Thesis (D. Min.)--Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2006. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 139-149).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 1999. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 402-414). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Adenylyl cyclases are key points for the concurrent integration of diverse signaling pathways. Controlling production of the second messenger cAMP, adenylyl cyclases provide an important mechanism for the regulation of physiological functions by amplifying signaling events to stimulate downstream effectors. While different isoforms of adenylyl cyclase exhibit distinct patterns of expression and regulation, of particular interest are two groups of Ca2+ regulated isoforms that are highly expressed in the central nervous system. Adenylyl cyclase type 5 (AC5) is a Ca2+ inhibited isoform that is highly expressed in the striatum, and whose activity is involved in the regulation of movement, pain, and metabolism. Adenylyl cyclase type 8 (AC8) is stimulated by Ca2+ in a calmodulin dependent manner, and appears to be involved with long-term memory, anxiety, and reward pathways. Studying the signaling characteristics of these adenylyl cyclase isoforms is necessary for improving our scientific understanding of biological pathways, as well identifying therapeutic targets that can be exploited for treatment of disease. In this work, we investigated changes in the protein interaction network of AC5 following prolonged Gi/o-mediated inhibition that results in heterologous sensitization. The diversity of signaling pathways and multitude of protein interactions that have been implicated in the development of the heterologous sensitization response prompted the development of a novel screening strategy to capture and identify AC5-protein interactions which occur following prolonged Gi/o-mediated inhibition. We utilized bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) in conjunction with fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) and Next Generation sequencing to capture, identify, and characterize novel AC5 interacting partners. We further studied the effects of increased AC5 activity by functionally characterizing a series of gain-of-function mutations that have been identified in patients diagnosed with Familial Dyskinesia and Facial Myokymia (FDFM). Our results demonstrate that the AC5 mutants exhibit enhanced activity to Gs-mediated stimulation and reduced inhibition by Gi/o-coupled receptors. We further suggest that this dysregulation of AC5 in striatal medium spiny neurons likely results in an imbalance in the direct and indirect striatal signaling pathways that coordinate the initiation and maintenance of movement. Genetic models of AC8 regulation have implicated its activity in signaling pathways that may regulate comorbid long-term anxiety and ethanol consumption. Therefore, we developed and conducted a high-throughput screen and validation paradigm of small molecules for the discovery of AC8 selective inhibitors. The screening effort identified two lead compounds that demonstrate enhanced efficacy and selectivity over AC1 compared to currently available adenylyl cyclase inhibitors.

Projeções dos eventos severos/extremos relacionados às mudanças climáticas têm sido cada vez mais socialmente debatidas e servido de subsídio para a intensificação das discussões e compromissos multilaterais no âmbito das Conferências das Partes (COPs). Como desdobramento disso, aumenta o número de países que, ao nível nacional, se dedicam à construção de políticas públicas para lidar preparativamente com os eventos projetados, os quais, em muitos casos, já estão ocorrendo. Inseridos de forma subordinada no âmbito dessas discussões multilaterais estão os países denominados pelas Nações Unidas como \"Menos Avançados\", assim classificados por possuírem limitadas capacidades institucionais para diagnosticar e lidar com essas situações adversas. Tais países têm sido contemplados por meio de diferentes programas com fundos ambientais para auxiliá-los na elaboração e implementação de seus respectivos Planos Nacionais de Adaptação às Mudanças do Clima (PANA/NAPA, este último na sua sigla em inglês). O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a dimensão sociopolítica da construção do Plano Nacional de Adaptação às Mudanças do Clima (PANA) da Guiné-Bissau. Através de uma perspectiva sociológica, problematizamos aspectos da lógica operativa, de caráter sociopolítico, através dos quais o Estado guineense se constitui e estabelece sua interlocução, de um lado, na arena multilateral de COPs e, de outro, junto aos seus povos constituintes quando estes vivenciam os desastres ditos \"naturais\". Tendo como base o processo histórico que forjou um Estado nacional socialmente excludente, fez-se uma análise transescalar de três níveis das relações de poder, a saber: o que considera a posição do Estado guineense frente às forças multilaterais de desenvolvimento e do ambiente; o que demarca as características da interação do Estado com as ONGs e demais parceiros que auxiliam na consecução das políticas socioambientais; e, por fim, o nível local, onde as comunidades sofrem os reflexos e as injunções dos níveis superiores por