Investigations into the molecular effects of single nucleotide polymorphism

Objectives: DNA sequences are very rich in short repeats and their pattern can be altered by point mutations. We wanted to investigate the effect of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on the pattern of short DNA repeats and its biological consequences. Methods: Analysis of the pattern of short DNA repeats of the Thy-1 sequence with and without SNP. Searching for DNA-binding factors in any region of significance. Results: Comparing the pattern of short repeats in the Thy-1 gene sequences of Turkish patients with ataxia telangiectasia (AT) with the `wild type' sequence from the DNA database, we identified a missing 8-bp repeat element due to an SNP in position 1271 (intron II) in AT-DNA sequences. Only the mutated sequence had the potential for the formation of a stem loop in DNA or pre-mRNA. In super-shift experiments we found that DNA oligomers covering the area of this SNP formed a complex with proteins amongst which we identified the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) protein. Conclusion: SNPs have the potential to alter DNA or pre-mRNA conformation. Although no SNP-depeding formation of the DNA-protein complex was evident, future investigations could reveal differential molecular mechanisms of cellular regulation. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel

Learning an Artist's Style: Just What Does a Pigeon See in a Picasso?

Judgments of style in art, music, and literature are commonplace, although the mechanisms providing for this structural sensitivity are not well understood. Watanabe, Sakamoto, and Wakita (1995) showed that pigeons trained to discriminate colour slides of paintings of Picasso from those of Monet could generalise this discrimination not only to new paintings of Picasso and Monet, but also to paintings of other cubist and impressionist painters. These results suggest that the bases for such judgments of artistic style may be simpler than normally thought. This tacit sensitivity to artistic style is explored in terms of a simple PCA network model applied to pixel-maps of the paintings. The eigenvectors obtained from the singular value decomposition of sets of these pixel-maps provide for descriptions of the stimuli in terms of visual “macro-features”. These macro-features provide a simple basis not only for recognising previously-experienced paintings, but for the successful discrimination of novel paintings into various style categories. A summary of simulations of the performance of Watanabe et al.’s pigeons using precisely the same stimuli and tasks is provided. The results suggest that the eigen-decomposition is a necessary first-step, and that the bases for judgments of style may indeed be quite simple

PET studies of the serotonin system in relation to behavioral phenotypes in psychiatry

Behavioral phenotypes beyond core symptoms of diagnoses have become an area of high interest in psychiatric research. All major psychiatric diagnoses are associated with deficits in cognitive function, including impairments in social abilities, which contribute to great suffering and have a negative impact on the everyday life. Aberrations in the central serotonin system has been demonstrated in several psychiatric disorders. However, treatment targeting cognitive impairment is lacking due to limited understanding of neurobiological mechanisms in psychiatry. The overall aim of this thesis is to investigate associations between cognitive ability and serotonin transporter and serotonin receptor 5- HT1B in major depressive disorder (MDD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and in nonpsychiatric control subjects. In Study I, ten patients with MDD were examined with cognitive tests and positron emission tomography (PET) and the radioligand [11C]AZ10419369 binding to 5-HT1B receptor before and after Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) and for comparison with ten matched control subjects. The results showed improvements in verbal fluency from baseline to follow-up in the patient group. Correlations were found between improvement in verbal fluency and changes in 5-HT1B binding in ventral striatum and amygdala as well as between cognitive flexibility and dorsal brainstem, amygdala and hippocampus. In the control group when controlled for age and education level, an association between visuo-constructive memory and 5-HT1B availability in dorsal brainstem was demonstrated. The finding implicates a positive association between improvement in executive function and change in 5-HT1B binding in the MDD group. Study II investigated cognitive performance and the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) availability with PET and the radioligand [11C]MADAM in fifteen adults with ASD and fifteen matched control subjects. Analyses revealed lower 5-HTT availability in several brain regions in the ASD group compared to the controls. Also, positive associations between social cognition and 5-HTT binding were demonstrated. These results are in line with the hypothesis of lower brain 5-HTT binding in individuals with ASD, and further supports the theory of serotonin involvement in ASD neurodevelopment. In Study III, cognitive ability and 5-HT1B receptor binding with PET and the radioligand [11C]AZ10419369 were examined in 43 healthy control subjects. Our aim were to replicate parts of Study I as well as explore if other cognitive domains were associated with 5-HT1B. The findings between visuo-constructive performance and 5-HT1B receptor binding in the dorsal brainstem from Study I could not be replicated. Exploratory analyses when not controlled for age, revealed positive associations between visuo-constructive memory and 5-HT1B binding in several brain regions as well as negative correlations between 5-HT1B binding in numerous brain regions and cognitive flexibility and reaction time. When controlling for age effects, negative correlations between reaction time and 5-HT1B availability remained. Since a negative correlation between reaction time and amount of errors was found, implying faster reaction time and poorer impulse inhibition, these findings suggest that 5-HT1B receptors are involved in impulsive behavior. In Study IV, we investigated autism-related cognitive functions and the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) as well as serotonin receptor 5-HT1B with PET and the radioligands [11C]MADAM and [11C]AZ10419369 in a sample of healthy participants. In the 5-HTT sample, positive correlations between social cognition and standardized 5-HTT binding in striatum and putamen, as well as a negative correlation between social cognition and standardized 5-HTT binding in brainstem, were demonstrated. In the 5-HT1B sample, a significant correlation between central coherence and 5-HT1B binding in thalamus was found, but after controlling for age effects the correlation did not remain significant. The results of 5-HT1B binding in autism-like cognition do not support an association. Together with our finding of brain 5-HTT binding in relation to social-cognitive ability in neurotypical controls, and previous literature of individuals with ASD, a neurobiological and behavioral phenotype continuously distributed in the population is suggested for social ability

