School Learning Gardens as Multicultural Hubs for Sustainability: PSU-PPS Food Systems Partnerships in Outer Southeast Portland

This presentation focuses on how garden-based learning can have a positive effect on children

Exploring personal development and implications for leadership

In leadership development, an established literature and a fertile praxis fall short of clarifying how individuals may develop the many and varied capabilities that contribute to leadership processes. Literature promoting personal growth tends to reduce personal development to cognitive development or rely on broadly defined and under-evidenced notions. The adult development literature offers to this research a conceptualization of personal development as systemic qualitative change in individual sensemaking. As sensemaking develops, it progresses toward greater integration (of interdependent cognitive, emotive, purposive, and conative dimensions), sophistication, and self-determination. The research aimed to examine how changes in the sensemaking of individuals may result in developmental outcomes relevant for personal and leadership development. This inquiry moves from a perspective idealist ontology and a social constructivist epistemology, selects philosophical hermeneutics as a research paradigm, and embraces exploratory qualitative longitudinal research. Purposive sampling guided the selection of research context, a leadership program focused on personal growth. Transcripts from 32 semi-structured constructivist-phenomenological interviews, collected from nine participants across fourteen months, were analyzed through constructivist grounded theory. Development was assessed ipsatively according to a literature-based framework. Contributions, in terms of substantive theory, are not generalizable beyond research context and sample. This research advances the differentiation of developmental context, process and outcomes. Context is found to transcend holding environment—to be ideally conducive to a specific type of change in virtue of a distinctive emerging quality. While vector processes facilitate development, core processes (individual sensemaking) are development. In terms of outcomes, the research supports an association between personal development and development of leadership capabilities, but questions whether self-awareness or personality adjustments per se constitute authentic personal or leadership development. This research exposes a pattern of seeking affirmation, associated with disproportionate identity salience of external image, which is potentially capable of hindering personal development by triggering maladaptive rather than adaptive self-reflection

DE-CODING THE IMPACT OF EVOLVED CHANGES IN GENE EXPRESSION AND CELLULAR PHENOTYPE ON PRIMATE EVOLUTION

The goal of the dissertation work outlined here was to investigate the influence of proximal processes contributing to evolutionary differences in phenotypes among primate species. There are numerous previous comparative analyses of gene expression between primate brain regions. However, primate brain tissue samples are relatively rare, and my results have contributed to the pre-existing data on more well-studied primates (i.e. humans, chimpanzees, macaques, marmosets) as well as produced information on more rarely-studied primates (i.e. patas monkey, siamang, spider monkey). Additionally, the primary visual cortex has not previously been as extensively studied at the level of gene expression as other brain regions in primates. My investigations of differences in cell biology between human and chimpanzee fibroblasts and iPSC-derived neural cells will contribute to the fields’ understanding of the influence of gene expression on differences in cell biology. While iPSC technology has been used extensively to investigate neurological disease in vitro, it has not been used to investigate differences in neural function between species. These data will be relevant both for determining proximate influences on evolutionary differences in neural function across primates and the limitations of use of non-human primate models of neurological disease

Western corn rootworm: Experiments on the improvement of monitoring at low population densities

