The phenomenon of cell type-specific DNA methylation has received much attention in recent years and a number of DNA methylation differences have been described between cells of the immune system. Of particular interest when studying DNA methylation are CpG islands (CGIs) which are distinct from the rest of the genome due to their elevated CpG content, generally unmethylated state and promoter association. In the instances when they become methylated this is associated with gene repression although it is unclear the extent to which differential methylation corresponds to differential gene expression. I have used an immune system model to assess the role of CGI methylation and the role of the methylation reader MBD2 in regulation of gene expression. A relatively small number of DNA methylation differences were seen between immune cell types with the most developmentally related cells showing the fewest methylation differences. Interestingly, the vast majority of CGI-associated cellspecific methylation occurred at intragenic CGIs located, not at transcription start sites, but in the gene body. Increased intragenic CGI methylation tended to associate with gene repression, although the precise reason for this remains unclear. Most differentially methylated CGIs were depleted for the active chromatin mark H3K4me3 regardless of their methylation state but some of these were associated with the silencing mark H3K27me3 when unmethylated. These findings suggest that intragenic CGIs are a distinct class of genomic element particularly susceptible to cell type-specific methylation. I also looked at the effect of removing the methyl- CpG binding domain protein MBD2 from immune system cells. Immune cells from Mbd2-/- mice showed a number of previously uncharacterised phenotypes as well as a number of differences in gene expression compared to wild-type animals. Most of these genes increased their expression in the absence of MBD2 consistent with MBD2’s role as a transcriptional repressor and Mbd2-/- Th1 cells showed increases in histone H3 acetylation compared to wild-type Th1 cells. This work provides an insight into the role played by cell-specific CGI methylation and MBD2 in regulating gene expression.

This thesis examines poetry by Native Hawaiian activists written between 1970 and 2016 in order to develop a detailed understanding of the multi-faceted ways poetry incorporates, transmits and enacts contemporary political identity. Whilst fundamentally a literary analysis, my methodology is discursive, and draws on a range of critical approaches, archival research and interviews with poets, in order to address why poetry is such a powerful form of resistance to American hegemony. By reading contemporary poetry as an expression of deeply held cultural and political beliefs, this thesis suggests that writing and performing poetry are powerful forms of political resistance. Adopting a lens that is attentive to both the indigenous and colonial influences at play in Hawaiʻi, it elucidates the nuanced ways that traditional literary techniques enter contemporary Native Hawaiian poetry as vehicles for cultural memory and protest. Attention to the continuities between traditional Hawaiian epistemology and the ways those same methods and values are deployed in twentieth and twenty-first century poetry, means this thesis is a part of a growing body of work that endeavours to understand indigenous literature from the perspective of its own cultural and political specificity. The introduction establishes the historical and critical context of the Hawaiian Sovereignty Movement and the Hawaiian Renaissance. It outlines the main developments in Native Hawaiian literary criticism since the late 1960s, including the reclaiming of traditional narratives and the privileging of indigenous epistemologies. Chapters One to Seven proceed chronologically, each addressing a particular collection, anthology or body of work. Chapter One focuses on Wayne Kaumualiʻi Westlake's radical rejection of Westernised Waikīkī, whilst Chapter Two explores the anthologies Mālama: Hawaiian Land and Water and HoʻiHoʻi Hou: A Tribute to George Helm and Kimo Mitchell, in relation to the Sovereignty Movement's dedication to Aloha ʻĀina (love the land). Chapters Three to Five deal with five poetry collections, two by Haunani-Kay Trask, and one each by Imaikalani Kalahele, Brandy Nālani McDougall and Māhealani Perez-Wendt. The chapters address how these poets articulate Native Hawaiian identity, nationalism and continuity through traditional moʻolelo (stories), which underpin the political beliefs of three generations of sovereignty activists. Chapters Six and Seven address contemporary performance poetry in both published and unpublished formats by Jamaica Osorio, David Kealiʻi MacKenzie, Noʻukahauʻoli Revilla and Kealoha, demonstrating how a return to embodied performance communicates aloha (love, compassion, grace). The conclusion, Chapter Eight, indicates projects that are already productively engaging Hawaiian epistemology in the areas of geography and science, and points towards developments in the digital humanities that could extend this indigenised methodology into literary studies, in order to further engage with the depth and multiplicity of storied landscapes in Hawaiʻi.

