Leaf Micromorphology Aids Taxonomic Delineation within the Hypervariable Genus Metrosideros (Myrtaceae) on O\u27ahu

Variation in leaf micromorphology can aid delimitation of taxonomically difficult groups. The woody genus Metrosideros (Myrtaceae) dominates Hawai\u27i\u27s native forests and comprises striking, predominantly infraspecific, macromorphological variation, including many forms unrecognized in current taxonomic treatments. On taxonomically rich O\u27ahu, 10 taxa (varieties or unnamed morphotypes of M. polymorpha and other species) occur in a predictable sequence with overlapping ranges from low to high elevation along the numerous leeward ridges of the Ko\u27olau Range. We used scanning electron and light microscopy to examine mature, nonsenescing sun leaves from each of these 10 taxa. Parametric and nonparametric tests were used to compare stomatal complex (SC) traits and those of a newly described secretory structure (SS) across taxa. Correlations among traits and discriminant analyses were also done. Density and length of SCs were inversely related overall, and both measures varied significantly across taxa. Although abaxial SSs were consistently present only in the two highest-elevation glabrous taxa, adaxial SSs were present in all 10 taxa. Length and density of adaxial SSs and density of abaxial SSs varied across taxa, and densities of both SCs and SSs were greatest at high elevation. Combined, the SC and SS traits differentiated 100% of four glabrous varieties and two of three pubescent varieties of M. polymorpha. Variation in leaf micromorphology, including presence and density of a newly described SS, aids delimitation of closely related Hawaiian Metrosideros taxa and may refilect differential local adaptation across a heterogeneous landscape

MOTIVATING FACTORS: IN-SCHOOL AND OUT-OF-SCHOOL LITERACY PRACTICES

This qualitative study, conducted in an urban high school, explored the motivational factors in 11 students' home and school literacy practices using expectancy-value theory as the framework. Each of the student participants was represented in an individual case study about in-school and out-of-school literacy activities. The within-case analysis was drawn from multiple sources of data gathered over a four-month investigative period. This study employed several different approaches to data collection commonly used in qualitative case study design - interviews, observations, and document analysis. Additionally, cross-case analysis revealed recurring themes shared by many of the students. Results suggest students' value beliefs and self-efficacy for reading and writing activities is different in home and school environments. Students use home literacy activities to cope with stress in their lives and to imagine attainment of their goals. Adults, especially parents and teachers, play an active role in developing students' value beliefs for and participation in literacy activities. In school, students are primarily motivated by extrinsic factors related to earning good grades for future college and career plans. However, when students are granted some choice in their reading and writing activities at school, they are more intrinsically motivated to tackle challenging tasks

Thiosemicarbazones Target Multiple Resistance Pathways in Cancer

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a significant obstacle in the successful treatment of cancer. To date, no therapies that target MDR have reached the clinic. Our thiosemicarbazone compound, di-2-pyridylketone 4,4-dimethyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (Dp44mT), induces greater cytotoxicity in drug resistant cancer cells that express the drug efflux transporter, P-glycoprotein (Pgp), than in their non-drug resistant counterparts. Herein, the structure-activity relationships of selected thiosemicarbazones were explored and the novel mechanism underlying their ability to overcome MDR was examined. Only thiosemicarbazones with electron-withdrawing substituents at the imine carbon mediated Pgp-dependent potentiated cytotoxicity and caused Pgp-dependent lysosomal membrane permeabilisation (LMP). This LMP relied on copper(II) chelation, reactive oxygen species generation and increased relative lipophilicity. We also synthesised fluorescent zinc(II) complexes of our potently anti-cancer thiosemicarbazones to assess their intracellular distribution. The Zn(II) complexes generally showed significantly greater cytotoxicity than the thiosemicarbazones alone. Confocal fluorescence imaging showed that the Zn(II) complex of our lead compound, di-2-pyridylketone 4-cyclohexyl-4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (DpC), was localised to lysosomes. Under lysosomal conditions, the Zn(II) complexes were shown to transmetallate with copper ions, leading to redox-active Cu(II) complexes that induced LMP and cytotoxicity. Furthermore, we investigated the anti-cancer efficacy of Dp44mT and DpC in Bcl-2 over-expressing, melanoma cells. Herein, we demonstrated that DpC decreased Bcl-2 expression, while Dp44mT did not. Furthermore, we showed that the mechanism by which DpC and Dp44mT exerted their cytotoxicity in melanoma cells did not involve copper ion binding or ROS generation. DpC, but not Dp44mT, induced autophagosome formation and increased the accumulation of acidic vesicles (e.g., autolysosomes), regardless of Bcl-2 expression. This thesis significantly expands current knowledge regarding novel strategies of overcoming MDR, which can be implemented in the design of innovative therapeutics