An efficient monitoring of the western corn rootworm (WCR) Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, 1868 (Chrysomelidae, Coleoptera) is the most important precondition for convenient measures of eradication or containment. This research project aimed to assess the monitoring methods, especially at low population densities as currently observed in Germany. For this purpose, large-scaled field trials were designed in Bavaria and Upper Austria. The studies focused on the catchability, costs and by-catches of the pheromone-trap PAL in comparison to other trap types. In another experiment, different allocations of PAL traps in the corn field were examined. Finally, traps and pheromones often remain unused at the end of a monitoring season. Therefore the catchability of stored PAL traps in the next monitoring period was investigated.PAL traps captured beetles constantly on a high level. In addition to its low costs and reduced by-catches, the trap type PAL is recommended for the monitoring of western corn rootworm in Germany. Changes in locations of PAL traps within the corn field did not result in a higher catchability. At present, traps are placed in the fifth to eighth corn row and the results confirm to maintain this practice. Comparing the catchability of stored PAL traps to the catchability of fresh traps, stored traps resulted in comparable catches than fresh ones. It is concluded that traps and pheromones, which were stored dark and deep-frozen, can be used in the next season.Keywords: Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, monitoring, PAL-trap, pheromone trapsWestlicher Maiswurzelbohrer: Untersuchungen zur Verbesserung des Monitorings bei geringen PopulationsdichtenZusammenfassungEin effektives Monitoring des Maisschädlings Westlicher Maiswurzelbohrer (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte 1868, Chrysomelidae, Coleoptera) ist die wichtigste Voraussetzung für zielgerichtete Ausrottungs- bzw. Eingrenzungsmaßnahmen. Im vorliegenden Forschungsprojekt wurde das bestehende Monitoring speziell unter geringen Befallsdichten, wie sie derzeit in Deutschland vorherrschen, überprüft. Dazu wurden großräumige Freilandversuche in Bayern und Oberösterreich angelegt. Untersuchungsschwerpunkt war die Überprüfung der Fängigkeit, Kosten und Beifänge des aktuell verwendeten Pheromon-Fallentyps PAL im Vergleich zu anderen Fallentypen. Ein weiterer Versuchsteil untersuchte verschiedene Anordnungen der PAL-Fallen im Maisfeld. Am Ende einer Monitoringsaison bleiben oft ungebrauchte Fallen und Pheromone übrig. Deshalb wurde die Fängigkeit von eingelagerten PAL-Fallen in der nächsten Monitoringperiode untersucht.Der Fallentyp PAL erwies sich als durchgehend sehr fängig. In Verbindung mit seinem verhältnismäßig günstigen Preis und seinen reduzierten Beifangraten kann er für das Monitoring des Westlichen Maiswurzelbohrers in Deutschland empfohlen werden. Eine veränderte Position der PAL-Fallen im Feld ergab keine verbesserte Fängigkeit. Die aktuell praktizierte Anbringung der Fallen in der fünften bis achten Maisreihe sollte beibehalten werden. Bei den eingelagerten PAL-Fallen konnte keine nachlassende Fängigkeit nachgewiesen werden. Dunkel gelagert bzw. mit tiefgekühlt aufbewahrtem Pheromon sind die Fallen ohne Fängigkeitsminderung in der nächsten Saison einsetzbar.Stichwörter: Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, Monitoring, PAL, Pheromonfall

Untersuchungen zur Bedeutung von Superoxid-Dismutasen für die Alterung von Podospora anserina

Im Rahmen dieser vorliegenden Doktorarbeit sollte die Bedeutung von Superoxid-Dismutasen für das Resistenzverhalten und den Alterungsprozess bei P. anserina untersucht werden. Folgende Befunde aus den Analysen konnten erhalten werden: 1. Lokalisationsstudien der drei PaSods: Aus den biochemischen und fluoreszenzmikroskopischen Untersuchungen der drei verschiedenen PaSODs geht hervor, dass PaSOD1, eine Cu/ZnSOD, überwiegend im Cytosol und zu einem geringen Anteil im mitochondrialen Intermembranraum lokalisiert ist. Eine der beiden MnSODs, PaSOD2, wird vermutlich zur Abwehr von exogenem Superoxid sekretiert. Bei PaSOD3 handelt es sich um eine mitochondriale MnSOD. 2. Generierung von verschiedenen PaSod-Mutanten: Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurden von jeder PaSod mindestens drei unabhängige Überexpressionsstämme, ein GFP-Stamm- und ein Deletionsstamm hergestellt. Weiterhin wurden alle möglichen Doppel-Deletionsstämme und die Dreifach-Deletionsmutante erzeugt. Alle Stämme wurden auf DNA-Ebene verifiziert, zusätzlich wurde die Proteinmenge bzw. –Aktivität überprüft. 3. Einfluss der PaSODs auf die ROS-Toleranz: Die Analysen der ROS-Resistenzen haben gezeigt, dass PaSODs eine wichtige Rolle in der Entgiftung von Superoxiden spielt. So ließ sich bei den Deletionsstämmen der PaSods eine gesteigerte Sensitivität gegenüber Paraquat feststellen. Eine Aufsummierung der Sensitivität gegenüber Paraquat ist bei der PaSod-Tripelmutante (ΔPaSod1/2/3) zu erkennen. Überraschenderweise kann durch die gesteigerten Mengen an aktiver PaSOD in den Überexpressionsstämmen (PaSod1-3_OEx) keine verbesserte Resistenz gegenüber Paraquat erzielt werden. Darüber hinaus führt die Überexpression des Gens für die mitochondriale SOD, PaSOD3, zu massiven negativen Effekten. 4. Einfluss auf die Lebensspanne: Durch eine fehlende Entgiftung von Superoxid in den PaSod-Deletionsmutanten ist eine Verminderung der Lebensspanne nicht festzustellen. Bei PaSod-Mutantenstämme, die eine erhöhte PaSOD-Aktivität und damit eine gesteigerte Abbaurate des Superoxids aufweisen, kann bei den PaSod1- und PaSod2-Überexpressionsstämmen keine verbesserte Lebensspanne unter den gewählten Standardbedingungen erzielt werden. Vielmehr noch ist die Lebensspanne der PaSod3-Überexpressionsstämme stark reduziert. 5. Einfluss der PaSod-Modulation auf andere Komponenten des ROS-Abbausystems: Die PaSOD-Aktivitäten scheinen miteinander co-reguliert zu werden. Des Weiteren scheint es ein Zusammenhang zwischen den beiden sekretierten Enzymen PaSOD2 und PaCATB zu geben. Deutlich wird auch, dass die Modulation der Superoxid-Dismutasen eine weitreichende Auswirkung auf andere Schutzsysteme hat. Beispielweise konnte gezeigt werden, dass Komponenten des mitochondrialen ROS-Schutzsystems und der Protein-Qualitätskontrolle in den PaSod3-Überexpressionsstämmen verändert sind. Zusammenfassend lassen die Analysen der PaSod-modulierten Stämme den Schluss zu, dass die Superoxid-Dismutase in P. anserina ein wichtiges Enzym zum Abbau des schädlichen Superoxids darstellt, welches aber nur eine untergeordnete Rolle bei der Kontrolle der Lebensspanne unter den gewählten Wachstumsbedingungen im Labor ausübt. Des Weiteren haben die Analysen gezeigt, dass es durch die Modulation der PaSod-Gene zu weitreichenden Änderungen, die das ROS-Schutzsystem (PaSOD, PaCATB und PaPRX1) sowie die Protein-Qualitätskontrolle (PaHSP60, PaLON und PaCLPP) betreffen, kommt. Welche Auswirkung dabei diese Veränderungen in Bezug auf die Lebensspanne hat, kann nur schwer abgeschätzt werden und muss mit weiteren Untersuchungen geklärt werden

