A study of CIS-acting elements required for dosage compensation in Drosophila Melanogaster : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Genetics at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Dosage compensation (the equalisation of X-linked gene products) occurs in Drosophila melanogaster by a two fold transcriptional up-regulation of X-linked gene expression in males. This involves the binding of five proteins, MSL-1, MSL-2, MSL-3, MLE, MOF, and potentially an RNA (roXl or roX2), to hundreds of sites along the male X chromosome. The cis-acting X-linked DNA sequences required for dosage compensation (called dosage compensation regulatory elements or DCREs) remain elusive, despite numerous attempts of identify them. An insulated reporter gene assay system has been developed to minimise problems previously encountered with identification of these elements. The reporter system consists of the constitutive armadillo promoter fused to the lacZ reporter gene (called arm-lacZ). This reporter construct is flanked by SCS/SCS' insulator elements to block potential repressive effects of an autosomal chromatin environment. The role of the roX genes during dosage compensation was investigated. Initially both the roXl and roX2 RNAs were expressed from within the arm-lacZ insulated system. Expression of either RNA lead to a significant increase in lacZ expression in males, although consistently less than two-fold. These results suggested that either the MSL complex was binding to the roX genes or the expression of the roX RNAs in cis lead to male-specific hypertranscription of lacZ. To test these possibilities roX1 and roX2 cDNAs were inserted into the arm-lacZ reporter. Insertion of either cDNA lead to a significant increase in lacZ expression in males, suggesting that the transcribed regions of the roX genes contain binding site(s) for the MSL complex. Interestingly the level of lacZ hypertranscription in males was significantly higher in homozygous roX1 cDNA lines than homozygous roX1 gene lines. This may indicate that too high a local concentration of roX1 RNA has a dampening effect on the level of hypertranscription meditated by the MSL complex. In a set of experiments designed to identify the MSL binding site(s) in roX1, two regions of the cDNA sequence were amplified and inserted into the arm-lacZ system. One of these fragments, containing a proposed DNAseI hypersensitivity site and possible GAGA binding sites, increased lacZ expression in males, but to levels lower than the entire cDNA. This suggests there may be more than one MSL biding site in roX1. A second method of dosage compensation is thought to occur in Drosophila, independently of the MSL proteins. The arm-lacZ insulated reporter system was used to investigate the hypothesis that some genes may be dosage compensated due to repression by Sex-lethal (Sxl) in females. Several genes have been found to contain three or more Sxl binding sites in their 3' UTRs. with some also carrying Sxl binding sites in the 5' UTR. Fragments from the Sxl, Cut and Small Forked genes, containing numerous Sxl binding sites from the 3' UTR, were inserted into the 3' UTR region of arm-lacZ. Males carrying autosomal insertions of the construct had on average 1.07 - 1.50 times the level of β-galactosidase in females. This suggests that some genes could be partially compensated through Sxl repression in females. In addition to inserting 3' UTR fragments into arm-lacZ, a synthetic oligonucleotide containing a long Sxl binding site was inserted into the 5' region of an arm-lacZ construct already carrying the Runt 3' UTR fragment. Males carrying autosomal insertions of the construct had levels of β-galactosidase activity similar to those lines carrying autosomal insertions of the 3' UTR fragments alone. This suggests that other factors such as RNA binding proteins or RNA secondary structure may be required in order to obtain efficient translation repression by Sxl. Finally three X-linked DNA fragments, from the 1C region, were inserted individually between the SCS' element and the armadillo promoter. If the X-linked fragment contained a DCRE then males carrying autosomal insertions of the construct would produce twice the β-galactosidase activity of females. However, males and females expressed the same levels of lacZ

The effect of leadership programs on engagement

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect that collegiate leadership programs offered through Leadership Rowan had on student levels of engagement at Rowan University. This study sought to find a connection between participation in leadership programs and higher levels of engagement as well as evidence of applied leadership skills as a result of their engagement. The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) was used to develop a measurement instrument to quantify student engagement. The survey was distributed to undergraduate students who engaged in the leadership Rowan Leadership Certificates at the Silver and Gold Levels. The conclusions revealed that participants in the leadership programs were identified as highly engaged students. Data revealed a high measure of activities and abilities that are attributed to leadership values as outlined by the programmatic theoretical framework. It also revealed that students were able to articulate the ways in which they acted in diverse leadership positions in their everyday life. Findings are consistent with previous research and provide more knowledge on the effectiveness of leadership programs as co-curricular educational opportunities

Comparing the Relationship of Storytelling and Storybook Reading to Kindergartners\u27 Ability to Sequentially Retell a Story Using Pictures

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a statistically significant difference in kindergartners\u27 sequential retelling of a story read to them from a book (read aloud) as compared to a story told orally, without a book (storytelling) . The subjects of this study were forty eight kindergarten children attending an suburban school district in Western New York State. After listening to a story read aloud and another story told orally half the students retold the stories using pictures provided by the researcher. The other half of the students listened to the same stories only presented in the opposite manner from the first group. The story retellings were compared through the use of a t test. The results showed no statistically significant difference in the childrens story retellings

Management of Social Media Usage by Microenterprises in Rural Trinidad and Tobago