by Hinny Shuk-Yee Lam. / Year shown on spine: 1997. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 92-117). / Declaration --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.ii / Abstract --- p.iii / Table of Contents --- p.v / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Pancreas and Islets of Langerhans --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Islet Hormones and Glucose Balance --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Glucagon and Its Derived Peptides --- p.4 / Chapter A. --- Tissue-specific Post-translational Processing --- p.4 / Chapter B. --- Features of Proglucagon Gene --- p.6 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Insulin and Features of Its Gene --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2 --- Regulation of Islet Hormone Secretion --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Endocrine Control --- p.12 / Chapter A --- GIP --- p.13 / Chapter B. --- Truncated GLP-1 --- p.13 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Paracrine Control --- p.14 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Neuroendocrine Control --- p.15 / Chapter 1.3 --- Neuropeptide Y --- p.16 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- NPY in Central Nervous System --- p.17 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- NPY in Pancreas --- p.17 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- NPY and Islet Hormones --- p.18 / Chapter 1.4 --- Synthesis and Secretion --- p.19 / Chapter 1.5 --- Objectives of Study --- p.23 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.26 / Chapter 2.1 --- Effects of NPY on Islet Gene Expression --- p.26 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Tissue Culture --- p.26 / Chapter A. --- Materials --- p.26 / Chapter B. --- Maintenance and Passage --- p.26 / Chapter C. --- Experimental Protocol --- p.28 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Total RNA Isolation --- p.28 / Chapter A. --- Materials --- p.28 / Chapter B. --- Extraction Using FastPrep System --- p.29 / Chapter C. --- Quantification of RNA --- p.30 / Chapter D. --- Preparation of Reagents --- p.30 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Northern Blot Analysis --- p.31 / Chapter A. --- Materials --- p.31 / Chapter B. --- Formaldehyde Gel Electrophoresis --- p.32 / Chapter C. --- Transfer onto Nylon Membrane --- p.33 / Chapter D. --- Labeling of cDNA Probes --- p.34 / Chapter E. --- Hybridization and Autoradiography --- p.35 / Chapter F. --- Preparation of Reagents --- p.36 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Preparation of cDNA Probe --- p.37 / Chapter A. --- Materials --- p.37 / Chapter B. --- Preparation of Competent Cells --- p.37 / Chapter C. --- Transformation --- p.38 / Chapter D. --- Plasmid DNA Isolation --- p.39 / Chapter E. --- Restriction Enzyme Digestion --- p.41 / Chapter F. --- Agarose Gel Electrophoresis --- p.42 / Chapter G. --- Isolation of DNA Fragments --- p.42 / Chapter H. --- Preparation of Reagents --- p.43 / Chapter 2.1.5 --- Data Analysis --- p.46 / Chapter 2.2 --- Effects of NPY on Cytosolic Calcium --- p.46 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Tissue Culture --- p.47 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy --- p.47 / Chapter A. --- Materials --- p.47 / Chapter B. --- Loading of Dye --- p.48 / Chapter C. --- Cytosolic Calcium Measurement --- p.49 / Chapter D. --- Preparation of Reagents --- p.49 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Results --- p.51 / Chapter 3.1 --- Studies on Islet Gene Expression --- p.51 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Effect of NPY on Proglucagon Expression --- p.51 / Chapter A. --- Effect at 11 mM Glucose --- p.51 / Chapter B. --- Effect at 5 mM Glucose --- p.52 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Effect of NPY on Proinsulin Expression --- p.52 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- "Effect of PYY, PP and FSK on Proglucagon Expression" --- p.53 / Chapter 3.2 --- Studies on Cytosolic Calcium --- p.65 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Features of InRlG9 Cells --- p.65 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Effect of NPY on Cellular Calcium Level --- p.66 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Discussion --- p.77 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- References --- p.92

Coral reefs worldwide are experiencing unprecedented and rapid declines. However, deeper, mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs; 30–150 m) may act as refuges for coral species, providing larvae to recolonize degraded shallow reefs. This study assessed the genetic connectivity of shallow and mesophotic Montastraea cavernosa populations on the Belize Barrier Reef and the community structure of their endosymbiotic algae (Family Symbiodiniaceae) across a fine-scale depth gradient (10, 16, 25, 35 m). Evaluation of nine polymorphic microsatellite markers demonstrated that relatively shallow (10 and 16 m) M. cavernosa populations were genetically distinct from relatively deep (25 and 35 m) populations. High throughput sequencing of ribosomal coding DNA from Symbiodiniaceae communities of M. cavernosa revealed differences in community structure across depth, with shallow-specialist and depth-generalist community profiles. This research provides important information for the management of distinct deep and adds to the body of research on the understudied MCEs of the Mesoamerican Reef. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2019. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

