Alien Registration- Atkinson, Laura (Limestone, Aroostook County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/35229/thumbnail.jp

Does FDG-PET/MR offer a similar diagnostic performance to FDG-PET/CT, and therefore, offer a comparable whole-body staging examination in patients diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's and Hodgkin's lymphoma?

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston UniversityPurpose: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of simultaneous FDG-PET/MR compared to FDG-PET/CT in non-Hodgkin’s and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Methods: This cross-sectional study included fifteen patients with a confirmed diagnosis of NHL or HL who had completed a clinical FDG-PET/CT and a same day research FDG-PET/MR. SUVmax for FDG-avid lesions were measured for each imaging modality, as well as ADC from FDG-PET/MR. Strength of correlation between variables was measured using the Spearman rank correlation coefficient (rs). The overall radiation exposure dose was also calculated for a clinical FDG-PET/CT and compared to the radiation dose level remaining at time of FDG-PET/MR. Results: Thirty-seven concordant FDG-avid lesions were identified on both PET/CT and PET/MR imaging. SUVmax from FDG-PET/MR versus FDG-PET/CT demonstrated a strongly positive correlation (rs=0.84 (0.71, 0.92); p<0.0001). There was no correlation found between ADCmin and SUVmax from FDG- PET/MR (r=0.35(-0.07, 0.66); p=0.09). The overall radiation exposure from one FDG-PET/CT was 24.07±6.06mSv (range: 17.67-33.84mSv) compared to the decay-corrected radiation dose at FDG-PET/MR (2.87±0.92mSv (range: 1.86- 5.90mSv)). Conclusion: FDG-PET/MR offers a comparable whole body staging examination with an improved radiation safety profile in NHL and HL patients when based on the maximum standardized uptake value

Genetic characterisation of post harvest spoilage in lettuce

Post harvest discolouration in lettuce is an increasingly important problem due to the shift in the market for prepacked processed salads. Variation in post harvest discolouration was recorded in a lettuce diversity set of 28 accessions representative of the lettuce genepool. The parents of the WHRI lettuce mapping population, Saladin and Iceberg were included in the diversity set. They showed significantly different responses for discolouration and the difference between them was representative of a major part of the variation seen in the diversity set. F7 RILs derived from a cross between Saladin and Iceberg were suitable for genetic analysis of post harvest discolouration. As a precursor to the genetic analysis, a good quality linkage map based on the F7 Sal x Ice population was generated. Significant genetic variation in the post harvest response was demonstrated for these RILs. Twenty-one significant QTL were identified for post harvest discolouration traits, and the markers linked to the QTL can be used for marker assisted selection. Significant but weak correlations were recorded between discolouration and important agronomic traits, however as these were not highly correlated this means that post harvest discolouration and agronomic traits can generally be independently selected for by breeders without having to compromise on other traits. Research was also initiated to understand the metabolic changes underlying the phenotype change. Significant variation in levels of metabolites related to post harvest discolouration including phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and total phenolic content (TPC) was observed in RILs with extreme phenotypes. The differences in metabolite levels were significantly correlated with the discolouration phenotypes. Work was also initiated to identify candidate genes associated with the biosynthetic pathway responsible for discolouration (phenylpropanoid pathway) in an attempt to identify genes underlying QTL. Twenty-three genes have been placed on the Sal x Ice map using comparative genomic approaches. Some of these co-locate within the region of a discolouration QTL and are therefore candidate genes for the QTL effect. Mutants with altered post harvest discolouration phenotypes were also confirmed in this study; however the point of mutation could not be identified although it is thought to be downstream of PPO. This indicates that a desired phenotype with reduced levels of post harvest discolouration can be achieved by two approaches to breeding; using natural and induced variation. This study has provided the tools and knowledge to do this

Rhinovirus-16 increases ATP release in A549 cells without concomitant increase in production