meio de embates e alianças. Para a realização da pesquisa, adotamos três procedimentos qualitativos básicos, a saber: um levantamento bibliográfico, um levantamento documental e a pesquisa de campo. / Prognostics of severe and extreme events related to climate change have been increasingly socially debated and supported the multilateral discussions and commitments in UNFCCC Conferences of the Parties (COPs). Subsequently, it has increased the number of countries that, on national level, dedicate themselves to the task of building public policies to cope with the predicted events, which are often considered to be already in course. In the multilateral discussions, inserted, but in a subordinate way, are the \"Least Developed Countries\", as denominated by the United Nations, so classified for having limited institutional capacity to diagnose and manage adverse conditions. Such countries have been granted with environmental support from different programs to assist in the preparation and implementation of the National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPA). This study has the objective of analysing the socio-political dimension of the construction of the National Adaptation Programme of Action of Guinea-Bissau. From a sociological perspective, it is discussed aspects of the operative logic, of socio-political character, which the Guinean state is built on and establishes its interactions, in one side, with the multilateral arena of COPs, and, on the other, with its own peoples when they experience the so-called \"natural\" disasters. From the foundations of the historical process that led to a socially excluding national state, this study makes a cross-scale analysis of three levels of power relations, namely: (a) one that considers the position of Guinea-Bissau when facing multilateral forces of economic and environmental development; (b) one that delimits the characteristic of the interaction between the national state and the NGOs and additional partners which assist in the planning/implementation of socioenvironmental policies; (c) the one in the local level, where the communities suffer the consequences and impositions from superior levels, by means of conflicts and alliances. This research has adopted three qualitative research methods: bibliographic research, documentary research, and field research.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2008. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 95-99). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 236-253).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2006. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 139-149).

Two significant pieces of legislation in California have mandated that cities and counties must reduce their waste streams. Assembly Bill 341 establishes that California must divert 75% of its waste from landfills by the year 2020. The first bill that included composting, Assembly Bill 1826, was passed in 2014 and requires that commercial users enact composting beginning in 2016. These initiatives have led cities and counties to seek ways of implementing composting programs. Using the City of Napa as a case study, this thesis argues that a composting program can be integrated into any existing waste hauling service. Although there are some challenges, including effectively reaching all residents eligible for the program and finding ways to encourage people to change waste disposal habits, other communities should be able to adopt Napa’s model. Napa’s program should act as an outline for other communities to develop similar outreach strategies, public education initiatives, and pilot programs. Once implemented, cities can continue creating a sustainable community through the use of new technologies. Not only will creating a composting program allow cities and counties to be in compliance with Assembly Bill 1826, it will also offer benefits that extend beyond the local scope, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Projeções dos eventos severos/extremos relacionados às mudanças climáticas têm sido cada vez mais socialmente debatidas e servido de subsídio para a intensificação das discussões e compromissos multilaterais no âmbito das Conferências das Partes (COPs). Como desdobramento disso, aumenta o número de países que, ao nível nacional, se dedicam à construção de políticas públicas para lidar preparativamente com os eventos projetados, os quais, em muitos casos, já estão ocorrendo. Inseridos de forma subordinada no âmbito dessas discussões multilaterais estão os países denominados pelas Nações Unidas como \"Menos Avançados\", assim classificados por possuírem limitadas capacidades institucionais para diagnosticar e lidar com essas situações adversas. Tais países têm sido contemplados por meio de diferentes programas com fundos ambientais para auxiliá-los na elaboração e implementação de seus respectivos Planos Nacionais de Adaptação às Mudanças do Clima (PANA/NAPA, este último na sua sigla em inglês). O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a dimensão sociopolítica da construção do Plano Nacional de Adaptação às Mudanças do Clima (PANA) da Guiné-Bissau. Através de uma perspectiva sociológica, problematizamos aspectos da lógica operativa, de caráter sociopolítico, através