The purpose of this study was to investigate—by utilizing data obtained from the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) PeopleSoft database—whether the American College Testing (ACT) assessment was a predictor of student success for students who had graduated from respiratory, radiography, and nursing programs at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKCTC). In addition, the study sought to determine whether the pre-program grade point average was a predictor of student success. The analysis was based on existing data for three random samples of 100 students each drawn from graduates of respiratory, radiography, and nursing programs for the years 2000 to 2005 for a total of 300 participants. ACT composite scores and pre-program grade point averages (GPAs) at the time of entrance along with the students’ final GPAs at the end of the program of study were obtained from the college’s database. A multiple regression analysis was performed, with final GPAs as the response variable and ACT scores and pre-program GPAs as predictors. Also, in terms of evaluating the individual contribution of each predictor, the part correlations were analyzed. The analyses were performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 16. The findings of the study indicate that the pre-program grade point averages were a stronger predictor of the final GPAs than the ACT scores. In addition, the ACT scores were not shown to be a significant predictor of the final grade point averages, after controlling for the pre-program GPAs that were recorded at the time of entry into the programs of study.

Synthetic HRTEM images are simulated using Jems® simulation software with a model specimen consisting of a film of strained silicon on top of a relaxed Si0.82Ge0.18 alloy substrate in the [110] zone axis, where biaxial tensile strain exists in the strained silicon layer. Two simulated models are created: one with a sudden change in lattice constant (strained Si on a “fat” Si substrate) and another with a sudden change in atomic number (strained Si on a Cl substrate) in order to separate the effects of strain discontinuities from atomic number discontinuities measuring strain using Geometric Phase Analysis (GPA). The simulated models are subjected to image processing using GPA software developed by Chung. Two dimensional strain maps are reconstructed and the local strain is determined. Further, an analysis is done to evaluate the best imaging conditions for strain measurement using GPA at heteroepitaxial interfaces. In addition, the behavior of GPA across a step function in strain or atomic number is examined for information about (a) spatial resolution, (b) the effects of a sudden change in atomic number, (c) instrument parameters, and (d) specimen thickness for a 300KeV TEM. / text

