The metabolic disorder diabetes; is a global epidemic affecting people in developed countries and increasingly in developing countries. In two decades time, 350 million people will be diabetic at the current rate of prevalence. In a preliminary study, insulin resistant rats were treated with Prunus Africana (plant A) for 28 days. Plasma samples obtained from P. africana treated rats had increased insulin levels compared to normal and untreated insulin resistant rats (Karachi, 2009). The treatment of insulin resistant rats with P. africana also showed increased glucose uptake in rat adipose tissue (Karachi, 2009), suggesting that P. africana had anti-diabetic properties. The aim of the study was to investigate the mechanism of the anti-diabetic properties of P africana extract. Increased insulin secretion was confirmed by the increased Cpeptide concentration in plasma samples of rats treated with P. africana. In order to explain the high insulin levels, several hypothesis’ were investigated: (1) P. africana may increase insulin secretion in β cells, hence the effect of P. africana on insulin secretion by INS-1 cells was investigated; (2) P. africana may increase insulin secretion by prolonging the half-life of glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) by decreasing dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) activity; the effect of P. africana on DPP IV activity was determined spectrophotometrically, (3) P. africana may increase the half-life of insulin in the plasma by decreasing the activity of insulin degrading enzyme (IDE); the effect of P. africana on IDE in rat muscle and spleen samples was investigated. To explain the increased glucose uptake in adipose tissue observed in the previous study two parameters were investigated: (1) increased GLUT4 expression in P. africana treated rats; the effect of P. africana treatment on the expression of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) was determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), (2) P. africana may increase glucose utilization; the effect of P. africana on glucose utilization was determined in 3T3-L1 cells. The plant extract did not significantly increase insulin secretion by INS-1 cells in the absence of glucose. P. africana decreased DPP IV activity in rat plasma when compared to the untreated insulin resistant rats and this could be a mechanism by which insulin secretion is increased during plant treatment. P. africana decreased IDE activity (however not significantly) when compared to the untreated insulin resistant The effects of a Kenyan antidiabetic plant on insulin homeostasis KY Suleiman VII rats. P. africana appeared to have no effect on GLUT4 expression. The plant appeared to increase glucose utilization in 3T3-L1 cells in the absence of insulin suggesting that P. africana may have insulin like activity. In summary, this study indicates that P. africana is indirectly involved in inhibiting DDPIV. This in turn can increase the half life of GLP-1, which in turn can enhance the secretion of insulin. P. africana increases glucose utilization although there was no evidence that the GLUT 4 transporter has a higher expression in the plant treated rats. Further studies should be conducted to investigate the expression of GLUT1 under the same conditons.

The main purpose of this study was to explore, analyze and reflect on the meaning, nature, causes and associated dynamics of change in higher education within a Pakistani cultural context. Resistance was a major component of understanding this change. I focused on multiple factors that induced individual/group tendencies to resist or avoid making changes and to devalue change generally. This study employed a multiple case study approach. Semi-structured interviews with designated stakeholders of the planned change initiative were the primary data-collection method. Document analysis, members check and observations were used to triangulate the interview data. The data were analyzed on an ongoing basis. The findings revealed the complex dimensions of participants’ compliance and/or resistance with respect to change at the beginning of the twenty-first century when the Pakistani higher education system was shifting dramatically from a local to global perspective. Despite serious issues and weaknesses, change was gradual over time and the most strongly contested reforms were those that did not align with existing practices. In sum, the findings support the notion that change is complicated, and that the reasons for this complexity stem from factors that are structural, emotional, political and personal. The results of this study will be of interest to administrators and educators as they prepare for future challenges within the Pakistani context. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed, and directions for future research are identified.

While many African governments have made legislative changes to the formal economic institution of land law in order to strengthen land tenure security, very few have seen these changes take hold (Bruce & Knox, 2009). This thesis demonstrates that Uganda is no exception. In exploring the interactions between the formal, informal, political, economic and social institutions which influence land tenure behaviour in Uganda, and how decentralization impacts this institutional structure, this thesis offers a first step in understanding how state-led land reforms can be undercut at the local level, causing unintended outcomes. From reinforcing the legitimacy of informal customary tenure systems to fostering inter-ethnic competition, the District of Kayunga demonstrates how Uganda’s 1998 Land Reform has created unexpected impacts that continue to impede its implementation. It also offers ideas on how failed institutional adaptations may impact local perceptions of land tenure security. This thesis also investigates and pushes the boundaries of New Institutional Economic (NIE) theory. It explores how decentralization within a formal economic institution can influence informal social and political institutions to create complex and ever evolving incentive structures. It also examines the role of organizations and individuals in an effort to understand the intersection between these two categories of actors and the institutional structure. Fluid interactions whereby organizations and individuals are incentivized by institutions, but also resist and adapt to institutional change, demonstrate the added complexity of organization-institution interdependency within the NIE framework.