Changing mechanical properties of photopolymerized, dityrosine-crosslinked protein-based hydrogels

Hydrogels based on renewable resources are a promising class of materials for future applications in pharmaceutics, drug delivery and personalized medicine. Thus, optional adjustments of mechanical properties such as swelling behavior, elasticity and network strength are desired. In this context, hydrogels based on the biological raw materials bovine serum albumin and casein were prepared by dityrosine-crosslinking of their tyrosine residues through visible light-induced photopolymerization. Changing the tyrosine accessibility by urea addition before photopolymerization increased the storage modulus of the hydrogels by 650% while simultaneously being more elastic. Furthermore, contributions of the buffer system composition, variation of protein concentration and storage medium towards mechanical properties of the hydrogel such as storage moduli, elasticity, fracture strain, compressive strength and relative weight swelling ratio are discussed. It could be shown, that changes in precursor solution and storage medium characteristics are crucial parameters towards tuning the mechanical properties of protein-based hydrogels

Studies on the Subcellular Distribution of Acid Phosphatase

Preliminary experiments indicated that lysosomes are present in rat liver and onion embryos. A differential centrifugation study was made of the intracellular distribution of acid phosphatase in pea embryo tissue in an attempt to show that this enzyme is enclosed by a membrane forming granules similar to the lysosomes of hepatic tissue. The results reveal that acid phosphatase is soluble under the conditions employed, but it is believed that this may well have resulted from excessive damage to the subcellular bodies during homogenization.ThesisMaster of Science (MSc

PaCATB, a secreted catalase protecting Podospora anserina against exogenous oxidative stress

A differential mass spectrometry analysis of secreted proteins from juvenile and senescent Podospora anserina cultures revealed age-related differences in protein profiles. Among other proteins with decreased abundance in the secretome of senescent cultures a catalase, termed PaCATB, was identified. Genetic modulation of the abundance of PaCATB identified differential effects on the phenotype of the corresponding strains. Deletion of PaCatB resulted in decreased resistance, over-expression in increased resistance against hydrogen peroxide. While the lifespan of the genetically modified strains was found to be unaffected under standard growth conditions, increased exogenous hydrogen peroxide stress in the growth medium markedly reduced the lifespan of the PaCatB deletion strain but extended the lifespan of PaCatB over-expressors. Overall our data identify a component of the secretome of P. anserina as a new effective factor to cope with environmental stress, stress that under natural conditions is constantly applied on organisms and influences aging processes

Gender differences in the intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Aim: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to analyse gender differences in COVID-19 vaccination intentions. Subject and methods: PubMed, Web of Science and PsycInfo were searched (November 2020 to January 2021) for studies reporting absolute frequencies of COVID-19 vaccination intentions by gender. Averaged odds ratios comparing vaccination intentions among men and women were computed. Descriptive analyses of the studies were reported. Results: Sixty studies were included in the review and data from 46 studies (n = 141,550) were available for meta-analysis. A majority (58%) of papers reported men to have higher intentions to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Meta-analytic calculations showed that significantly fewer women stated that they would get vaccinated than men, OR 1.41 (95% CI 1.28 to 1.55). This effect was evident in several countries, and the difference was bigger in samples of health care workers than in unspecified general population samples. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis found lower vaccination intentions among women than men. This difference is discussed in the light of recent data on actual vaccination rates in different countries. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10389-021-01677-w