dos quais o Estado guineense se constitui e estabelece sua interlocução, de um lado, na arena multilateral de COPs e, de outro, junto aos seus povos constituintes quando estes vivenciam os desastres ditos \"naturais\". Tendo como base o processo histórico que forjou um Estado nacional socialmente excludente, fez-se uma análise transescalar de três níveis das relações de poder, a saber: o que considera a posição do Estado guineense frente às forças multilaterais de desenvolvimento e do ambiente; o que demarca as características da interação do Estado com as ONGs e demais parceiros que auxiliam na consecução das políticas socioambientais; e, por fim, o nível local, onde as comunidades sofrem os reflexos e as injunções dos níveis superiores por meio de embates e alianças. Para a realização da pesquisa, adotamos três procedimentos qualitativos básicos, a saber: um levantamento bibliográfico, um levantamento documental e a pesquisa de campo. / Prognostics of severe and extreme events related to climate change have been increasingly socially debated and supported the multilateral discussions and commitments in UNFCCC Conferences of the Parties (COPs). Subsequently, it has increased the number of countries that, on national level, dedicate themselves to the task of building public policies to cope with the predicted events, which are often considered to be already in course. In the multilateral discussions, inserted, but in a subordinate way, are the \"Least Developed Countries\", as denominated by the United Nations, so classified for having limited institutional capacity to diagnose and manage adverse conditions. Such countries have been granted with environmental support from different programs to assist in the preparation and implementation of the National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPA). This study has the objective of analysing the socio-political dimension of the construction of the National Adaptation Programme of Action of Guinea-Bissau. From a sociological perspective, it is discussed aspects of the operative logic, of socio-political character, which the Guinean state is built on and establishes its interactions, in one side, with the multilateral arena of COPs, and, on the other, with its own peoples when they experience the so-called \"natural\" disasters. From the foundations of the historical process that led to a socially excluding national state, this study makes a cross-scale analysis of three levels of power relations, namely: (a) one that considers the position of Guinea-Bissau when facing multilateral forces of economic and environmental development; (b) one that delimits the characteristic of the interaction between the national state and the NGOs and additional partners which assist in the planning/implementation of socioenvironmental policies; (c) the one in the local level, where the communities suffer the consequences and impositions from superior levels, by means of conflicts and alliances. This research has adopted three qualitative research methods: bibliographic research, documentary research, and field research.

Havsnivån stiger över hela världen på grund av termisk expansion och smältande glaciärer orsakade av den globala uppvärmningen. Maldiverna och Kiribati är några av de lägst liggande atolländerna i världen vilket gör dem särskilt utsatta för den förväntade havsnivåhöjningen. Denna uppsats undersöker vilka skillnader som finns i Maldivernas och Kiribatis klimatanpassningsstrategier vad gäller ekologisk, social och ekonomisk hållbarhet genom en kvalitativ innehållsanalys av deras respektive National Adaptation Programme of Action- dokument (NAPA). NAPA identifierar och beskriver de mest angelägna anpassningsprojekten i varje land. Genom att identifiera huruvida anpassningsprojekten är hållbara kan mer effektiva strategier implementeras i framtiden. Resultatet visar att flera anpassningsprojekt har misslyckats med att integrera alla tre aspekter av hållbar utveckling, vilket kan ha bidragit till ett ohållbart genomförande av klimatanpassningsåtgärder, medan vissa projekt även visar att det är möjligt att framgångsrikt integrera alla aspekter av hållbar utveckling. / Sea levels are rising around the globe due to thermal expansion and melting glaciers caused by global warming. The Maldives and Kiribati are some of the lowest lying atoll countries in the world, which makes them particularly vulnerable to the projected sea level rise. This thesis investigates what differences exist in the adaptation strategies for the Maldives and Kiribati, in terms of ecological, social and economic sustainability, through a qualitative content analysis of their respective National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) documents. The NAPAs identify and describe the most urgent adaptation projects in each country. By identifying whether the adaptation projects are sustainable, more effective strategies can be implemented in the future. The results show that several adaptation projects fail to incorporate all three aspects of sustainable development, which may have contributed to unsustainable implementation of climate change adaptation measures, whereas some projects also show that it is possible to successfully integrate all aspects of sustainable development.