the osteochondral junction in this study suggests that pathways involving endochondral maturation and invasion of the ossification front are altered in early osteochondrosis

The endless quarantine: The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on healthcare workers after three months of mandatory social isolation in Argentina

Objectives: At the end of 2019 the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak spread around the globe with a late arrival to South America. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the long period of mandatory social isolation that took place in Argentina on the general psychological well-being of healthcare workers due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A survey was conducted during June 2020, in healthcare workers. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Insomnia Severity Index, Sleepiness-Wakefulness Inability and Fatigue Test, and Goldberg depression and anxiety scale, were used to analyze the effects of the SARS-Cov 2 outbreak after three months of mandatory social isolation. Analyses were performed by logistic regression and a clustering algorithm in order to classify subjects in the function of their outcome's severity.Results: From 1059 surveys, the majority reported symptoms of depression (81.0%), anxiety (76.5%), poor sleep quality (84.7%), and insomnia (73.7%) with 68.9% suffering from nightmares. Logistic regression showed that being in contact with COVID-19 patients, age, gender and the consumption of sleep medication during the mandatory social isolation were relevant predictors for insomnia, anxiety, and depression. Clustering analysis classified healthcare workers in three groups with healthy/mild, moderate, and severe outcomes. The most vulnerable group was composed mainly of younger people, female, non-medical staff, or physicians in training.Conclusion: An extremely high proportion of Argentinian healthcare workers suffered from sleep problems, anxiety, and depression symptoms. The clustering algorithm successfully separates vulnerable from non-vulnerable populations suggesting the need to carry out future studies involving resilience and vulnerability factors.Fil: Giardino, Daniela L.. Centro de Educaciones Médicas e Investigación Clínica "Norberto Quirno"; ArgentinaFil: Huck Iriart, Cristián. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Escuela de Ciencia y Tecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Riddick, Maximiliano Luis. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Cs.exactas. Centro de Matematica de la Plata.; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Garay, Arturo. Centro de Educaciones Médicas e Investigación Clínica "Norberto Quirno"; Argentin

A System for Harvesting Eggs from the Pink-Spotted Lady Beetle

We describe a system for harvesting eggs from a predatory insect, the pink-spotted lady beetle, Coleomegilla maculata De Geer (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Adult beetles placed in square, transparent containers that included oviposition substrates hanging from the top of the cage deposited eggs on the materials provided. We harvested eggs from these substrates in quantities sufficient for either destructive sampling or synchronous development of larvae. We evaluated effects of crowding inside cages; effects of a chemical attractant on oviposition behavior; egg cannibalism. Females preferred a textured surface rather than a smooth, waxy one for laying eggs. Crowding inhibited oviposition of beetles. Presence of a chemical attractant (methyl salicylate) did not significantly improve oviposition. This paper describes an inexpensive system for harvesting eggs from C. maculata. Refinement of this system should improve oviposition and reduce cannibalism

A System for Harvesting Eggs from the Pink-Spotted Lady Beetle

We describe a system for harvesting eggs from a predatory insect, the pink-spotted lady beetle, Coleomegilla maculata De Geer (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Adult beetles placed in square, transparent containers that included oviposition substrates hanging from the top of the cage deposited eggs on the materials provided. We harvested eggs from these substrates in quantities sufficient for either destructive sampling or synchronous development of larvae. We evaluated effects of crowding inside cages; effects of a chemical attractant on oviposition behavior; egg cannibalism. Females preferred a textured surface rather than a smooth, waxy one for laying eggs. Crowding inhibited oviposition of beetles. Presence of a chemical attractant (methyl salicylate) did not significantly improve oviposition. This paper describes an inexpensive system for harvesting eggs from C. maculata. Refinement of this system should improve oviposition and reduce cannibalism

Taurus Tunable Filter -- seven years of observing

The Taurus Tunable Filter (TTF) has now been in regular use for seven years on the Anglo-Australian Telescope. The instrument was also used for three years (1996--1999) on the William Herschel Telescope. We present a brief review of the different applications in order to illustrate the versatility of tunable filters in optical/IR spectrophotometric imaging. Tunable filters are now planned or are under development for 6-10m class telescopes which ensures their use for years to come.Comment: PASA, accepted. 20 pages, 9 figure

Pericellular activation of hepatocyte growth factor by the transmembrane serine proteases matriptase and hepsin, but not by the membrane-associated protease uPA

HGF (hepatocyte growth factor) is a pleiotropic cytokine homologous to the serine protease zymogen plasminogen that requires canonical proteolytic cleavage to gain functional activity. The activating proteases are key components of its regulation, but controversy surrounds their identity. Using quantitative analysis we found no evidence for activation by uPA (urokinase plasminogen activator), despite reports that this is a principal activator of pro-HGF. This was unaffected by a wide range of experimental conditions, including the use of various molecular forms of both HGF and uPA, and the presence of uPAR (uPA receptor) or heparin. In contrast the catalytic domains of the TTSPs (type-II transmembrane serine proteases) matriptase and hepsin were highly efficient activators (50% activation at 0.1 and 3.4 nM respectively), at least four orders of magnitude more efficient than uPA. PS-SCL (positional-scanning synthetic combinatorial peptide libraries) were used to identify consensus sequences for the TTSPs, which in the case of hepsin corresponded to the pro-HGF activation sequence, demonstrating a high specificity for this reaction. Both TTSPs were also found to be efficient activators at the cell surface. Activation of pro-HGF by PC3 prostate carcinoma cells was abolished by both protease inhibition and matriptase-targeting siRNA (small interfering RNA), and scattering of MDCK (Madin–Darby canine kidney) cells in the presence of pro-HGF was abolished by inhibition of matriptase. Hepsin-transfected HEK (human embryonic kidney)-293 cells also activated pro-HGF. These observations demonstrate that, in contrast with the uPA/uPAR system, the TTSPs matriptase and hepsin are direct pericellular activators of pro-HGF, and that together these proteins may form a pathway contributing to their involvement in pathological situations, including cancer

Reversal of social deficits by subchronic oxytocin in two autism mouse models

Social deficits are a hallmark feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related developmental syndromes. Although there is no standard treatment for social dysfunction, clinical studies have identified oxytocin as a potential therapeutic with prosocial efficacy. We have previously reported that peripheral oxytocin treatment can increase sociability and ameliorate repetitive stereotypy in adolescent mice from the C58/J model of ASD-like behavior. In the present study, we determined that prosocial oxytocin effects were not limited to the adolescent period, since C58/J mice, tested in adulthood, demonstrated significant social preference up to 2 weeks following subchronic oxytocin treatment. Oxytocin was also evaluated in adult mice with underexpression of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor NR1 subunit (encoded by Grin1), a genetic model of autism- and schizophrenia- like behavior. Subchronic oxytocin had striking prosocial efficacy in male Grin1 knockdown mice; in contrast, chronic regimens with clozapine (66 mg/kg/day) or risperidone (2 mg/kg/day) failed to reverse deficits in sociability. Neither the subchronic oxytocin regimen, nor chronic treatment with clozapine or risperidone, reversed impaired prepulse inhibition in the Grin1 knockdown mice. Overall, these studies demonstrate oxytocin can enhance sociability in mouse models with divergent genotypes and behavioral profiles, adding to the evidence that this neurohormone could have therapeutic prosocial efficacy across a spectrum of developmental disorders