A BIPHASIC ROLE FOR THE VOLTAGE-GATED SODIUM CHANNEL SCN5LAB IN CARDIAC DEVELOPMENT OF ZEBRAFISH JEFFREY S. BENNETT Dissertation under direction of Professor Dan M. Roden, M.D. Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) play an important role in generation and propagation of action potentials in nervous and cardiac tissues. Less is known of a possible role for them in development of the heart. Homozygous deletion of the voltage-gated sodium channel Scn5a results in embryonic lethality and developmental defects in the mouse heart. Morpholino knockdown of the two cardiac VGSC isoforms in zebrafish, scn5Laa and scn5Lab, results in small dysmorphic ventricles and death by four days post-fertilization. Here, I examine a role for scn5Lab in multiple phases of cardiac development. I find that loss of scn5Lab results in impaired specification of pre-cardiac mesoderm, with specific loss of the cardiac transcription nkx2.5. Differentiation of myocardium from the second heart field is determined to be intact, genetically and morphologically. Further I find that proliferation of differentiated cardiomyocytes is absent in morpholino-injected embryos, an effect that appears to be independent of impaired cardiac function. Electrophysiologic studies suggest voltage-gated sodium channels are present, but not required for action potentials at this time. I conclude that scn5Lab has a biphasic role in cardiac development of zebrafish, likely independent of its role in sodium ion permeation

A member of the TGF-β superfamily of cytokines, BMP2 not only plays a critical role in pattern formation and morphogenesis during early embryonic development, but also promotes osteoblast differentiation and bone formation, making it a vital factor for the maintenance of bone health. Expanding on earlier studies of the regulatory landscape surrounding Bmp2 by BAC transgenesis in mice that had lead to the identification of the osteoblast enhancer ECR1, the work presented here further scrutinizes the particular role of ECR1 during osteogenesis and provides striking evidence for the hypothesis that despite its indispensable role for Bmp2 expression in osteoblasts -, it is in fact not entirely autonomous, but requires additional enhancer activity to control the full scope of osteoblast-specific expression. Subsequent analysis of the chromosomal conformation during transcriptional activation does not only support this hypothesis and substantiate the dynamic nature of looping interactions at the locus, but combined with additional epigenetic characteristics also serves to highlight several distant loci within the gene desert as excellent candidates for putative enhancer function.

<p>Human Coronavirus NL-63 is a respiratory virus with a high incidence rate, causing mild respiratory infections in children under the age of 18. The outbreak of Sever Acute Respiratory&nbsp / Syndrome (SARS) in 2003 sparked increased interest into the field of coronavirology and respiratory diseases subsequently led to the discovery of this novel Human Coronavirus (HCoV) by a group of scientists in Holland. The membrane protein (M) of NL-63 has been shown to interact with the nucleocapsid, spike and envelope proteins of the virus when expressed ex vivo. In contrast, the envelope protein (E) is shown to exhibit ion channel activity, interacts with the membrane protein during the formation of viral-like particles. The functions of the open reading frame 3 (ORF3) proteins remains a mystery. Research does, however, indicate that this protein is needed for in vivo infectivity and pathogenesis. Bioinformatic analysis indicates that both the ORF3 and M proteins posses at least 3&rsquo / C-terminal transmembrane regions. To further characterize the biological activity of these three proteins in clinical and laboratory samples, sensitive and specific antibodies are required. Thus, the antigenic regions of ORF3, M and the entire E gene were amplified by PCR and ligated into a bacterial expression vector for expression and subsequent generation of antibodies in a mouse system. The identities of the cloned genes were confirmed by sequencing before being expressed in an in vitro bacterial system. Western Blots were used to identify the expression of the 41kDa, 42kDa and 34kDa GST-tagged viral proteins which were consistent with the bioinformatically predicted protein species. Verified fusion proteins were expressed in large quantities, quantified and concentrated for in vivo antibody production. Inoculation of 9 healthy, female Balb/C mice with the purified fusion proteins yielded high titers of polyclonal antibodies. Western Blotting was once again used to validate the production of the antibodies before their specificity was quantitatively measured using a modified competition ELISA.</p>