Microenterprise owners in developing countries may be uncertain although aware of how to use technologies, such as social media, to advance their economic interests. The purpose of this qualitative single case study was to determine how microenterprise owners in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) can benefit from social media usage in their business operations. The conceptual framework was Rogers\u27s innovation decision process. The overarching research question for this study was how microenterprise owners in rural T&T could overcome the uncertainty of using social media for business growth and competitiveness. Data collection involved the administration of a business demographic survey and semistructured interviews with 14 microenterprise owners in rural T&T. Descriptive coding, chunking, and identification of themes comprised of data analysis. The seven emerging themes were that participants (a) expanded on awareness knowledge, (b) leveraged business acumen to manage social media usage, (c) implemented social media strategies competently, (d) treated drawbacks as negative ideas and not as formidable threats, (e) projected confidence in using business acumen to curtail drawbacks, (f) anticipated favorable outcomes from benefits, and (g) confidently relied on business acumen to leverage benefits. Study findings may contribute to positive social change by illuminating the innovative ways that T&T microenterprise owners can use social media to counter the impact of business constraints and enhance their business growth and competitive position. Social media training initiatives by owners, change agents, and government officials may positively impact economic growth for T&T microenterprise owners and others at local and national levels

A case study of a secondary school\u27s training for entry-level employability and its relationship to employers\u27 demands.

American employers are concerned that our schools are continuing to produce an increasing number of graduates who are undereducated, unskilled, and unable to cope with the needs of business in this technological age. Schools are struggling to become accountable and must recognize the problems that affect the performance and success of students in and out of school. This study focuses on the perceptions that secondary school students have of the training they receive for entry-level positions, how it affects their performance, and its relationship to the perceptions/expectations and level of satisfaction of employers in the workplace. A Likert-style rating scale was used to measure the students\u27 and businesses\u27 perceptions of the secondary school training. One hundred eighty-students and twenty-eight businesses participated in the surveys. Data analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics--frequency distributions, measures of central tendency and dispersion, Pearson correlations, cross-tabulations, and chi-squares. Four specific research questions guided the study. The analysis of the data indicated that the majority of students show positive perceptions toward their school training for entry-level positions. However, variables such as gender, grade level, ethnic background, academic achievement, and employment status influenced the perceptions held by students. There was a significant and positive relationship between students\u27 academic achievement and their overall perceptions of their school academic training. A large proportion of the participating businesses showed negative perceptions toward the secondary school training for entry-level positions in the workplace. Variable factors such as in-service training and type of product produced influenced the businesses\u27 perceptions. While businesses were satisfied with some aspects of the school training, the overall majority expressed dissatisfaction with such training and complained about spending thousands of dollars annually for in-service training. Data from the study indicate that indeed there is a mismatch between the training students receive in school and the skills needed for successful entry-level employment. The researcher supports the recommendation offered by both students and businesses that School-Business partnerships are needed for improvement of student training and their success in the workplace

Cultural Heritage and Representation in Jamaica: Broaching the Digital Age

This thesis discusses Jamaica’s cultural heritage management in the 21st century and questions how the country’s cultural heritage is represented in today’s digital age. Tracing the development of Jamaica’s cultural policies since the late-colonial period (beginning in the late 1930s), I consider the ways in which the state has managed cultural heritage historically and connect the evolution of theoretical understandings of heritage to explore evolving ideologies of policy and management. I then examine three digital cultural heritage projects in Jamaica to question their representation of heritage material to the local population and the wider world. I argue that these presentations of Jamaica’s cultural heritage illustrate a 21st century neoliberal interplay of cultural heritage, nationalism, and economic development. The projects put forward a restricted and exclusive form of heritage knowledge which re-inscribes historical inequalities. I conclude that cultural heritage organizations and policymakers must incorporate participatory methods to leverage digital technologies to ameliorate ongoing issues of hegemonic representation

Zidni mozaici u Eufrazijevoj katedrali u Poreču: prethodno izvješće

This article provides the findings of a study of the 6th century wall mosaics at the Eufrasiana. It was based on a visual analysis of the lower mosaics (to the inscription) done from scaffolding during June of 1997. After a review of the conservation history and pre-restoration records, the authors characterize three phases of mosaics: the original work, a limited restoration from 1886 (Solerti), and an extensive restoration from 1890-1900 (Bornia). Analyses are offered of both the original and restored tesserae, setting beds and setting techniques. Bornia took great pains to preserve as much as possible of the original mosaics

Zidni mozaici u Eufrazijevoj katedrali u Poreču: prethodno izvješće

This article provides the findings of a study of the 6th century wall mosaics at the Eufrasiana. It was based on a visual analysis of the lower mosaics (to the inscription) done from scaffolding during June of 1997. After a review of the conservation history and pre-restoration records, the authors characterize three phases of mosaics: the original work, a limited restoration from 1886 (Solerti), and an extensive restoration from 1890-1900 (Bornia). Analyses are offered of both the original and restored tesserae, setting beds and setting techniques. Bornia took great pains to preserve as much as possible of the original mosaics

The healing process : finding oneself through character.

This thesis examines my journey as an artist. It chronicles my beginning as an actor and the development of my skills and gift as a performer and educator. It also represents how theatre has been a major part of my self-discovery and continues to foster my growth and development. I describe how I fell in love with theatre, and what inspired me to pursue a career as an actor. I highlight my life changing experience at the University of Louisville, where I was challenged not only as an actor, but also as an individual. I discuss my most challenging experience at the university, which was approaching my thesis role Madame Alvarez in Monsieur Baptiste, the Con Man, the rehearsal process and its challenges as well as my final performance. I conclude discussing my overall experience at the University of Louisville, what I have learned and my future plans as an artist