Black females achieve high standards of success, yet their lived experiences are frequently absent from educational literature in Canada. Using narratives gathered through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, this thesis documents the navigational strategies adopted by four Black female students to achieve academic success in learning environments that often predicted their failure. The narratives highlight the factors the girls believed contributed to their academic success, how they conceptualized their identity and the role(s) their identity played in their schooling experiences and academic success. Contrary to deficiencies that are often highlighted in studies on the schooling experiences of Black students, using feminist theory, critical race theory and antiracism, coupled with resistance theory shed light on the positive aspects of these Black females’ schooling experiences in Ontario. Such an approach disrupts negative views of Black students as lagging behind in education in Canada. Disseminating the narratives of successful students provides real life examples for other students to imitate in pursuit of academic success amidst educational and societal barriers. On a macro level, these narratives provide education policy makers with different perspectives on how students struggled to achieve academic success within a system that promised to be accessible to all students.

Phytochemical and enzymatic experiments were conducted to study the metabolism of phenolic compounds in the cotyledons of flax (Linum usitatissimum L. ‘Koto’) infected with strains #3. and #210 of flax rust (Melampsora lini Pers. Lév.). The primary objective was to further the understanding of the role of phenolic compounds in the host-parasite relationship with respect to resistance and susceptibility. The phenolic constituents of flax include about 14 esters and glycosides of cinnamic acids, viz., p-coumaric, caffeic, ferulic and sinapic acids, and 8 glycosides of flavones, 4 of which are of the apigenin-type and 4 of the luteolin-type. Most of the cinnamic acid derivatives have a free hydroxyl group and would therefore be good substrates for oxidation. Except for an initial drop, the total soluble phenolic content in infected resistant tissue was always higher than in the healthy control or in infected susceptible tissue. This quantitative change in phenolic content after infection supports the involvement of phenolics in resistance. Tracer studies showed that the metabolism of phenylalanine in flax follows the order cinnamic → p-coumaric → caffeic → ferulic acids. There was no qualitative change in the pathway of phenylalanine metabolism after infection. The incorporation of phenylalanine-U-(14)C into phenolic compounds was higher in the resistant combination than in the healthy control or the susceptible combination. The resistant reacting tissue also showed the highest conversion of monohydric phenols into dihydric phenols. On the other hand, incorporation of phenylalanine-U-(14)C into protein was highest in the susceptible combination. There was a higher accumulation of radioactivity from phenylalanine-U-(14)C into ethanol-insoluble, non-proteinaceous material around the lesions in the resistant than in the susceptible combination. These findings are in agreement with the hypothesis that, after infection, there is an enhanced flow of aromatic amino acids into protein synthesis in the susceptible tissue whereas in the resistant reacting tissues there is a shift in favour of phenolic metabolism. The enhancement of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase by as much as 5-fold in the resistant tissue at 2 days after inoculation also supports the above hypothesis. The activities of peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and β-glucosidase were also enhanced in the resistant combination, whereas in the susceptible combination polyphenol oxidase and β-glucosidase activities were lower than in the healthy control. There was a sequential enhancement of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, total soluble phenolic content and polyphenol oxidase in the resistant reacting tissue. These results suggest that oxidation of phenolic compounds is important for resistance and that the suppression of the oxidative enzyme, polyphenol, oxidase, may be essential for the survival of the pathogen in this biotroph-host combination. The evidence suggests that phenolic metabolism plays an important role in resistance and susceptibility in host-parasite relations. It is very likely that phenolic compounds and their oxidative products only execute the job of resistance. The triggering mechanism for the enhancement of phenolic metabolism, which remains unknown, and the mechanisms by which phenolic metabolites act against the pathogen are discussed. / Land and Food Systems, Faculty of / Graduate

Class of 2008 Abstract / Objectives: To evaluate changes in parental knowledge regarding antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance with an educational intervention given at elementary school parent-teacher association (PTA) meetings. Methods: This was an analytical pre-test/post-test study of an educational intervention given at two elementary schools in the Phoenix metro area. The primary dependent variable was a knowledge measure, calculated as a total score. The changes between the pre- and post-test total score means were compared using a dependent t-test. The a-priori alpha level used was 0.05. Results: The study sample consisted of 25 participants. Study data were collected between September 2007 and December 2007. The mean (SD) pre- and post-test scores were 33.7 (4.4) and 40.7 (2.7), respectively (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The educational intervention presented at elementary school PTA meetings resulted in a significant knowledge increase regarding the appropriate use of antibiotics when pre- and post-test scores were compared.

