Dual enrollment is one means of facilitating increased degree productivity, which can lead to the more educated workforce needed in today's society. This qualitative study was designed to obtain student perceptions about their dual enrollment experience, including how it impacted their decision to go to college and what comparisons they would make between their dual enrollment experience and their full university experience. Twenty-one students were interviewed via e-mail to provide responses that would help answer three research questions: 1.What are the initial experiences of dual enrollment students? 2.How does the dual enrollment experience impact the decision of high school graduates to attend college? 3.What comparisons can previous dual enrollment students make between the college experience they had in high school and the subsequent college experience as a full-time college student? Students who have participated in dual enrollment and subsequently matriculated to a university were provided an opportunity to give voice to their experiences, which were fairly positive. They also described characteristics that would be desirable of potential dual enrollment students and offered recommendations for students who are considering the dual enrollment experience. The findings of the research resulted in several recommendations for practice to those who make critical decisions in regards to these programs. These recommendations include further consideration of orientation sessions for students who are considering dual enrollment, developing or enhancing quality assurance measures for instruction and student outcomes, and establishing a network for dual enrollment students that will help bridge gaps in their collegiate experience.

Mångkultur har idag blivit ett begrepp för att tillskriva det svenska samhället ett visst tillstånd. I den här studien så utreds artiklar, bloggforum och SOU rapporter för att belysa hur svårt det är att föra ett kritiskt samtal kring det mångkulturella samhället. Ethno-Chic är en studie inom begreppet politisk korrekthet och dess diskursiva sammanhang i migrationsdebatten. Analysen leder till resonemanget att det politiskt korrekta har blivit en konsekvens av det antirasistiska, detta i sin tur har lett till att texter ständigt står under analys för vad som kan uppfattas som främlingsfientligt. / Ethno-Chic is a study of the discoursive appearance of the term political correctness in the Swedish debate on migration.

<p>Chemotherapy remains the only available treatment for triple-negative (TN) breast cancer. Although some TN breast cancers respond initially to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the majority of patients die within three years of treatment due to recurrent tumor growth. Developing ex vivo models for TN breast cancer recurrence and defining responsible molecules will be crucial to developing effective combination therapies for TN breast cancer patients. We have developed an in vitro model of TN breast cancer dormancy/recurrence. Short-term exposure of tumor cells to chemotherapy at clinically relevant doses enriches for a dormant tumor cell population. Several days after removing chemotherapy, dormant tumor cells regain proliferative ability and establish colonies, resembling tumor recurrence. Tumor cells from "recurrent" colonies exhibit increased chemotherapy resistance, resembling therapy resistance of recurrent tumors in patients. Furthermore, we identify a novel signaling axis [nuclear bFGF/DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK)] supported by chemotherapy-enriched dormant TN breast cancer cells. This signaling axis drives accelerated DNA repair in chemo-residual TN breast cancer cells. Targeting this axis with either with a bFGF shRNA or DNA-PK small molecule inhibitor blocks recurrent colony formation. Using the Oncomine gene expression database, we found that bFGF expression in tumor samples from TN breast cancer patients predicts five year tumor recurrence following neoadjuvant chemotherapy treatment. Finally, we demonstrate that recurrent tumor cells exhibit increased invasiveness, reflecting the aggressive behavior of recurrent tumors in patients. Collectively, these studies identify a novel signaling axis in TN breast cancer that likely contributes to tumor recurrence and provide molecular targets for developing future therapeutics against TN breast cancer.</p> / Dissertation

Ionizing radiation induces a range of different DNA lesions. In terms of mutation frequency and mammalian cell survival, the most critical of these lesions is the DNA double-strand break (DSB). DSB left unrepaired or mis-repaired may result in chromosomal aberrations that can lead to permanent genetic changes or cell death. The complexity of the DNA damage and the capacity to repair the DSB will determine the fate of the cell. This thesis focuses on the DNA damage formation, repair and signaling after irradiation of human cells. Radiation with high linear energy transfer (LET) produces clustered damaged sites in the DNA that are difficult for the cell to repair. Within these clustered sites, non-DSB lesions are formed that can be converted into a DSB and add to the damage complexity and affect DSB repair and the measurement. Heat-labile sites in DNA are converted into DSB at elevated temperatures. We show that heat-released DSB are formed post-irradiation with high-LET ions and increase the initial yield of DSB by 30%-40%, which is similar to yields induced by low-LET radiation. DNA-PKcs, a central player in non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ), the major mammalian DSB repair pathway, has been found to be both up- and downregulated in different tumor types. In Paper II we show that low levels of DNA-PKcs lead to extreme radiosensitivity but, surprisingly, had no effect on the DSB repair. However, the fraction of cells in G2/M phase increased two-fold in cells with low levels of DNA-PKcs. The study continued in Paper IV, where cells were synchronized to unmask potential roles of DNA-PKcs in specific cell cycle phases. Irradiation of DNA-PKcs suppressed cells in the G1/S phase caused a delay in cell cycle progression and an increase in accumulation of G2 cells. Further, these cells showed defects in DNA repair, where a significant amount of 53BP1 foci remained after 72 h. This further strengthens the hypothesis that DNA-PKcs has a role in regulation of mitotic progression. Several cellular signaling pathways are initiated in response to radiation. One of these downstream signaling proteins is AKT. We identified an interaction between DNA-PKcs and AKT. Knockouts of both AKT1 and AKT2 impaired DSB rejoining after radiation and low levels of DNA-PKcs increased radiosensitivity and decreased DNA repair further.