Human rhinovirus (RV) is the most common cause of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and chronic airway disease exacerbation. Cough is present in 50–80% of URTI cases, accompanied by heightened airway hypersensitivity, yet no effective treatment currently exists for this infectious cough. The mechanism by which RV causes cough and airway hypersensitivity in URTI is still unknown despite recent advances in potential therapies for chronic cough.The effect of RV-16 infection (MOI 1) on intracellular ATP stores and ATP release in A549 alveolar epithelial cells was measured.RV-16 infection was found to significantly increase (by 50% from basal at 24 h) followed by decrease (by 50% from basal at 48 and 72 h) intracellular ATP concentrations, while increasing ATP release (from 72 h) independently of secondary stimulation. This effect was mimicked by intercellular adhesion molecule 1 receptor binding alone through ultraviolet-inactivated sham control. In addition, RV-16-infected cells became more sensitive to secondary stimulation with both hypotonic and isotonic solutions, suggestive of a hypersensitive response. These responses were not mediated via increased TRPV4 or pannexin-1 whole-cell expression as determined by Western blotting. Interestingly, the increased ATP release seen was not a result of increased mitochondrial ATP production.Thus, this is the first report demonstrating that RV-16 infection of airway epithelial cells causes hypersensitivity by increasing ATP release. These finding provide a novel insight into the process by which viruses may cause cough and identify a potential target for treatment of viral and post-viral cough

Genetic characterisation of post harvest spoilage in lettuce

Post harvest discolouration in lettuce is an increasingly important problem due to the shift in the market for prepacked processed salads. Variation in post harvest discolouration was recorded in a lettuce diversity set of 28 accessions representative of the lettuce genepool. The parents of the WHRI lettuce mapping population, Saladin and Iceberg were included in the diversity set. They showed significantly different responses for discolouration and the difference between them was representative of a major part of the variation seen in the diversity set. F7 RILs derived from a cross between Saladin and Iceberg were suitable for genetic analysis of post harvest discolouration. As a precursor to the genetic analysis, a good quality linkage map based on the F7 Sal x Ice population was generated. Significant genetic variation in the post harvest response was demonstrated for these RILs. Twenty-one significant QTL were identified for post harvest discolouration traits, and the markers linked to the QTL can be used for marker assisted selection. Significant but weak correlations were recorded between discolouration and important agronomic traits, however as these were not highly correlated this means that post harvest discolouration and agronomic traits can generally be independently selected for by breeders without having to compromise on other traits. Research was also initiated to understand the metabolic changes underlying the phenotype change. Significant variation in levels of metabolites related to post harvest discolouration including phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and total phenolic content (TPC) was observed in RILs with extreme phenotypes. The differences in metabolite levels were significantly correlated with the discolouration phenotypes. Work was also initiated to identify candidate genes associated with the biosynthetic pathway responsible for discolouration (phenylpropanoid pathway) in an attempt to identify genes underlying QTL. Twenty-three genes have been placed on the Sal x Ice map using comparative genomic approaches. Some of these co-locate within the region of a discolouration QTL and are therefore candidate genes for the QTL effect. Mutants with altered post harvest discolouration phenotypes were also confirmed in this study; however the point of mutation could not be identified although it is thought to be downstream of PPO. This indicates that a desired phenotype with reduced levels of post harvest discolouration can be achieved by two approaches to breeding; using natural and induced variation. This study has provided the tools and knowledge to do this.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (Great Britain) (BBSRC)Rijk Zwaan (Firm)GBUnited Kingdo

Teacher education in practice: Reconciling contexts, practices, and theories

This is the author's accepted manuscript. The original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08856257.2013.778114.This paper reports findings from an 18-month qualitative study that followed the experiences of nine teacher residents, their site professors, site coordinators, clinical teachers and principals in three professional learning schools. The study examined the tensions that emerged as teacher preparation theory intersected with the context-bound realities of daily life in schools and the political constraints that diminish possibilities for inclusive education. The paper addresses implications for teacher preparation programmes by reporting how teacher residents negotiated their understanding of and commitment for inclusive education through three themes: (a) critical reflection as an emergent practice, (b) whose learning, and (c) the trouble with behaviour. Interpreting these themes has implications for programmatic designs in teacher preparation

Leadership Outcomes Based on Membership in Multicultural Greek Council (Mgc) Organizations

This study explored how involvement in Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) organizations promoted leadership development for five undergraduate students at the University of Georgia, a predominately White, research-extensive institution in the Southeast. Findings highlight significant leadership outcomes from involvement such as an increased sense of belonging to the campus community, opportunities for leadership development, interpersonal relationships influenced by organizational culture and peer expectations, and specific leadership skills development. Implications for practice are included