La présente thèse a pour ambition d’interroger les fondements de la protection de la nature à l’ère de l’anthropocène. Le postulat de départ est que l’incapacité à répondre aux enjeux écologiques reflète les contradictions de l’ontologie naturaliste, laquelle s’est imposée comme la conception hégémonique des rapports entre humains et non humains (Descola 2005). L’argumentaire repose sur une analyse critique des politiquesdéveloppées dans un territoire emblématique du naturalisme : l’archipel des Galapagos (Équateur). Lieu fondateur des sciences naturelles, il représente l’archétype le plus abouti des figures, elles-mêmes archétypales, de l’île-laboratoire et de l’île-conservatoire. Il abrite depuis 1959 un parc national couvrant 97% des terres émergées et depuis 1998 une réserve marine parmi les plus vastes au monde. Archipel tropical le mieux conservé du monde, c’est aussi celui qui connaît la dégradation écologique la plus rapide (Snell et al. 2002). Les territoires protégés ont servi de support au développement d’un tourisme de naturequi a enclenché une intégration croissante des îles à l’économie-monde et au reste de l’espace équatorien, rompant ainsi brutalement l’isolement géographique qui garantissait leur intégrité écologique (Grenier 2000). Le tourisme a surtout été le moteur d’une croissance économique et démographique ayant engendré une rapide anthropisation des enclaves peuplées et une profonde transformation de l’espace archipélagique. Bref, les Galapagos représentent un condensé, dans le temps et l’espace, des logiques ayant conduit à entrer dans anthropocène.La thèse propose d’aborder, à travers l’exemple des Galapagos, les enjeux environnementaux de notre époque par une approche renouvelée de la géographie. Fondée comme la science des relations entre les sociétés et leur environnement, cette discipline a été une victime tardive du grand partage entre Nature et Culture se matérialisant actuellement, à propos des questions environnementales, par un tiraillement entre une géographie naturaliste et une géographie du naturalisme. Le présent travail esquisse une voie alternative à ce dualisme en posant les bases d’une géo-graphie de l’anthropocène, c’est-à-dire une étude conjointe des empreintes humaines sur terre et des récits que les acteurs et les sociétés construisent autour de celles-ci. La première partie traite successivement du rôle des territoires insulaires dans l’émergence et l’évolution des politiques de conservation, de la progressive naturalisation des Galapagos et du cadre théorique et méthodologique qui a guidé l’analyse. La deuxième partie montre comment l’ouverture géographique impulsée par l’essor du tourisme de nature a propulsé l’archipel dans l’anthropocène, mettant ainsi à l’épreuve le modèle conservationniste. La dernière partie s’intéresse à la manière dont la nature et le fait insulaire participent à l’affirmation d’un sentiment identitaire (Ospina Peralta 2001) et à des logiques multiformes et multiscalaires l’insularisation entraînant une archipellisation des Galapagos. / The emergence of the conservation movement in the late XIXth century in North America turned natural protected areas into a privileged tool for preserving the living. Designed in the first place as islands of nature shielded from human hold,they were progressively integrated in the 1970s to global environmental policies aiming at reconciling conservation and development. Such a dynamics both led to the increase and diversification of protected areas. However, until now, the development of those structures did not prevent from stopping the reduction of biodiversity, a paradoxical situation that isapplying to all the ecological issues. In spite of a strong global environmental consciousness and an increase of actions, measures and environment-oriented policies, we would have entered into a new epoch characterized by the general and irreversible mark of human activities on the earth : the Anthropocene (Crutzen et Stoermer 2000).This thesis aims at questioning the foundations of nature protection in the Anthropocene era. The starting postulate is that the incapacity to meet environmental issues reflects the contradictions of the naturalist ontology which stood out as thehegemonic conception of the relationships between humans and non-humans (Descola 2005). The argumentation is based on a critical analysis of the policies developed in a territory which is quite emblematic of naturalism, i.e. the Galapagos Archipelago in Ecuador. Being a founding place of natural sciences, it represents the most accomplished archetype of the figures (themselves very archetypical) of