AID INSTRUMENTS IN FRAGILE STATES

International Development,

SB77-16/17: Resolution Regarding the Creation of a Moodle Link to ASUM

SB77-16/17: Resolution Regarding the Creation of a Moodle Link to ASUM. This resolution was referred back to committee 21Y-2N-1A by roll call vote at the April 12, 2017 meeting of the Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM)

Simulations of Neocortical Columnar Oscillations

The intentionof this thesis is to examine the role of the neocortical local drcuit in supporting synchronisatLon and fast (gamma) oscUlation. The aim is to include stereotypical features of the local neocortex in model simulations of cortical activity. Modelling is hmitedby scale in number and detail. Model features include three neurontypes(RS, FS and IB) andsynapses with three time courses takenfrom reportedtri-phasic PSPs (fEPSP, flPSP andsIPSP). Cell types and synapses are distributedin a two layer model. The contribution of the layers to columnactivity is investigated. The upperlayer has a tendancy towardspredse synchronisation and can dominate the activity producing synchronisation and oscillation in the whole column. This is attributed to the stronger inhibitory circuit in the upperlayer. The lower layer achieves a less precise synchronisatiorv this is attributed to a lower level of inhibition and the intraburst duration of IB neurons. The significance of this difference in the temporal properties of the two layers is discussed in relation to existing theories andmodels of local cortical function. Following a further consideration of local cortical physiology a new model of cortical functioning is proposed. The key features of this model include: the generation of local oscillations in a vertical interlarninar reciprocal circuit; the apical dendrite providing a sharp coincidence detection functionbetweenthe layers; slow axonal lateral propagationprovidinga time delay network; apical dendrites of bursting cells (CH and IB) providing coincidence detectionbetweenmputs 6:0m distant areas (layer 1 inputs) and local activity; bursting cell innervationof intemeurons, linking the local oscillation cy de to coinddence detection. This moddis termed an'intrinsically osdllating time coding networld (lOTCN). Specific predictions are made concerning the functiorungof the local circuit m neocortex, and the connectivity of CH neurons

Building a theoretical framework to understand the role of aid in achieving the education Millennium Development Goals in fragile states

This thesis aims to build a theory for understanding the role of aid in achieving the education Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in fragile states. In so doing, it responds to claims that both educational research (see e.g. Cohen et al., 2000), and the economic literature on aid and international development (see e.g. Deaton, 2008), are insufficiently grounded in theory. In finding a methodological voice for this thesis, I distinguish between three research paradigms: positivist, interpretive and critical theory. I ask whether theory is essentially a positivist project, better suited to quantitative methods and to the natural sciences. I argue for a 'mixed-method' approach, proposing that when qualitative methods generate data that are subjected to a stronger process of generalisation – including comparison between data derived from qualitative and quantitative methods, and from macro and micro level analysis – then that evidence may be sufficiently strong to underpin theory. I use a four step process to build theory: (i) categorising data into domains for analysis, (ii) hypothesising linkages between these domains, (iii) investigating these hypotheses through assessing the evidence supporting them, (iv) organising hypotheses into a theoretical framework. To assess the strength of evidence in support of each hypothesis, I use an instrument to ‘grade the evidence’, based on a threefold assessment of method, observer bias and corroboration. I include evidence from new research conducted for this thesis, including: a portfolio analysis of 145 DFID education projects in fragile states (1991-2007), and an analysis of primary data collected for the 2008 DFID ‘Education Portfolio Review’. The findings of this research confirm a potential relationship between aid inputs and education outcomes in fragile states. Positing that this relationship might work through intermediate financing and institutional effects, it finds weak evidence for the former, but stronger evidence for the latter. With both aid and non-aid inputs (e.g. diplomacy, military engagement), external inputs appear better at supporting existing incipient reform than generating that reform, suggesting that donors should adopt a more modest and opportunistic approach to aid, as opposed to deploying a ‘transformational’ blueprint (Easterly, 2009). The inter-dependence between aid inputs and non-aid inputs points to the importance of deploying instruments within a single approach to strategy and possibly delivery. There is relatively strong evidence for ‘pre-conditions’ for successful interventions – proposed here as political will, community ownership and security / stability – whereas evidence for conventional proxies of ‘aid effectiveness’ is weak relative to the importance generally ascribed to it. The evidence linking education and social stability is mixed, and weakly researched in developing country contexts – potentially significant for critical theorists who question the wisdom and motives of donor governments investing in education to counter radicalisation. I conclude by assessing whether the theory generated has validity or utility. I assess the theory against five key characteristics of theory: empirical grounding; explanatory power; predictive power; utility; verification / falsification. I conclude that my theory has explanatory power and utility, but that claims to generalisability are weak, given the importance of context. The thesis and its product (the ‘theory’) provide a framework that advances our understanding of the relationships between aid and education outcomes in fragile states. It tests the evidence base for these proposed relationships and, notwithstanding limits of generalisability, offers a narrative and framework with practical utility for future research, policy development and programming