Genomic stability refers to an organism’s ability to maintain and pass forward its genetic information. There are a raft of proteins and pathways whose sole purpose is maintaining this stability through swiftly replicating DNA as well as accurately repairing damage caused through contact with endogenous and exogenous DNA damaging elements. This study will focus on the structural aspects of two proteins that play a part in different areas of genome maintenance. Flap Endonuclease 1 (FEN 1) works in DNA replication, where it is tasked with removing a small RNA flap that is created during Okazaki fragment formation. This flap removal is essential to mature these fragments into one continuous strand of nascent DNA. Using the archeon Pyrococcus abyssi (Pab) as a model system has the advantage of possessing simple replicative machinery, whilst bearing striking similarities with the human system. Pab is a hyperthermophilic, piezophile meaning it thrives in conditions of high temperature and pressure. DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) is a holoenzyme that plays a role in the Non Homologous End Joining (NHEJ) pathway by repairing DNA double strand breaks (DSB’s). In cancer therapy, a patient is exposed to DNA damaging elements, leading to an ever-increasing population of DSBs. If an inhibitor of DNA-PKcs were introduced along with this therapy it could potentiate its effect, as the cancerous cells will be less able to repair the damage. The aim of this part of the study is to determine a protocol to generate pure, soluble, correctly folded protein for the purposes of biophysical characterisation and X-ray crystallographic structural studies.

Det råder en ständig kamp om huruvida begreppet politisk korrekthet, eller kanske mer förekommande i folkmun - PK, är positivt eller negativt laddat och sällan har väl meningsmotståndare varit mer oense. Är politisk korrekthet något som krävs för att inkludera alla människor och understryka allas lika värde? Eller är det tvärtom något som är exkluderande och som censurerar åsikter i offentligheten? De olika åsiktslägren har svårt att förstå varandra och denna studie syftar till att undersöka hur företrädare för politisk korrekthet framställer begreppet i den svenska offentligheten. Detta för att besvara om det är begreppets innebörd, alltså att ha åsikter i linje med rådande politisk tanke och politik, eller sättet det uttrycks på som format den starkt oförenliga synen på politisk korrekthet i Sverige samt hur det kan forma den offentliga debatten. Vi har undersökt detta genom åtta argumenterande texter (i fortsättningen debattartiklar) som är för politisk korrekthet. Dessa har valts från tidningarna Aftonbladet och Svenska Dagbladets ledarsida, kultursida eller debattsida och analyserats med kritisk diskursanalys både som teoretisk ram och som metod. Vi har utgått från Norman Faircloughs modell av kritisk diskursanalys som syftar till att belysa sociokulturella processer genom att undersöka hur en text är uppbyggd och kompletterat denna med Elisabeth Noelle-Neumanns teori Tystnadsspiralen och Jürgen Habermas offentlighetsteori. Genom kritisk diskursanalys som metod har vi i huvudsak studerat modaliteten i debattartiklarna, alltså skribenternas inställning till och grad av instämmande i en sats, för att förstå hur detta kan forma debatten. Vår undersökning visade att modaliteten i de valda debattartiklarna är övervägande bestämd och till synes objektiv. Påståenden framställs till stor del som sanningar vilket, utifrån tidigare forskning att utgå ifrån, kan bidra till att mottagare känner sig hotade och dessutom eventuellt ofrivilligt inkluderade med ordval som “vi” eller “våra”. De kan då svara med att tydligt vända sig mot detta och avfärda argument och åsikter som politiskt korrekta. Utifrån resultatet av vår analys kunde vi även dra slutsatsen att teorin Tystnadsspiralen brister i denna fråga, då det snarare ses som heroiskt än skamligt att uttrycka en minoritetsåsikt som i detta fall inte går i linje med det politiskt korrekta.