While positive fathers appear to be a myth in African American communities among current research, this study looks at the common factors among involved fathers in inner city neighborhoods. In a secondary analysis of interviews from happily married Black couples in inner city neighborhoods, overlapping themes emerge exploring the reasons behind positive involvement among fathers. In twenty-two interviews, both husbands and wives explain reasons for continuous father involvement in the lives of their children. Findings include a heavy reliance on faith, marital support and commitment to matrimony and value of responsibility to ones family. Future research and implications should address standards set by highly involved fathers and establish programs to help other fathers become more involved.

The present research study seeks to improve upon prior research on child social supports by using an already existing eco-map protocol to inform two interviews on child social supports. This study will help further develop an assessment for understanding child social supports and social networks. This project examines the similarities and differences between child reports of social support using: a) child interview-only protocol and b) interview-with-pictures protocol. The two main research questions include: 1) Do children report the same number of social supports using the child interview-only protocol as the interview-with-pictures protocol? and 2) Do children report the same kind of social supports (same names, same types, and same aspects of development) using the child interview-only protocol vs. the interview-with-pictures protocol? Five randomly selected 4-5 year old children participated in both interviews. The number of social supports reported using the child interview-only protocol and the interview-with-pictures protocol were counted and compared to determine if a different number of social supports were reported between interview measures. The kinds of social supports reported using the child interview-only protocol and the interview-with-pictures protocol were compared in order to determine if children reported different social supports, types of social supports, and aspects of development supported by social supports. Results indicated that childrens responses in the interview-with-pictures protocol were richer than responses in the interview-only protocol. An implication for future research includes further development of the eco-map protocol used with young children.

The content analysis of eighteenth and nineteenth century slave petitions identified slave dress terms and descriptors by type and frequency and a descriptive analysis of slave dress petitions revealed the following themes: the expense and burden attributed to clothing slaves, slave dress neglect, hiring contracts that included slave dress, the use of slave dress as a reflection of the slaveholders character, compensation for slave dress provided by an individual other than the slaveholder, the quality of slave dress, the distribution of slave dress, and slave dress terminology descriptors. The most frequent specific provision request for slave dress items consisted of two sets of clothes, a single pair of shoes and a single blanket. Descriptive terms used to modify slave dress terminology attributed positive, negative or common or usual qualities to slave dress. The slave dress petitions described the slaveholders role in dictating the type, quality and amount of clothing provided to slaves, ensuring the slaves received clothing and seeking redress for inadequate or neglected clothing provisions. The petitions revealed a very functional and property based approach held by slaveholders in regard to slave dress as a use for protecting the slave from the elements in order to preserve the value of the slave. At the societal level, the descriptions of inferior types and minimal amounts of slave dress provisions served to reinforce the slaves low social and economic status, hinder the creation of an individual slave identity through dress and undermined the humanity of slaves. The sample of slave dress petitions testified to the inadequate or neglected slave dress provisions described in slave narratives. Dress research studies describing dress in totalitarian and oppressive environments were used to draw comparisons with the slave dress experience across time and place. Use of the slave petitions in dress research drew attention to the need for modifications to existing dress theories or the development of new dress theories in order to understand the creation of identity and meanings associated with dress to individuals in oppressive environments.

The current study examined middle childhood aged Romanian childrens representations of parenting behaviors, basic negative emotions, and negative self-conscious emotions in the Narrative Story Stem Technique (NSST; Bretherton, Ridgeway, & Cassidy, 1990). More specifically, the research objectives of the study were a) to identify the frequency of the representations that were reflected in childrens narratives, b) to identify the specific stories that elicited the greatest number of representations, c) to identify possible relationships among childrens representations, their age, and amount of time that parents spend with their children, d) to identify gender differences in representations, and e) to evaluate the usefulness of the NSST to assess children's representations. Data were collected from 52 Romanian children aged between 6 and 11-years old. Assessments were made using the NSST, a parent consent form,and a general questionnaire. The findings showed that the frequency of representations was identified. The stories varied widely in their power to elicit childrens representations. Correlations among the variables of interest showed some statistically significant relationships in the expected directions. Gender differences in representations of parenting behaviors and narrative coherence were identified. At last, the findings showed that the NSST could be a useful instrument to identify and assess childrens representations.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the application of a social psychological theoretical framework to the study of creativity in apparel design, with a focus on technological engagement and motivational factors. A sample of 32 apparel design students from two major southeastern universities were selected to complete a self-report instruments regarding motivation and technological engagement. Students completed the Abbreviated Torrance Test for Adults (ATTA) as well as a design brief. Design illustrations were evaluated by a panel of expert judges in the field of apparel design using a consensual assessment technique (CAT). Results indicate levels of technology and internet usage and enjoyment do not relate to product output. Additionally, non-significant results indicate that previously theorized relationships between motivation and product output specific to apparel designers do not support earlier studies of literary and visual artists. Internet and technology engagement is largely based in information collection and redistribution as opposed to idea creation. This theory may explain the limited effect of internet and technology engagement on product output. While motivations across visual arts fields are key components of product output, apparel design is independent of visual arts due to its largely commercial-based enterprise. Our results support this idea and also highlight the need to create an apparel design specific theory of creativity.

Research on religion and family in the United States has increased in the last two decades. With the increasing immigrant population, studies on minorities including Chinese immigrant families are also important. Religious faith has significant influences on some Chinese immigrant families. The purpose of the study is to examine the relationship between Christianity and Chinese immigrant families. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with twenty-two highly religious Chinese Christian couples in the Southern United States. Twenty-two open-ended questions were asked to understand their conversion processes and how the Christian faith influenced the participants marriage and family life. Most of the participants held advanced graduate degrees. Their ages ranged from 28 to 66, and the number of children ranged from one to four. Grounded theory methods including open coding and axial coding were applied to analyze the data. Three major themes emerged and were identified in the interview data: 1) Conversion to Christianity, 2) Faith practice: to learn and to change, and 3) Faith and parenting. Several subthemes are also addressed, and supporting qualitative data is presented in connection with each theme. Implications for theory, practice, and research related to Chinese immigrant families in the United States are discussed.

As technology continues to grow, new marketing opportunities arise. Facebook is an online social network that allows companies to understand their consumer base (Shih, 2011). Little research has been conducted to understand how Facebook is used as a marketing tool. Word of mouth advertising is created on Facebook fan-pages, business pages that allow consumers to interact with each other with User-Generated Content (UGC). Identifying opinion leaders on these fan-pages can help businesses understand their customers and help them build relationships with them on Facebook. The current research presents a qualitative approach to profiling users of a Facebook fan-page wall, identifying opinion leaders, and analyzing the documented messages on the wall. The Facebook fan-page used was from Tru Colors Apparel a local apparel business targeting college football fans in the South East region of the United States. The profile identified thirty-three opinion leaders, whose comments were analyzed for themes. Eighteen themes were identified from the fan comments and opinion leader comments. The themes identified were brand/line, styles, excitement, purchase intention, purchase, team spirit, suggestions, pricing, sizing, photos, store/location, website, gratitude, emails, blog referral, recommendations, winners, and articles. The comments were analyzed over a three season period. The three seasons are defined based on the football season from June to February. Each comment from all the fans and from the opinion leaders were compared to identify relationships between themes and to support the identification process of opinion leaders. Purchase intention, Team Spirit, and the Brand/Line were consistently more prevalent when comparing the opinion leader comments to the other fans comments. Implications are presented for small apparel companies with narrow niche markets.