Paper by William Colenso for the Tasmanian Society 1843 Index: Royal Society Collection

William Colenso (1811 - 1890) was a C.M.S. missionary in New Zealand, and a corresponding~ member of the Tasmanian Association - Paper by William Colenso for the Tasmanian Society 1843 'Filices Nova, Novae Zelandiae, Auct.Guil. Colenso, 1843 A classification and description of some newly discovered ferns collected in the Northern Island of New Zealand, in the summer of 1841 - 2 by William Colenso, Paihia, January 3rd. 1843 Manuscript of article published in the Tasmanian Journal( vol. 2 (1846) pp 161-189, with note by editor (R.C. Gunn) RS 12

The development of absorptive capacity-based innovation in a construction SME

Traditionally, construction has been a transaction-oriented industry. However, it is changing from the design-bid-build process into a business based on innovation capability and performance management, in which contracts are awarded on the basis of factors such as knowledge, intellectual capital and skills. This change presents a challenge to construction-sector SMEs with scarce resources, which must find ways to innovate based on those attributes to ensure their future competitiveness. This paper explores how dynamic capability, using an absorptive capacity framework in response to these challenges, has been developed in a construction-based SME. The paper also contributes to the literature on absorptive capacity and innovation by showing how the construct can be operationalized within an organization. The company studied formed a Knowledge Transfer Partnership using action research over a two-year period with a local university. The aim was to increase its absorptive capacity and hence its ability to meet the changing market challenges. The findings show that absorptive capacity can be operationalized into a change management approach for improving capability-based competitiveness. Moreover, it is important for absorptive capacity constructs and language to be contextualized within a given organizational setting (as in the case of the construction-based SME in the present study)

Multiple wavelength SPR sensor analysis

Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) sensors based on Gold thin films are typically illuminated by 633 nm laser sources. In this work we investigate illuminating SPR sensors with longer wavelength lasers. We use a model based on Fresnel's equations to achieve this. We also investigate the ability to use a single thickness of Gold film for interrogation over multiple laser wavelengths

In-Season Hip Thrust vs. Back Squat Training in Female High School Soccer Players

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(4): 49-61, 2020. The barbell back squat provides a highly effective training stimulus to improve lower body strength, speed, and power, which are considered key components of athletic performance in many sports. The barbell hip thrust exercise utilizes similar musculature, and is popular among practitioners, but has received far less scientific examination. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of an in-season resistance training program with hip thrusts or back squats on physical performance in adolescent female soccer players. Fourteen players completed identical whole-body resistance training twice per week for 6 weeks, except one group used the barbell hip thrust (HT) (n = 6) and the other the back squat (SQ) (n = 8). Improvements were observed for both groups in hip thrust 3RM (HT = 34.0%, SQ = 23.8%), back squat 3RM (HT = 34.6%, SQ = 31.0%), vertical jump (HT = 5.4%, SQ = 4.9%), broad jump (HT = 10.5%, SQ = 8.1%), ball kicking distance (HT = 13.2%, SQ = 8.1%), and pro-agility (HT = -1.5%, SQ = -1.5%; faster), but not 36.6-m dash (HT = 2.9%, SQ = 1.9%; slower) with no significant between-group differences. These data indicate that both the hip thrust and the squat provide an effective stimulus to improve these sport-specific performance measures. Practitioners should consider these findings in combination with other factors (equipment availability, ability to coach the movement, training goals, injuries, etc.) when selecting exercises