the laboratory-island or theconservatory-island. Since 1959, the Galapagos have been sheltering national park covering 97% of the land areas and since 1998 a marine reserve, which is among the largest in the world. As the best-preserved tropical archipelago on earth, it also is the place where the environment deteriorates most rapidly (Snell et al. 2002). The protected areas were used to develop a nature-based tourism leading to an increasing integration of the islands to the world-economy and the rest of the Ecuadorian territory, thus breaking up brutally the geographical isolation that was securing their ecological integrity (ibid.). Above all, tourism was the driving force of the demographic and economic growth, which led to a quick anthropization of populated enclaves and a deep change of the archipelago’s space. In other words, the Galapagos can be seen as a concentrate, in time and space, of the logics leading to the Anthropocene.Through the example of the Galapagos, the thesis deals with the environmental issues of our epoch in order to propose a renewed approach of geography. This discipline, originally founded as the science of the relationships between societies and their environment, was later victim of the great share between Nature and Culture, whichpresently expresses itself by conflicts between a naturalist geography and a geography about naturalism. The present research suggest an alternative way to such a dualism and sets down the bases of a geography of the Anthropocene, i.e. a joint study of the human marks on the earth and the narratives that stakeholders and societies produce about them. The first part successively tackles the role played by insular territories in building conservation policies, the progressive naturalization of the Galapagos and the theoretical and methodological framework conducting our analysis. The second part deals with the way the geographical opening threw the archipelago into the Anthropocene, thus challenging conservation policies. The third part shows how nature and the insular issues pertain to multiform and multiscalar logics, leading to the archipelization of the Galapagos.

Understanding angiogenesis increases comprehension of pathological conditions such as tumor growth and peripheral artery disease. Angiogenesis is the growth of new vessels from pre-existing vessels and commonly associated with two modes: capillary sprouting and capillary splitting. Past observations in our laboratory provide evidence of vascular islands in the adult microcirculation. Vascular islands are defined as endothelial cell segments disconnected from nearby networks. The two objectives of this specific aim were to (1) determine if vascular islands are involved in angiogenesis during microvascular network growth, and (2) determine whether vascular islands associated with microvascular regression are involved in microvascular remodeling. Mesenteric tissues were harvested from adult male Wistar rats according to the experimental groups: unstimulated, post stimulation (3, 10 and 70 days), and 70 days post stimulation + restimulation (3 and 10 days). Stimulation was induced by mast cell degranulation via intraperitoneal injections of compound 48/80. Tissues were immunolabeled for PECAM (endothelial cells), NG2 (pericytes), collagen IV (basement membrane), and BrdU (proliferation). On day 3, the percentage of islands with at least one BrdU-positive cell increased compared to the unstimulated level and was equal to the percentage of capillary sprouts with at least one BrdU-positive cell. At day 10, the number of vascular islands per vascular area dramatically decreased compared to unstimulated and day 3 levels. Data collected independently for both aims showed that percent vascular area per tissue area and length density increased by day 10 post stimulation compared to the unstimulated group. At day 70, vascular area and length density were then decreased, indicating vascular regression compared to the day 10 levels. During regression at day 70, the number of islands increased. The disconnected endothelial cells were commonly bridged to surrounding networks by collagen IV labeling. NG2-positive pericytes were observed both along the islands and the collagen IV tracks. At 3 days post restimulation, vascular islands contained BrdU-positive cells. By day 10 post restimulation, when vascular area and length density were again increased, and the number of vascular islands was dramatically reduced. The result of this study suggest that (i) segment proliferation correlates with sprouting and network remodeling, (ii) blood vessel segments could provide a novel mode of endothelial cell presence in angiogenesis, (iii) blood vessel segments may be a reserve to connect with existing vasculature, and (iv) vascular islands originating during microvascular regression are capable of undergoing proliferation and incorporation into nearby networks during network regrowth. / acase@tulane.edu