A Call for Action: Mississippi’s Need for Minority Librarians

Recently, The University of Southern Mississippi’s School of Library and Information Science successfully recruited ten minority students in the following specialties: three public, three academic, two general, one special and one school for “The Minority Scholarship Initiative.” The scholarship was funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Service’s Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program and created in partnership with the Mississippi Library Commission and The University of Southern Mississippi Libraries. Currently, the minority enrollment at the university is 40%. The minority enrollment for the MLIS is 17%; however; it falls to 11% when not including the aforementioned scholarship students (Factbook USM, 2011; LIS Graduate Students Fall Semester 2011 Ethnicity Report). Continued support of minority students is very much needed, especially for those wanting to work in Mississippi’s school libraries

Durability of photometric and radiometric properties of non-prescription sun eyewear following simulated care

Introduction. Consumers are presented with a vast array of available sunglass options. Choices for non-prescription sun eyewear include not only frame style, lens color, and tint density, but, most importantly for some consumers, cost, which may vary from under one dollar to over one hundred dollars. Yet all eyewear manufacturers claim to comply with standards designed to protect ocular health by reducing the amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation to reach the eye. hTV absorbers can be applied to a lens as either a coating or a dye. Previous studies assessed characteristics of non-prescription sun eyewear at the point of sale and durability of UV absorbance of prescription eyewear following simulated care. The current study assessed the durability of UV absorbance and other photometric properties of typical non-prescription sun eyewear following one typical season of simulated cleaning with two conventional regimens, as well as one cycle of cleaning with two unconventional methods. Methods. We purchased six pair of non-prescription sun eyewear marketed for bright outdoor conditions from each of three cost categories: under $1 5;$1 5 to $30; and over$30. During the first cleaning cycles, the left lens of each eyewear was cleaned with a water-based cleaner available at any optical dispensary, and dried with a soft cloth diaper. The right lens was cleaned with Ivory Liqui-Gel soft soap and warm water, and dried with a Puffs brand tissue. Lenses were cleaned for three cycles of care, each of which simulated 13 weeks. Lenses were then divided into two groups for one additional cleaning cycle. One group was cleaned with 70% isopropyl alcohol and the other group was cleaned with Windex, active ingredient ammonia. Spectrometry from 200 to 1100 nm, in 5-nrn increments, was conducted on each lens at baseline and after each cleaning cycle. Results. At baseline, one pair of bargain-priced eyewear did not meet minimum requirements for UV absorption. Several other eyewear did not meet standards for other optical characteristics, such as suitability for driving and for color deficient individuals. However, 9 months of simulated cleaning with a recommended cleaner or soft soap did not alter UV absorbance of any of the eyewear. Likewise, 3 months of simulated cleaning with alcohol or glass cleaner had no affect on UV absorbance of any eyewear. For any cleaning regimen, changes to other photometric characteristics were typically within the measurement tolerance of the spectrophotometer and likely not clinically significant. Conclusion. While there is considerable variability in optical characteristics of non-prescription sun eyewear at baseline, simulated cleaning did not affect the optical performance of any eyewear. Consumers should be confident that most name brand eyewear purchased from a reputable retailer complies with optical and ocular health standards, and that it will withstand a season of typical cleaning. In addition, dispensers should not be concerned about using alcohol to clean eyewear. Key Words: non-prescriptio