Eye-specific retinogeniculate segregation proceeds normally following disruption of patterned spontaneous retinal activity

Background: Spontaneous retinal activity (SRA) is important during eye-specific segregation within the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN), but the feature(s) of activity critical for retinogeniculate refinement are controversial. Pharmacologically or genetically manipulating cholinergic signaling during SRA perturbs correlated retinal ganglion cell (RGC) spiking and disrupts eye-specific retinofugal refinement in vivo, consistent with an instructive role for SRA during visual system development. Paradoxically, ablating the starburst amacrine cells (SACs) that generate cholinergic spontaneous activity disrupts correlated RGC firing without impacting retinal activity levels or eye-specific segregation in the dLGN. Such experiments suggest that patterned SRA during retinal waves is not critical for eye-specific refinement and instead, normal activity levels are permissive for retinogeniculate development. Here we revisit the effects of ablating the cholinergic network during eye-specific segregation and show that SAC ablation disrupts, but does not eliminate, retinal waves with no concomitant impact on normal eye-specific segregation in the dLGN. Results: We induced SAC ablation in postnatal ferret pups beginning at birth by intraocular injection of a novel immunotoxin selective for the ferret vesicular acetylcholine transporter (Ferret VAChT-Sap). Through dual-patch whole-cell and multi-electrode array recording we found that SAC ablation altered SRA patterns and led to significantly smaller retinal waves compared with controls. Despite these defects, eye-specific segregation was normal. Further, interocular competition for target territory in the dLGN proceeded in cases where SAC ablation was asymmetric in the two eyes. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate normal eye-specific retinogeniculate development despite significant abnormalities in patterned SRA. Comparing our current results with earlier studies suggests that defects in retinal wave size, absolute levels of SRA, correlations between RGC pairs, RGC burst frequency, high frequency RGC firing during bursts, and the number of spikes per RGC burst are each uncorrelated with abnormalities in eye-specific segregation in the dLGN. An increase in the fraction of asynchronous spikes occurring outside of bursts and waves correlates with eye-specific segregation defects in studies reported to date. These findings highlight the relative importance of different features of SRA while providing additional constraints for computational models of Hebbian plasticity mechanisms in the developing visual system. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1749-8104-9-25) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Interactions between amiodarone and the hERG potassium channel pore determined with mutagenesis and in silico docking

AbstractThe antiarrhythmic drug amiodarone delays cardiac repolarisation through inhibition of hERG-encoded potassium channels responsible for the rapid delayed rectifier potassium current (IKr). This study aimed to elucidate molecular determinants of amiodarone binding to the hERG channel. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were made at 37°C of ionic current (IhERG) carried by wild-type (WT) or mutant hERG channels expressed in HEK293 cells. Alanine mutagenesis and ligand docking were used to investigate the roles of pore cavity amino-acid residues in amiodarone binding. Amiodarone inhibited WT outward IhERG tails with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of ∼45nM, whilst inward IhERG tails in a high K+ external solution ([K+]e) of 94mM were blocked with an IC50 of 117.8nM. Amiodarone’s inhibitory action was contingent upon channel gating. Alanine-mutagenesis identified multiple residues directly or indirectly involved in amiodarone binding. The IC50 for the S6 aromatic Y652A mutation was increased to ∼20-fold that of WT IhERG, similar to the pore helical mutant S624A (∼22-fold WT control). The IC50 for F656A mutant IhERG was ∼17-fold its corresponding WT control. Computational docking using a MthK-based hERG model differentiated residues likely to interact directly with drug and those whose Ala mutation may affect drug block allosterically. The requirements for amiodarone block of aromatic residues F656 and Y652 within the hERG pore cavity are smaller than for other high affinity IhERG inhibitors, with relative importance to amiodarone binding of the residues investigated being S624A∼Y652A>F656A>V659A>G648A>T623A