'Social development' and 'economic development' are complex concepts, concepts that may be interpreted very differently in different contexts and at different times. Not only may the processes involved be different in different contexts, so too may be the criteria by which success is judged. It is argued here that successive Solomon Islands governments have striven for social and economic development without taking full account of the real nature of Solomon Islands society. What is needed is national development policy, planning and implementation that arise out of, and take fully into account, the historical, geographic and cultural context of Solomon Islands. On the whole, the socio-economic structure of Solomon Islands society is currently underpinned by a tri-partite hierarchy in which, for the majority of Solomon Islanders, kastom (traditional beliefs and practices) and church (the beliefs and practices endorsed by the church) take precedence over the state as legitimate forms of authority. This inevitably poses problems for state-led development. If socio-economic development activities are to be successful in achieving a better quality of life for all Solomon Islanders, including those who live in rural areas, they must take full account of the role of kastom and church in the lives of the people. This must include an understanding of the differing concepts of development of people in different areas of the country such as those of Ulawa islanders that are discussed here. The thesis begins with an introduction to the research (Chapter 1) in which the theoretical framework is located broadly within the postmodern paradigm. In Chapter 2 the essentially qualitative and interpretive nature of the methodology is outlined and explained. Chapter 3 provides a critical review of international development literature in which it is argued that official definitions and descriptions of development are based on production and deficit models. The need to accommodate an indigenous and organic concept of development, one that takes account of the diversity of human experience, is stressed. Chapter 4 provides an outline of Solomon Islands society. Here, the historical narrative is complemented by three metaphors - 'island', wantok and betelnut - which serve to reinforce and explain the nature of Solomon Islands society and the ways in which that society has been shaped by historical processes. Chapter 5 is devoted to a discussion of modern development activity in Solomon Islands, the main focus being on the period immediately preceding and following independence. Chapter 6 explores, with particular reference to Ulawa Island, indigenous concepts of development and the impact of national development activities on rural-dwelling islanders. It also engages the issue of state reform, proposing a model based on a two tier system, with central government in its current form dealing directly with the people at constituency rather than provincial level. Finally, Chapter 7 summarizes the main conclusions reached. It is noted that the failure of both pre- and post-independence governments to take full account of the nature of Solomon Islands society has been a major factor in the lack of effective development in the islands.

This study investigates issues impeding effective school leadership in Solomon Islands' secondary schools. In particular, it examines principals' perceptions of those issues that impede their effective leadership of their schools. There is an international literature focusing on this area that has contributed to the study. However, many of the research findings in western contexts are invalid in the context of a developing nation such as the Solomon Islands. Thus contextual specificity was an important underlying factor in the study. The research data was gathered using qualitative methods. Specifically, interviews with five principals were conducted using semi-structured interviews and was analysed using a thematic analysis approach. The research fieldwork was carried out in the Solomon Islands in August 2006. A sample of five participants was used. They were selected from five schools representing Community High Schools (CHS) and senior Provincial Secondary Schools (PSS) in two provinces and the Honiara City Council. The key findings of the study identify a range of factors that inhibit effective school leadership. These included a lack of initial training and support for on-going professional learning, unfavourable conditions of service, poor quality of teachers' professional practice, poor school facilities and infrastructure, poor administrative infrastructure, lack of appropriate and adequate financial resources, lack of support personnel, policy and systemic issues, social and cultural issues, and issues pertaining to school-community partnerships. Based on the findings identified in the study, recommendations were made on how to improve effective leadership of the schools throughout the Solomon Islands. Of particular importance is the establishment of professional development programmes for both newly appointed and servicing principals. Such programmes should enhance the leadership capacity of the principals in the schools and create a more conducive learning environment.

