Project (D. Min.)--Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, 1982. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 141-146).

Reproduction de : Thèse doctorat : Sciences de l'Information et de la Communication : Paris 8 : 2005. / Titre provenant de l'écran titre. Bibliogr. : f. 269-284.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 60-72).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Catholic Theological Union at Chicago, 1999. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 187-190).

Thesis (M.A.P.S.)--Catholic Theological Union at Chicago, 2002. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [54]-55).

Cotton fiber development is a fundamental biological phenomenon. In spite of its economical importance, a large proportion of cotton fiber initiation is unknown. A naked seed mutant (N1N1) was compared with its isogenic lines of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum, TM-1) using a 70-mer oligonucleotide microarray that contained 1,536 features designed from a subset of cotton fiber ESTs. Statistical analysis and quantitative RT-PCR identified 23 "fiber-associated" genes. The annotation suggested that the temporal regulation of genes involved in transcriptional and translational regulation, signal transduction, and cell differentiation during early stages of fiber development. To get a large view of fiber initiation, a new cotton oligonucleotide microarray was developed containing sequences from an ovule EST library from Gossypium hirsutum L. T̲M̲-1 immature o̲vules (GH_TMO), a set from Jonathan Wendel's lab at Iowa State University, and the pilot set of oligos used for previous study. Global gene expression studies were performed with microdissected fiber initials (or epidermis) and inner ovules to investigate fiber preferentially expressed genes. Laser capture microdissection and antisense RNA (aRNA) amplification allowed us to collect fiber initials (0 DPA and 2 DPA) or epidermal layers (-2 DPA) from whole ovule tissues. The gene expression profiles of fiber initials showed up-regulation of fiber proteins, myb transcription factors, and hormonal regulators as well as trichome related factors during fiber initiation. In each developmental stage, different sets of gene categories in molecular function or biological processes were over- or under-represented, suggesting temporal regulation of genes during fiber development. One of the possible "fiber associated genes" found in microarray analyses, RD22 like gene (GhRDL), was highly enriched in the epidermis of cotton ovules during fiber initiation. The function of GhRDL was studied with the Arabidopsis trichome system which shares many similarities with fiber development. Overexpression of 35S::GhRDL into Arabidopsis thaliana Columia-0 induced seed hairs (or seed trichomes) and pRDL:GUS was localized in Arabidopsis seeds. This suggests that GhRDL plays an important role in the seed trichome development and can be a key player in cell differentiation and fiber development. / text

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection causes inhibition of host protein synthesis, in part by sequestering initiation factors required for mRNA cap recognition. The viral mRNAs share a common mRNA structure to those of the host cell, with a 5' cap and 3' polyadenylate tail, but continue to be efficiently translated despite host translational shutoff. This observation suggests that a non-canonical translation pathway is utilized for viral protein synthesis. To investigate this pathway, we performed an RNA interference screen to identify genes required for VSV replication. In contrast to bulk cellular translation, viral translation is hypersensitive to knockdown of a protein constituent of the 60S ribosomal subunit, rpL40. Depletion of rpL40 diminishes VSV protein synthesis by >90% and is restored through complementation with an siRNA-resistant mutant of rpL40. To delineate the mechanism by which rpL40 is required for viral protein synthesis, we reconstituted translation of VSV mRNA in yeast extracts in vitro. In the absence of rpL40, we show that the two ribosomal subunits fail to associate on VSV mRNA, and the small subunit does not scan to the initiation codon. Regulation by rpL40 occurs in context of the large subunit, providing direct evidence for translational control by the ribosome itself. This rpL40- dependent mechanism of translation initiation is broadly conserved within eukaryotes, governed solely through an RNA determinant, and is utilized by several viruses within the order Mononegavirales. To determine whether a subset of cellular transcripts also require rpL40 for translation, we identified polysome-associated mRNAs in yeast by deep sequencing. We demonstrate that in vitro and in vivo translation of candidate mRNAs, including factors involved in stress responses, are inhibited in the absence of rpL40. This finding suggests that rpL40 plays a critical role in transcript-specific translation during cellular stress. Collectively, our work identifies an alternative translation pathway that is specifically dependent on rpL40, revealing a previously unappreciated mechanism of protein synthesis regulation by the ribosome.

The low cycle thermo-mechanical fatigue of laser beam welded conventionally cast Inconel 738, directionally solidified René 80 and single crystal René N5 has been evaluated. Results have been compared to gas tungsten arc and baseline alloy conditions. Metallographic examination of laser beam welds and the associated heat affected zone were conducted by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The impact of laser beam welding on thermo-mechanical fatigue properties of Inconel 738, René 80 and René N5 has been evaluated and recommendations for improvements and areas of further research have been presented.

Tobacco use is responsible for millions of preventable illnesses and deaths throughout the world. Nevertheless, multitudes of people begin smoking every day, most before reaching the age of 18. Previous research suggests that parental smoking status is a significant predictor of adolescent smoking. Furthermore, parental smoking status may also be associated with a younger age of smoking initiation, which increases a person’s risk of nicotine dependence, cancer, and death. This study examines the association between parental smoking and adolescent age of smoking initiation in 14 African countries. Data for this study was obtained from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey from 2003 – present. Parental smoking status was significantly associated with a younger age of adolescent smoking initiation; maternal smoking had a greater influence than paternal smoking. Gender was also significantly associated with age of initiation; girls are smoking at a younger age than boys. In addition, parental smoking was significantly associated with current smoking among adolescents. The tobacco industry is increasingly targeting these countries to market products to women and adolescents, among whom smoking prevalence is currently low. More rigorous examinations of the association between parent and adolescent smoking in developing countries are needed. Immediate and compelling interventions in the areas of education for parents and adolescents on the health consequences of smoking, access to cessation benefits, and policies to reduce the visibility of smoking are critical steps to preventing tobacco-related death and disease.

The purpose of this thesis was to examine changes in the expression of translation regulatory proteins following both an acute bout of endurance exercise and chronic muscle contractile activity. In experiment 1, female Sprague-Dawley rats ran for 2 h at 15 m/min followed by an increase in speed of 5 m/min every 5 min until volitional fatigue. Red gastrocnemius muscle was harvested from non-exercised animals (control), immediately following cessation of exercise (0 h) and after 3 hours of recovery (3 h). Compared to control, rpS6 mRNA was elevated (p < .05) at both 0 h (+32%) and 3 h (+47%). Both eIF2Bε (+127%) and mTOR mRNA (+44%) were higher than control at 3 h, while eIF4E decreased (-24%) immediately following exercise (p < .05). Phosphorylation of mTOR (+40%) and S6K1 (+266%) also increased immediately post-exercise (p < .05). In experiment 2, female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent chronic stimulation of the peroneal nerve continuously for 7 days. The red gastrocnemius muscle was removed 24 h following cessation of the stimulation. Chronic muscle stimulation up-regulated (P < .05) mTOR protein (+74%), rpS6 (+31%), and eIF2α (+44%, P < .07), and this was accompanied by an increase in cytochrome C (+31%). Phosphorylation of rpS6 (Ser235/Ser236) was increased (+51%, P < .05), while mTOR (Ser2448) and 4E-BP1 (Thr37/46) did not change. These experiments demonstrate that acute and chronic endurance contractile activity up-regulate the mTOR signalling pathway and mitochondrial content in murine skeletal muscle. This up-regulation of the mTOR pathway may increase translation efficiency and may also represent an important control point in exercise mediated mitochondrial biogenesis. / Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2012-10-02 13:35:04.072