The development of all organs of the plant depends on the activity of the meristems and adjacent areas. Monocarpic plants show only one reproductive cycle before they senescence and die. The senescence and death of these plants is preceded by a global proliferative arrest of meristems (GPA). That way, the number of fruits/flowers that they produce during their lives depends on the proliferative activity of apical meristems of the branches and on the time GPA occurs. The study of the mechanisms that control GPA, as well as a better knowledge of genes involved in the maintenance of merismatic cells during this process, can provide useful tools for crop breeding programs in order to obtain more productive varieties. The GPA is a phenomenon described more than a century ago for some monocarpic plants. Different hypothesis have been set out about the factors that trigger it. Among the factors than might be involved, the existence of source-sink relationships or the regulation of the meristem activity by the reproductive organs in development have been proposed. Regarding reproductive organs, a signalling role of developing seeds is well established, as in sterile plants or in plants where fruits are continuously pruned the GPA is significantly delayed. In our group, it has been recently described the first genetic pathway proposed to regulate the longevity of the meristem in monocarpic plants. This pathway includes transcription factors such as FRUITFULL (FUL) and APETALA2 (AP2) to control the temporal onset of this process in Arabidopsis thaliana. Our model proposes that levels of expression of miR172 and FUL increase with the age of the plant as consequence of the decrease of miR156 and the upregulation of SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE (SPLs) transcription factors. The increase of the expression of FUL and miR172 causes the downregulation of AP2, which causes the progressive decrease of WUSCHEL (WUS) expression, and therefore, the cessation of meristematic activity and appearance of GPA. In the first chapter of this PhD thesis, we have aimed to gain further knowledge in the study of longevity control of the meristems by the FUL-AP2 pathway, identifying molecular targets or interactors of AP2. In the second chapter, we have screened different mutagenized populations for mutants that show early GPA while been sterile, as a starting point to the identification of factors potentially involved in the signalling mechanism between developing seeds and the apical meristem, one the proposed pathways for GPA regulation. In the third chapter, we have developed several biotechnological strategies to increase the production of fruits and seeds in Arabidopsis thaliana. These strategies aim to apply the knowledge we have gained about the FUL-AP2 pathway for the control of meristem activity to delay GPA. All the strategies converge in increasing AP2 expression specifically in the SAM. For this, specific promoters of this tissue have been used to either to silence FUL or to impair miR172 activity. Through these strategies, we have achieved to increase fruit production in Arabidopsis up to 40%. Finally, in the fourth chapter we have analysed the functional conservation of FUL in Pisum sativum. After the characterization of the fula and fulb mutants, we have observed that in fulb mutant, GPA is delayed, increasing the production of reproductive nodes and therefore of pods without any additional developmental defects. Our results show the conservation of FUL role in GPA regulation between brassica and legumes. / El desarrollo de todos los órganos de la planta depende de la actividad de los meristemos y regiones adyacentes. Las plantas monocárpicas presentan un único ciclo reproductivo antes de su senescencia y muerte. La senescencia y muerte de estas plantas está precedida por una parada global de la proliferación de sus meristemos (GPA). De este modo, el número de flores/frutos que producen durante su vida depende de la actividad proliferativa de los meristemos apicales de las ramas y de cuando se produzca el GPA. El estudio de los mecanismos que controlan el GPA, así como un mayor conocimiento de los genes implicados en el mantenimiento de las células meristemáticas durante este proceso, proporcionaría herramientas muy útiles en los programas de mejora de cultivos para la obtención de variedades más productivas. EL GPA es un fenómeno descrito hace más de un siglo para varias plantas monocárpicas, y se han planteado diferentes hipótesis sobre los factores que lo desencadenan. Entre los factores propuestos se encuentran la existencia de relaciones fuente-sumidero o la regulación de la actividad meristemática por parte de los órganos reproductivos en desarrollo. Respecto al papel de los órganos reproductivos está bien definido un papel señalizador de las semillas en desarrollo, ya que la esterilidad de la planta o la poda de los frutos retrasan considerablemente el GPA. Por otro lado, en nuestro grupo se ha desvelado recientemente la que es probablemente la primera ruta genética propuesta de regulación de la longevidad del meristemo en plantas monocárpicas, y que incluye a los factores transcripcionales FRUITFULL (FUL) y APETALA2 (AP2) en el control temporal de este proceso en Arabidopsis thaliana. Esta ruta propone que con la edad los niveles de expresión del miR172 y de FUL aumentan como consecuencia de la reducción del miR156 y aumento de los factores de transcripción SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE (SPLs), que regulan la expresión de FUL. El aumento de la expresión de FUL y del miR172 produce la reducción de los niveles de AP2, que ocasiona la progresiva disminución de la expresión del gen de mantenimiento meristemático WUSCHEL (WUS), y por tanto, el cese de la actividad meristemática y aparición del GPA. En el capítulo 1 de esta tesis doctoral se ha pretendido profundizar en el estudio del control de la longevidad de los meristemos mediante la ruta FUL-AP2, identificando dianas moleculares o interactores de AP2. En el capítulo 2 hemos llevado a cabo el rastreo de diferentes poblaciones mutagenizadas buscando mutantes que a pesar de ser estériles tuvieran un GPA temprano, como punto de partida a la identificación de factores implicados en la vía de señalización entre semillas en desarrollo y meristemo apical, otra de las posibles rutas de regulación del GPA. En el capítulo 3 hemos desarrollado una serie de estrategias biotecnológicas que permiten aumentar la producción de frutos y semillas en Arabidopsis thaliana. Estas estrategias tratan de aplicar el conocimiento sobre la ruta FUL-AP2 de mantenimiento de la actividad meristemática para retrasar el GPA. Todas las estrategias convergen en elevar el nivel de expresión de AP2 únicamente en el SAM. Para ello, se han empleado promotores específicos de este tejido, dirigiendo el silenciamiento de FUL o la desregulación de la actividad del miR172. Mediante estas estrategias hemos conseguido incrementar la producción de frutos en la inflorescencia principal de Arabidopsis hasta en un 40%. Por último en el capítulo 4 hemos analizado la conservación funcional de FUL en Pisum sativum. Tras la caracterización de los mutantes fula y fulb, observamos como en el mutante fulb se retrasa el GPA, incrementando la producción de nudos reproductivos, y por tanto de vainas sin que estas muestren defectos en su desarrollo. Los resultados obtenidos indican una clara conservación del papel de FUL en el GPA entre brásicas y leguminosas. / El desenvolupament de tots els òrgans de la planta depèn de l'activitat dels meristems i regions adjacents. Les plantes monocàrpiques presenten un únic cicle reproductiu abans de la seua senescència i mort. La senescència i mort d'aquestes plantes està precedida per una parada global de la proliferació dels seus meristems (GPA). D'aquesta manera, el nombre de flors/fruits que produeixen durant la seua vida depèn de l'activitat proliferativa del meristem apical de la tija i de quan es produeix el GPA. L'estudi dels mecanismes que controlen el GPA, així com un major coneixement dels gens implicats al manteniment de les cèl·lules meristemàtiques durant aquest procés, proporcionaria eines molt útils en els programes de millora de cultius per a l'obtenció de varietats més productives. EL GPA és un fenomen descrit fa més d'un segle per a diverses plantes monocàrpiques, i s'han plantejat diferents hipòtesis sobre els factors que el desencadenen. Entre els factors proposats es troben l'existència de relacions font-sumider o la regulació de l'activitat meristemàtica per part dels òrgans reproductius en desenvolupament. Pel que fa al paper dels òrgans reproductius està ben definit un paper senyalitzador de les llavors en desenvolupament, ja que l'esterilitat de la planta o la poda dels fruits retarda considerablement el GPA. D'altra banda, en el nostre laboratori s'ha revelat recentment la que és probablement la primera ruta genètica proposta de regulació de la longevitat del meristem en plantes monocàrpiques, i que inclou els factors transcripcionals FRUITFULL (FUL) i APETALA2 (AP2) en el control temporal d'aquest procés en Arabidopsis thaliana. Aquesta ruta proposa que amb l'edat els nivells d'expressió del miR172 i de FUL augmenten com a conseqüència de la reducció del miR156 i augment dels factors de transcripció SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE (SPLs), que regulen l'expressió de FUL. L'augment de l'expressió de FUL i del miR172 produeix la reducció dels nivells de AP2, que ocasiona la progressiva disminució de l'expressió del gen de manteniment meristemàtic WUSCHEL (WUS), i per tant, el cessament de l'activitat meristemàtica i aparició del GPA. En el capítol 1 d'aquesta tesi doctoral s'ha pretès aprofundir en l'estudi del control de la longevitat dels meristems mitjançant la ruta FUL-AP2, identificant dianes moleculars o interactors de AP2. En el capítol 2 hem dut a terme el rastreig de diferents poblacions mutageneizadas buscant mutants que tot i ser estèrils tingueren un GPA temprà, com a punt de partida a la identificació de factors implicats en la via de senyalització entre llavors en desenvolupament i meristem apical, una altra de les possibles rutes de regulació del GPA. En el capítol 3 hem desenvolupat una serie d'estratègies biotecnològiques que permeten augmentar la producció de fruits i llavors en Arabidopsis thaliana. Aquestes estratègies intenten aplicar el coneixement sobre la ruta FUL-AP2 de manteniment de l'activitat meristemàtica per retardar el GPA. Totes les estratègies convergeixen en elevar el nivell d'expressió de AP2 únicament en el SAM. Per açò, s'han emprat promotors específics d'aquest teixit, dirigint el silenciament de FUL o la desregulació de l'activitat del miR172. Mitjançant aquestes estratègies hem aconseguit incrementar la producció de fruits en la inflorescència principal d'Arabidopsis fins un 40%. Finalment en el capítol 4 hem analitzat la conservació funcional de FUL en Pisum sativum. Després de la caracterització dels mutants fula i fulb, observarem com en el mutant fulb es retardava el GPA, incrementant la producció de nusos reproductius, i per tant de baines, sense que aquestes mostraren defectes en el seu desenvolupament. Els resultats obtinguts indiquen una clara conservació del paper de FUL al GPA entre brasicas i lleguminoses. / Martinez Fernandez, I. (2017). La ruta FUL-AP2 y la longevidad de los meristemos en Arabidopsis thaliana. Bases moleculares y potencial biotecnológico [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/88394 / TESIS