Recent Changes in Chinese and India's Agriculture and Implications on Global Trade of Agricultural Commodities

The objective of this study is to evaluate the changes in import and export demand in China and India on the United States and global agriculture in 2020. A spatial equilibrium model is developed to optimize production and trade in China, India, and other major importing and exporting regions in the world. This research focuses on four primary crops: wheat, corn, rice and soybeans. In the model, China and India are divided into 31 and 14 regions, respectively. The model also includes five exporting countries and ten importing countries/regions. The results indicate that India will be able to stay largely self-sufficient in 2020 and China will increase its soybean and corn imports to meet rising domestic demand. The research also gives perspectives on production and trade in the United States and other major exporting and importing countries.Agribusiness,

Climate Change is a Drag: A Mini-Collection Exploring the Intersection of Drag and Sustainability

The goal for the outcome of this project is to look at the market where drag and sustainability intersect by focusing on a specific member of this subset, Pattie Gonia, and analyzing their current work to inform a mini-collection of three garments for the same target market. First, observational research was done on Pattie Gonia’s previous work to identify the prevailing themes and styles of the garments. Three central ideas were then chosen to inform the three garments, including a look based on a common piece of outdoor clothing or gear, a look based on an environmental problem, and a look based on an element of nature. However, midway through the project, a collaboration was started with Pattie Gonia. Because of this, the third garment was designed specifically for them, and the theme was adjusted to reflect their desires for the outfit. All three looks incorporated sustainable design. For example, upcycled materials consisting of secondhand garments that were taken apart and reconstructed were utilized in every look. Deadstock fabric, which is excess material reclaimed from design houses, was also used to incorporate sustainable materials

Norges Bank’s management of the Government Pension Fund Global

Introductory statement by CEO of Norges Bank Investment Management, Nicolai Tangen at the hearing of the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs of the Storting (Norwegian parliament).publishedVersio

Defining contagion : examining imagination as a source of the infection in print studios

In this thesis, I attempted to define a contagious component of art education within a community print shop. In this quest, I examine theories around imagination, creativity, and psychology through an analysis of the work of Maxine Greene, Kieran Egan, Ken Robinson, and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Gathered from a variety of sources that include, books, scholarly articles, and online video, I link Greene’s concepts of what role imagination plays in critical thinking and empathy, Egan’s promotion of imagination’s ability to create personal and emotional engagement, Robinson’s ideas about creativity in learning, and Csikszentmihayli’s theory of flow. Connecting these four philosophers are elements of challenge, culture, and social change. Guided by the qualitative research method of investigation introduced by Sarah Lawrence-Lightfoot & Jessica Hoffman Davis, I create a portrait of the AS220 print shop. The thesis concludes with a definition of what, I feel, makes the community print shop an infectious place of learning. The definition was developed by linking theoretical concepts to findings that emerged from my experience as a participant observer

Perceptions of success: a case study of planning for climate change in Shaktoolik, Alaska

Master's Project (M.S.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2017Climate change planning is increasingly used in places like northwest Alaska where people are dealing with the effects of global climate change in dramatic and life altering ways. Planning for climate change often involves multiple actors from all levels of government working together with various goals, motivations, and perceptions of success. This research provides a perspective on what compelled the community of Shaktoolik to formally plan for climate change, documenting who they worked with throughout the process, the dynamics involved, and the outcomes created. I used a case study approach and qualitative methods in the form of participant observation, semi-structured interviews (n=26), and document analysis (n=18) to understand the ways in which community and non-community actors perceive successful climate adaptation planning in Shaktoolik, Alaska. I utilized seven dimensions of success from the literature to provide a framework during the data collection process and for data analysis. Due to a history of relocation in the region the community of Shaktoolik is familiar with adapting to the local environment, yet this is becoming more difficult as western infrastructure increases. In climate adaptation planning in Shaktoolik actors agreed on the roles different actors should play in planning for climate change at the community level. Additional findings include the importance of several key concepts such as social learning, social capital, leadership, and relationships among stakeholders. The climate adaptation planning model in Shaktoolik is moving in a positive direction and may be useful for other rural indigenous communities to replicate