Le Comité parisien de la libération est l'institution chargée de coordonner les efforts de la Résistance et préparer la prise du pouvoir dans le département de la Seine. Créé en octobre 1943, le CPL est pendant toute son existence tiraillé entre prérogatives locales et dimension nationale de son territoire. Les contradictions propres à la coordination de forces aux objectifs et pratiques divers, parfois contradictoires, façonnent également l'action du CPL, en particulier les oppositions entre communistes et non communistes. Le CPL est également soumis à la surveillance de tutelles nationales, le CNR et la Délégation générale du CFLN. Au cours de l'insurrection d'août 1944, ces contradictions menacent de briser l'unité au sein du CPL, qui connaît alors la plus grave crise de son existence.Toutefois, le CPL est le principal architecte de la prise du pouvoir dans les mairies de Paris et de banlieue. Le CPL pousse à la création des comités locaux de libération dans chaque arrondissement et chaque commune du département qui, entre le 19 et le 24 août 1944, s'emparent du pouvoir municipal sans difficultés ce qui représente une incontestable réussite politique.Un bouleversement suit cette insurrection puisque le CPL et les CLL deviennent des acteurs de la restauration des institutions républicaines et dépositaires de l'autorité publique dans un contexte difficile. Les élections municipales d'avril-mai 1945 marquent la fin de leur existence officielle. Malgré la volonté de certains d'entre eux de continuer à être des inspirateurs du pouvoir politique, leur rôle se réduit alors progressivement jusqu'à disparaître ou devenir des associations portant la mémoire de la Résistance. / The Paris Committee of Liberation is the institution in charge of the coordination of the Resistance efforts and the preparation of the seizure of power in the department of the Seine. Established in October 1943, the CPL is all his life long torn between its local prerogatives and the national dimension of its territory. The coordination of various stakeholders with different and even contradictory goals and practices also determine the CPL actions, particularly the opposition between communists and non-communists. The CPL is also controlled by supervisory authorities, the CNR and the General Delegation of the CFLN. During the insurrection of August 1944, these contradictions threaten to destroy the unity within the CPL, then going through his most serious crisis.However, the CPL is the main architect of the taking over of power in the town councils of Paris and the suburbs. The CPL is the creator of local committees in each district and each municipality of the department. Between the 19th and the 24th of August 1944, those committes took over the municipal power without difficulty, which was an undeniable political success.A period of upheavals follows the insurrection, as the CPL and the CLL become major actors in the restoration of republican institutions, but are also in charge of the public authority in a difficult context. The municipal elections of April-May 1945 put an end to their official existence. Despite the will of some of the CPL and CLL members to keep on influencing the political life, their role is going to gradually decrease until their disappearance or their transformation into societies in charge of the remembrance of the Resistance.

The evaluation of groundwater quality has become increasingly important as more industrial waste and solid domestic refuse comes into contact with groundwater. Often the quantity and extent of contamination is determined by direct sampling of the groundwater and soil. An alternative method of detecting contaminated groundwater is by noting the electrical resistivity of the contaminated soil. The feasibility of logging resistivity while conducting cone penetrometer testing has been investigated in this research. To this end a two stage program was devised, consisting of lab testing and then field tests of a working tool. Lab testing was carried out using a prototype probe designed to evaluate the feasibility of the project. The lab testing consisted of determining the resistivity of a number of different soil, electrolyte, and organic contaminant mixtures while varying the configuration of the probe. On the basis of lab testing the necessary requirements for the module dimensions and electronics were chosen and were fine tuned by field tests. The module itself consists of an insulated four electrode array and is mounted behind a standard 15 sq cm piezo-cone (CPTU). Upon completion of the development phase the instrument was tested at four different sites. From field testing it was determined that the resistivity cone (RCPTU) was able to accurately map changes in groundwater chemistry on the basis of resistivity measurements. The results of the resistivity testing were verified by groundwater sampling. It was also found that changes in lithological properties, as determined by the cone penetration test (CPT), could influence the resistivity. Basic guidelines for the use of the RCPTU in contaminant investigations are presented. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Civil Engineering, Department of / Graduate

M.Tech. (Medical Technology) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

This study examined the longitudinal relationship between repetitions in reserve (RIR) and average concentric velocity (ACV) in the back squat and bench press exercises. Fourteen resistance-trained men were randomized into two groups (4-6RIR or 1-3RIR) and completed a six-week program. The RIR/ACV slope was significantly greater (p<0.001) in the bench press (0.027±}0.001m.s-1) than squat (0.020±}0.001m.s-1), and was steeper in 1-3RIR than 4-6RIR (p<0.001). The RIR/ACV relationship varied from set-to-set (p=0.001); however, the largest difference in ACV at the same RIR from set-to-set was only 0.044 m.s-1; likely not practically meaningful. The RIR/ACV relationship changed over time (p=0.004); however, since training was not to failure, it is unclear if this longitudinal change was due to improved RIR accuracy or a true change in the RIR/ACV relationship. Therefore, the RIR/ACV relationship is exercise-specific and practically stable from set-to-set; however, future research is needed to determine the long-term stability of this relationship. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2021. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection