Thesis (M.B.A.)--Boston University

Host Defense Peptides (HDPs) are small, cationic and amphipathic molecules with inherent antimicrobial and immunomodular function. However their effects on blood-derived T cells is unknown and is the focus of this investigation. In this thesis, porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were stimulated with bovine myeloid antimicrobial peptide (BMAP)-27, BMAP-28, Indolicidin (Indol), or HH2 in the presence and absence of Concanavalin A (ConA). It was observed that BMAP-27, BMAP-28, and Indol inhibited ConA-stimulated porcine PBMC proliferation. To ensure that the observed effect on cell proliferation was not simply due to a physical interaction between the peptide and ConA, addition of peptide and ConA was staggered. Porcine CD4+/CD8+ T cells were isolated from blood using magnetic activating cell sorting (MACS) and it was determined that BMAP-27 and BMAP-28 inhibited ConA-stimulated T cell proliferation. They did not promote T cell necrosis, but approximately 40 % of the activated T cells undergoes apoptosis in the presence of BMAP-27 and BMAP-28. The remaining 60 % of the T cells consumed very little ATP and showed an increase in expression of cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4), indicating the induction of T cell anergy. The addition of exogenous IL-2 decreased the surface expression of CTLA-4 in ConA- activated CD4+ T cells and induced renewed CD4+/CD8+ T cell proliferation, an indicator that these cells underwent activation-induced anergy. Thus, we submit that BMAP-27 and BMAP-28 may play a role in returning the activated T cell population to a homeostatic state through induction of peripheral tolerance mechanisms.

The decade between the release of Canada’s 1994 Defence White Paper and its 2005 International Policy Statement was a period of crisis within the Canadian Forces (CF). The CF’s operational tempo increased significantly even as the defence budget was cut by a quarter. Defence issues were perceived to have very little profile in Ottawa., and military officers felt their concerns were not being heard. Despite rapid changes in the global security environment, dramatic budget cuts and frequent deployments, the CF was given no overarching policy direction from government. However, as one officer remarked, the CF gradually learned to survive in the absence of political guidance -- Indeed, “we have provided our own guidance.” This paper will examine how the CF adapted in the absence of strategic direction from government. It will focus particular attention on the adoption of capabilities-based planning as a decisional methodology for resource allocation and mitigating risk. This paper is based on a series of interviews with senior military officers and civilian officials at the Department of National Defence (conducted by Dr. Cohn Campbell in 2004 and 2005), and a reading of the relevant literature on Canadian defence policy and strategic planning.

Host Defense Peptides (HDPs) are small, cationic and amphipathic molecules with inherent antimicrobial and immunomodular function. However their effects on blood-derived T cells is unknown and is the focus of this investigation. In this thesis, porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were stimulated with bovine myeloid antimicrobial peptide (BMAP)-27, BMAP-28, Indolicidin (Indol), or HH2 in the presence and absence of Concanavalin A (ConA). It was observed that BMAP-27, BMAP-28, and Indol inhibited ConA-stimulated porcine PBMC proliferation. To ensure that the observed effect on cell proliferation was not simply due to a physical interaction between the peptide and ConA, addition of peptide and ConA was staggered. Porcine CD4+/CD8+ T cells were isolated from blood using magnetic activating cell sorting (MACS) and it was determined that BMAP-27 and BMAP-28 inhibited ConA-stimulated T cell proliferation. They did not promote T cell necrosis, but approximately 40 % of the activated T cells undergoes apoptosis in the presence of BMAP-27 and BMAP-28. The remaining 60 % of the T cells consumed very little ATP and showed an increase in expression of cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4), indicating the induction of T cell anergy. The addition of exogenous IL-2 decreased the surface expression of CTLA-4 in ConA- activated CD4+ T cells and induced renewed CD4+/CD8+ T cell proliferation, an indicator that these cells underwent activation-induced anergy. Thus, we submit that BMAP-27 and BMAP-28 may play a role in returning the activated T cell population to a homeostatic state through induction of peripheral tolerance mechanisms.

Thesis (M.A. in Security Studies (Homeland Security and Defense))--Naval Postgraduate School, December 2009. / Thesis Advisor(s): Dahl, Erik. Second Reader: Piombo, Jessica. "December 2009." Description based on title screen as viewed on January 26, 2010. Author(s) subject terms: Volunteer, Convergene, Real ID, National Identity Card, WHTI, Volunteer Mobilization Center, First Responder Credentialing Includes bibliographical references (p. 97-105). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.A. in Security Studies (Homeland Security and Defense))--Naval Postgraduate School, December 2009. / Thesis Advisor(s): Joyce, Nola ; Morag, Nadav. "December 2009." Description based on title screen as viewed on January 26, 2010. Author(s) subject terms: First responder, Critical incident stress management (CISM), Critical incident stress diffusing/debriefing (CISD), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), family preparedness, responder safety/efficiency, public safety health and wellness, public safety organizations, Scottsdale Fire Department. Includes bibliographical references (p. 73-77). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.A. in Security Studies (Homeland Security and Defense))--Naval Postgraduate School, December 2009. / Thesis Advisor(s): Rasmussen, Maria. Second Reader: Moran, Daniel. "December 2009." Description based on title screen as viewed on January 26, 2010. Author(s) subject terms: Lone Wolf Terrorism, Radicalization, Terrorist Includes bibliographical references (p. 81-85). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.S.)--Naval Postgraduate School, 2002. / Thesis advisor(s): Raymond E. Franck, John T. Dillard. Includes bibliographical references (p. 55-57). Also available online.

No description available.

The decade between the release of Canada’s 1994 Defence White Paper and its 2005 International Policy Statement was a period of crisis within the Canadian Forces (CF). The CF’s operational tempo increased significantly even as the defence budget was cut by a quarter. Defence issues were perceived to have very little profile in Ottawa., and military officers felt their concerns were not being heard. Despite rapid changes in the global security environment, dramatic budget cuts and frequent deployments, the CF was given no overarching policy direction from government. However, as one officer remarked, the CF gradually learned to survive in the absence of political guidance -- Indeed, “we have provided our own guidance.” This paper will examine how the CF adapted in the absence of strategic direction from government. It will focus particular attention on the adoption of capabilities-based planning as a decisional methodology for resource allocation and mitigating risk. This paper is based on a series of interviews with senior military officers and civilian officials at the Department of National Defence (conducted by Dr. Cohn Campbell in 2004 and 2005), and a reading of the relevant literature on Canadian defence policy and strategic planning.