This study shows that Arabidopsis thaliana WRKY45 gene has an important role in limiting green peach aphid (GPA; Myzus persicae Sülzer) infestation. WRKY45 belongs to the WRKY family of transcription factors, which is one of the largest transcription factor family in plants. In response to GPA infestation, expression of WRKY45 was systemically upregulated in leaves and roots, with highest expression in the vascular tissues, which are the site of aphid feeding. GPA colonization was better on the wrky45 mutant compared to the wild-type (WT) plant. In contrast, GPA poorly colonized plants that were overexpressing (OE) WRKY45, thus confirming an important role for WRKY45 in plant defense to the GPA. A WRKY45-dependent process adversely impacted the reproductive rate of GPA and feeding from the sieve elements. RNA-seq experiments indicated a major impact of WRKY45 overexpression on expression of genes associated with dehydration and abscisic acid biosynthesis and signaling. In agreement with the RNA-seq data, ABA content was also higher in WRKY45-OE plants. However, genetic studies with an ABA-insensitive mutant (abi2-2) indicates that the WRKY45-OE conferred resistance to GPA is mediated through an ABA-independent mechanism. WRKY45-OE plants showed enhanced tolerance to drought and salt stresses. Genetic studies indicate that ABA signaling is critical for WRKY45's involvement in promoting plant tolerance to drought. Taken together, these results demonstrate that WRKY45 acts as a positive regulator of plant responses to GPA infestation, and drought and salt stress responses.

The intent of this study was to examine the relationship between media multitasking orientation and grade point average. The study utilized a mixed-methods approach to investigate the research questions. In the quantitative section of the study, the primary method of statistical analyses was multiple regression. The independent variables for the study were media multitasking orientation, gender, age, and income. The dependent variable for the study was grade point average. Three out of four independent variables, namely, media multitasking orientation, gender and age were statistically significant predictors of grade point average. In the qualitative section of the study, seven participants were interviewed to determine how individual differences in media multitasking orientation manifest themselves in academic settings.

The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between a students Grade Point Average (GPA) and a student's proximity to campus. There were also two other independent variables studied, the students gender and the number of roommates the student has. The results showed that there is no correlation between GPA and proximity to campus or GPA and number of roommates. The only correlation found, which was slight, was between GPA and gender.

The goal of this research was to examine the effects, if any, the programs available from an Academic Support Services unit of a small, private, liberal arts college might have on the grade point averages of students admitted on probation over two major semesters. The assumption was that the students who utilized the services of the Academic Center for Excellence would demonstrate more increases in GPA than students who did not utilize the services. The literature review of this study found that, although there were many factors and student characteristics that could predict and explain student achievement in course work, GPA was a good predictor and the only real measure of a student's performance. The programs designed to offer support are demonstrated to aid students in improving their academic achievement. The results of this study suggest that GPA is a good predictor of a student's academic achievement and a primary method of assessing student academic achievement. However, there was no apparent impact of the support services unit on the grade point averages of the students admitted on probation. Suggested uses for the study included the development of freshman orientation programs that integrate the student into academic life and a retooling of counseling and advising programs.