The impact of energetic trade-offs on the developmental trajectory and life history strategy of Homo sapiens: The modern human female phenotype

This study interrogates the relationship between early life environmental variability (measured through birth weight and age at menarche), and adult phenotypic outcomes in female athletes and non-athletes from the United Kingdom. Using anthropometric, and 3D body surface scan analysis, patterns of phenotypic variation were interpreted in a life history context. Significant correlations between birth weight, stature, and bi-iliac breadth were observed. Age at menarche had significant correlations with linear growth and body composition measures in both Pearson and Canonical Correlation analyses. Crural index was found to be negatively correlated with limb segment SA:Vol in opposition to the expectations of Allen’s rule, a result that requires further investigation. Overall, variation in age at menarche was related to adult phenotypic variation, specifically linear skeletal growth, which may allow the development of regression equations that estimate life history variables in bioarchaeological populations, which would aid in more accurate interpretations of the past

Engaging Northern Indigenous Communities in Biophysical Research: Pitfalls and Successful Approaches

Guidelines and best practices to engage Indigenous people in Arctic regions in biophysical research have emerged since the 1990s. Despite these guidelines, mainstream scientists still struggle to create effective working relationships with Indigenous people and engage them in their research. We encountered this issue when we visited three communities on Alaska’s west coast to study impactful weather events and the formation of “slush ice berms,” which can protect towns from storm surges. As we worked to build relationships with residents of the towns, we found the existing guidelines are often helpful for telling us what to do—for example, they emphasize the importance of face-to-face communication—but researchers also need to think about how to do it (skills) and how to be (personal attributes). To demonstrate to Indigenous people that we value and respect their culture, researchers could learn to use language that is understandable and that reflects a collaborative rather than a top-down approach. We should be ready to adjust our schedules and to help the community we are visiting, rather than simply focusing on our own needs. We might look for benefits for the community and ensure residents understand and are satisfied with the research we are doing. Some of the necessary attributes we identified are curiosity, honesty, interpersonal awareness, empathy, flexibility, and openness. Although the skills and attributes presented here are useful to bridge the gap between cultures, we caution that there is no specific formula that can guarantee success.Des lignes directrices et des pratiques exemplaires visant à faire participer les peuples autochtones des régions arctiques à la recherche biophysique sont publiées depuis les années 1990. Malgré ces lignes directrices, les scientifiques généraux ont toujours de la difficulté à créer des relations de travail efficaces avec les peuples autochtones et à les faire participer à leurs recherches. Nous avons fait face à cet enjeu quand nous avons visité trois collectivités de la côte ouest de l’Alaska pour étudier les événements climatiques percutants et la formation de « bermes de bouillie de glace » susceptibles de protéger les localités des ondes de tempête. Quand nous avons essayé de nouer des liens avec les résidents des diverses localités, nous avons constaté que les lignes directrices actuelles sont souvent utiles pour nous indiquer quoi faire (par exemple, elles mettent l’accent sur l’importance des communications face à face), mais les chercheurs doivent aussi penser à comment le faire (les compétences) et à comment se présenter (attributs personnels). Pour prouver aux Autochtones qu’ils valorisent et respectent leur culture, les chercheurs pourraient apprendre à employer du vocabulaire qui est compréhensible et qui tient compte d’une démarche de collaboration au lieu d’une démarche hiérarchique du sommet à la base. Il faudrait que nous soyons prêts à adapter nos emplois du temps et à aider la collectivité que nous visitons au lieu de nous concentrer seulement sur nos propres besoins. Il faudrait aussi considérer les avantages pour la collectivité et nous assurer que les résidents comprennent la recherche que nous faisons et soient satisfaits. Parmi les attributs nécessaires pour ces travaux de recherche, notons la curiosité, l’honnêteté, la sensibilisation aux besoins d’autrui, l’empathie, la flexibilité et l’ouverture d’esprit. Même si les compétences et les attributs dont il est question ici aident à combler l’écart entre les cultures, nous tenons à souligner qu’aucune formule particulière ne garantit le succès