Divergent Selection and Primary Gene Flow Shape Incipient Speciation of a Riparian Tree on Hawaii Island

A long-standing goal of evolutionary biology is to understand the mechanisms underlying the formation of species. Of particular interest is whether or not speciation can occur in the presence of gene flow and without a period of physical isolation. Here, we investigated this process within Hawaiian Metrosideros, a hypervariable and highly dispersible woody species complex that dominates the Hawaiian Islands in continuous stands. Specifically, we investigated the origin of Metrosideros polymorpha var. newellii (newellii), a riparian ecotype endemic to Hawaii Island that is purportedly derived from the archipelago-wide M. polymorpha var. glaberrima (glaberrima). Disruptive selection across a sharp forestriparian ecotone contributes to the isolation of these varieties and is a likely driver of newellii’s origin. We examined genome-wide variation of 42 trees from Hawaii Island and older islands. Results revealed a split between glaberrima and newellii within the past 0.3–1.2 My. Admixture was extensive between lineages within Hawaii Island and between islands, but introgression from populations on older islands (i.e., secondary gene flow) did not appear to contribute to the emergence of newellii. In contrast, recurrent gene flow (i.e., primary gene flow) between glaberrima and newellii contributed to the formation of genomic islands of elevated absolute and relative divergence. These regions were enriched for genes with regulatory functions as well as for signals of positive selection, especially in newellii, consistent with divergent selection underlying their formation. In sum, our results support riparian newellii as a rare case of incipient ecological speciation with primary gene flow in trees

Food Sustainability at Cal Poly: Comparative Analysis Between Global and Local Distribution of Produce Items

Baseline data for Cal Poly produce items purchased in 2014, were generated using food miles and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of transportation related impacts measured in units of global warming potential. A regional simulation of a local food system compiled using Harvest Santa Barbara serves as a model of a regional wholesale produce distributor. Research objectives aim to identify produce items that would significantly decrease food miles and transportation related impacts when sourced through a regional food distributor. Comparative analysis between the global and local food distribution systems, associated with 59 produce types illustrate tomatoes having the most significant impact between the two models, based off of two quantitative metrics (mileage and CO 2 ). Overall switching to a local food distribution system would reduce Cal Poly’s produce transportation emissions by 59.48%

Measuring squid fishery governance efficacy: A social-ecological system analysis

As finfish fisheries increasingly shrink due to overexploitation, management and industry have shifted their attention to the world’s squid fisheries. The emergence of squid fisheries in the global seafood market calls for well-designed and effective management strategies if they are to remain viable. This study assesses the efficacy of squid governance from a social-ecological perspective in three fisheries. This analysis uses an evidence-based approach to characterize the social-ecological system variables that contribute to each fishery management system meeting its stated goals. To do so, I test the hypothesis that the presence of the ten institutional design principles formulated by common pool resource theory leads to more effective squid fishery management. I measure five outcome variables (governance system effect, commons condition trend, basin switch, user group well-being, compliance) to assess governance effectiveness from social and ecological perspectives. This is the first attempt to examine the design principles and operationalize Ostrom’s Social-Ecological System framework to compare globally competitive squid fisheries. Results indicate that each of the three analyzed squid governance systems has met its specified management goals and is associated with positive social and ecological outcomes. Using the Socio-Ecological Systems Meta-Analysis Database (SESMAD), I used secondary data supplemented with semi-structured interviews with key informants to find a strong presence of the design principles in each case. Findings suggest effective squid governance is associated with user-involvement in system operations and contextually appropriate policies, rather than a single overarching squid based strategy