While substantial literature exists regarding the neurocognitive sequelae of concussion and return to play determinations for student-athletes who have suffered a concussion, there is a paucity of research that has conceptualized the impact of concussion on common academic outcomes. This study examined these topics in an attempt to evaluate the impact of concussion on GPA and school attendance, the association of preinjury neurocognitive performance to changes in academic achievement following a concussion, as well as the relationship between baseline neurocognitive performance and academic outcomes. The change in monthly assignment GPA and attendance were analyzed for three comparison groups (concussion, other sport-related injuries, control) regarding their differences pre and post injury. Second, whether a student-athlete's performance on a computerized baseline neuropsychological assessment (ImPACT) moderated the change in monthly assignment GPA for a group of concussed student-athletes identified as either short recovery or long recovery was investigated. Lastly, the association between baseline ImPACT scores and cumulative GPA/standardized achievement measures was examined for the entire group of student- athletes. Results of this study indicated no systematic differences between comparison groups (concussion, control, and injury) with the change in pre and post injury monthly assignment GPA and daily attendance rates, although academic declines were evident among all student-athletes. Further analysis revealed that more athletes who experienced concussions evidenced a significant drop in GPA (> .5) than would be expected by chance. Contrary to expectations, baseline ImPACT assessment scores did not moderate the degree of academic decline for concussed student-athletes within the short or long recovery groups. Finally, baseline ImPACT composite scores were significantly related to general academic achievement outcomes. Specifically, the ImPACT Visual Memory, Visual Motor and Reaction Time Composite scores significantly predicted GPA. Standardized academic achievement scores as measured by the Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards (math, reading, writing and science) were all significantly predicted by the baseline ImPACT Visual Motor Composite score. This study highlights the risk factors that may lead to diminished academic performance for student-athletes and the pre-injury neurocognitive variables measured by ImPACT that predict academic performance for student-athletes.

The purpose of this research study was to ascertain the relative level of adoption of the use of web-based media by undergraduates, the results of which will be considered in the creation of health promotion messages and campaigns that are distributed through electronic means to a campus audience. The primary research conducted was a web-based survey of UVM undergraduates, inquiring about the extent to which they consume web delivered media programming, of both news and entertainment, and how they communicate with their peers. Through the use of descriptive statistics, it was learned that more than half of UVM undergraduates (58.7%) watch between one to five minutes of web-based video on a weekly basis, suggesting that the creation of video-based health promotion programming might indeed prove to be an effective approach to raising awareness and promoting behavior change for this population. Additional data reveals how much time respondents do a variety of media activities, as well as their most used means of communication with peers when not with them in person. The study concludes that there is a high enough adoption of the use of web-based media by undergraduates to warrant creating health promotion messages and campaigns that are distributed through electronic means to a campus audience.

Course grades, which often include non-achievement factors such as effort and behavior and are subject to individual teacher grading philosophies, suffer from issues of unreliability. Yet, course grades continue to be utilized as a primary tool for reporting academic achievement to students and parents and are used by most colleges and universities as an admissions measure. High-stakes assessment results are also used by schools to convey student achievement, and several states now require students to pass an exam to receive a diploma. What is less clear, however, is the relation between these two measures, GPA and high-stakes assessment results. One purpose of this study was to examine the predictive relation of mathematics GPA to student performance on high-stakes assessments. Multiple regression models were used to analyze the predictive relation between mathematics GPA and performance on the ACT and the Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (OAKS), two high-stakes assessments. In addition, the regression analyses were used to examine the influence of other student-level variables such as talented and gifted status and math courses taken prior to testing on the relation between mathematics GPA and performance on the two high-stakes assessments. In all, 299 high school students from a single grade-level enrolled in one Oregon suburban school district participated in the study. Results indicate that GPA is a significant variable in a high-stakes assessment outcome. Additionally, results of the multiple regression reveal significant student-level effects on assessment outcomes that reduce explained common variance in both the ACT and OAKS models. Implications for practice and suggestions for future research are discussed.