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Abstract The purpose of the present study is to build a theoretically based and empirically grounded framework that enables a better understanding of corporate rebranding processes among small companies. Corporate rebranding is addressed from a visual viewpoint concentrating on changes to corporate name and logo. The theoretical background is based on corporate branding, corporate rebranding and organisational change literature. The research setting is small software companies that operate in B2B markets. The empirical part is conducted as a multiple case study of three cases by gathering data both before and after corporate name changes. The main data gathering method was narrative interviews supported by several specifying interviews and secondary data. The results are first presented as narratives followed by process descriptions and finally combined into an empirically grounded processual framework for corporate rebranding. First, context-related characteristics influencing and reasons for corporate rebranding are revealed. Second, sub-processes of corporate rebranding are presented during three different time periods; 1) before establishing the company, 2) after establishing the company during the time when the original corporate name is in use and 3) after establishing the company when the new corporate name is in use. Third, outputs of corporate rebranding are described in the forms of the new name and logo. For small business managers the study offers four interesting findings. First, developing a new corporate name in company is cheap but may take several years. Using marketing communications agencies may result in a faster process, but in that case, the cost implications should be accepted. Second, the company should inform its stakeholders of the forthcoming name change for two reasons: 1) stakeholders may provide ideas for a new name; and 2) proactively spreading information on a forthcoming name change may avoid misunderstandings, for example, rumours of bankruptcy, when the name change is executed. Third, encouraging stakeholders to invent a new name and evaluate the potential new name may help to ensure that the new name will not cause any unwanted associations. Fourth, in launching the new name electronic devices may be far more cost-effective than expensive marketing communications campaigns to communicate the change. / Tiivistelmä Tämän tutkimuksen tarkoituksena on luoda teorioihin perustuva ja empiirisesti perusteltu viitekehys, joka auttaa ymmärtämään yrityksen uudelleenbrändäykseen liittyviä prosesseja pienissä yritysmarkkinoilla toimivissa (B2B) ohjelmistoyrityksissä. Yritysbrändäys nähdään visuaalisesta näkökulmasta, ja sillä tarkoitetaan yrityksen nimen ja logon vaihtamista. Tutkimuksen teoreettinen tausta on rakennettu yritysbrändäystä, yrityksen uudelleenbrändäystä ja organisaation muutosta käsittelevien kirjallisuuksien perusteella. Empiirinen osa on toteutettu kolmen tapauksen tapaustutkimuksena. Ensisijainen aineistonkeruumenetelmä ovat narratiiviset haastattelut, joilla tuotetaan haastateltavien omia tarinoita tutkitusta ilmiöstä. Näitä tuetaan useilla tarkentavilla haastatteluilla ja kirjallisella aineistolla. Tulokset esitetään ensin narratiiveina, sen jälkeen prosessikuvioina ja lopuksi empiirisesti perusteltuna viitekehyksenä yrityksen uudelleenbrändäysprosesseista. Viitekehys koostuu kolmesta osasta: 1) yrityksen uudelleenbräyksen syyt ja siihen vaikuttavat kontekstin erityispiirteet, 2) yrityksen uudelleenbrändäyksen alaprosessit i) ennen yrityksen perustamista sekä sen perustamisen jälkeen ii) aikana jolloin yrityksen alkuperäinen nimi on käytössä ja iii) aikana jolloin yrityksen uusi nimi on käytössä, sekä 3) yrityksen uudelleenbrändäyksen lopputulema, eli uusi yritysnimi ja logo. Tutkimus tarjoaa pienyrittäjille neljä tärkeää näkökulmaa. Ensinnäkin, uuden yritysnimen kehittäminen itse on edullista, mutta sopivan nimen löytäminen voi tällöin kestää vuosia. Markkinointiviestintätoimisto voi tuottaa nimen nopeammin, mutta silloin on hyväksyttävä siitä aiheutuvat kustannukset. Toiseksi, yritysten kannattaa informoida tärkeitä sidosryhmiään mahdollisesta tulevasta nimen muutoksesta jo ennakkoon kahdesta syystä: 1) sidosryhmät voivat auttaa nimen keksimisessä, ja 2) näin voidaan välttää väärinkäsityksiä (mm. konkurssiepäilyt) varsinaiseen nimenvaihtamiseen liittyen. Kolmanneksi, kun sidosryhmät osallistuvat nimen kehittämiseen ja nimiehdotusten arviointiin, voidaan kartoittaa ja välttää ei-toivottuja assosiaatioita nimeen liittyen. Neljänneksi, suurten markkinointiviestintäkampanjoiden sijasta uuden nimen lanseeraamisessa kannattaa pohtia elektronisten viestintävälineiden käyttämistä.

This study assesses elephant induced damage and mortality of baobab and common star-chestnut trees in the northern Kruger National Park. Comparisons are made between the populations north and south of the Luvuvhu River. The density, population size and age structure are estimated. The population structure of neither species has been shaped by elephant utilisation. While the baobab population has a healthy age distribution, that of the star-chestnut population shows that recruitment has declined in recent decades. Utilisation has been found to be higher in the south as a result of higher elephant densities, although recently damage has been greater in the north. Damage increases with tree size. The mortality of baobabs is lower than in other areas where elephants and baobabs co-exist. Elephants are not playing a significant role in mortality of either tree species and management of factors other than elephant is required to improve regeneration rates of these species. / Dissertation (MSc (Wildlife Management))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

The diploma thesis analyzes the loyalty program at Next PK Ltd. and is focused on research of the loyalty program of this company. Its aim is to analyze the loyalty program and its perception by the loyalty customers. The thesis is divided into six parts -- an introduction, a part about Next PK s.r.o., a theoretical part, a methodological part, a practical part and a conclusion. The theoretical part consists of characteristic of satisfaction, loyalty and loyalty programs. The methodology section describes the method of investigation and also the methodology for evaluating the research. The practical part consists of a survey among loyalty customers in Next where the goal is to analyze the customers' satisfaction or dissatisfaction. The conclusion contains a summary of the investigation and recommendations regarding functioning of the loyalty program Next.