Fetal pig islet-like cell clusters (ICCs) were transplanted into the thymus or omentum of STZ-induced diabetic pigs immunosuppressed with cyclosporine (CsA) and deoxyspergualin (DSG), as a potential treatment for type 1 diabetes. C-peptide levels in response to glucagon and arginine significantly increased over time using 1 litter of ICCs with highest levels obtained at 100 days post-transplantation. Increasing the number of ICCs to 2 litters was not advantageous. Histology of the graft showed all 4 pancreatic endocrine cells. Normoglycaemia was achieved for transient periods without insulin administration in 4 out of 12 pigs. These results suggest sub-optimal insulin production, possibly due to the adverse effects of CsA on the grafted β cells. The effect of CsA on adult porcine β cells was investigated and adverse effects were shown. Renal toxicity and adverse changes to the haematological parameters did not occur despite high CsA levels although minimal toxicity to the liver was observed. The results indicate that the use of CsA monotherapy in the maintenance phase to prevent rejection of allografted pancreatic β cells may become a subsequent problem over time. As an alternative to chronic immunossuppression, anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody was administered for 10 days in pigs. Using anti-CD3 alone, only 1 out 4 pigs showed cells positive for insulin. The addition of a 5-day CsA course administered the day before transplantation did not promote allograft survival. The use of DSG for 10 days with anti-CD3 promoted graft survival with the histology showing the 4 endocrine cells 3 weeks post-transplantation. An attempt was made to replace any form of immunossuppression by encapsulating fetal pig ICCs in barium alginate, which were able to remain viable when transplanted in NOD/SCID mice. Fibrosis was detected in BALB/c mice transplanted with encapsulated fetal ICCs suggesting that fetal pig ICCs shed antigens that elicit an immune response. Results from this study show that although fetal pig ICCs may be a viable source of insulin-producing cells, the use of CsA to prevent rejection has adverse effects on graft function. Encapsulation as well as transient immunosuppression is worthy of further investigation to prevent rejection of fetal pig ICCs.

Rational magnetic flux surfaces in fusion (toroidal plasma confinement) devices can break the magnetic field lines and reconnect them in the form of magnetic islands. Formation of these magnetic islands can have a serious impact on the plasma confinement properties of the device. Islands can in general degrade the confinement by mixing up different regions of the plasma. However there has been experimental evidence of confinement improvement by island induced transport barriers, under certain conditions. Even though there are a large number of theoretical and experimental works on magnetic islands to date, there is clearly a paucity of convincing experimental understanding on the nature of behaviour of islands in plasma. This thesis reports detailed experimental studies conducted on the H-1NF heliac stellarator, to gain an in-depth understanding of magnetic islands and their influence in plasma confinement.¶ Work reported in this thesis can be mainly divided into three parts: (a) high resolution imaging of vacuum magnetic islands and flux surfaces of H-1NF, (b) accurate computer modeling of H-1NF magnetic geometry and (c) detailed experiments on magnetic islands in plasma configurations.¶ Electron-beam wire-tomography in the H-1NF has been used for the high resolution mapping of vacuum magnetic flux surfaces and islands. Point-to-point comparison of the mapping results with computer tracing, in conjunction with an image warping technique, has enabled systematic exploration of magnetic islands and surfaces of interest. A fast mapping technique has been developed, which significantly reduced the mapping time and made this technique suitable for mapping at higher magnetic fields.¶ Flux surface mapping has been carried out at various magnetic configurations and field strengths. The extreme accuracy of this technique has been exploited to understand the nature of error fields, by point-by-point matching with computer tracing results. This has helped in developing a best-fit computer model for H-1NF magnetic configurations, which can predict rotational transform correct to three decimal places. Results from plasma experiments on magnetic configuration studies are best explained by the new model.¶ Experiments with low order magnetic islands in plasma configurations yielded some new results. It has been observed that the low order magnetic islands (m = 2) near the core of the plasma serve as pockets of improved confinement region under favourable conditions. This results in significant profile modifications including enhancement of the radial electric field near the core to a large positive value. The characteristics of islands are found to be dependent on the plasma collisionality and the island width.¶ Experiments with a magnetic configuration which exhibits no vacuum islands, but the core rotational transform very close to low order rational value, show a spontaneous transition of the radial electric field near the core to a large positive value (nearly 5 kV/m), with a strong electric field shear (nearly 700 kV/m2) and localised improvement in confinement, during the discharge. Evidence indicates that the transition is driven by the excitation of low order magnetic islands near the axis during the plasma discharge, due to the modification of rotational transform profile by toroidal plasma currents. The situation is similar to the Core Electron-Root Confinement (CERC) observed during high temperature ECH plasma discharges on other helical devices. This result provides an experimental evidence for the hypothesis that the threshold conditions for observing CERC can be reduced by exciting magnetic islands near the core of the plasma.