archives@tulane.edu / Post-Soviet countries in Central Asia are imprinted by a unique historical legacy which continually complicate their development choices. This is a case study of post-Soviet development, as seen through the lens of the Kyrgyz Republic. The Kyrgyz Republic has faced repeated shocks and experienced transitory periods of food insecurity in the recent past. To understand these development phenomena, this research mixed quantitative and qualitative components in a multi-phase design to examine seasonal aspects of staple food price spikes and the impact of dominant Kyrgyz livelihood activities. Concentric elements of Sustainable Livelihoods approaches, New Economics of Labor Migration, and Sustainable Human Development provided a theoretical base for investigation. Phase I examined staple food price patterns and available Kyrgyz household-level survey data via quantitative analysis for links to seasonal periods of transitory food insecurity. Phase II used qualitative surveys and profiles collected within Kyrgyz staple food markets to include multiple perspectives and aid interpretation. Research findings related a need for greater inclusion in Kyrgyz household survey data, resulting in a recommendation to improve targeting of existing survey efforts in ex-urban areas with growing populations of internal migrants. Research findings also pointed to potentially expanding frequency of collection, in order to capture seasonal elements of Kyrgyz livelihood activities currently not reflected in publicly available household level data. Research conclusions discuss potential mechanisms to increase participation in development policy formation at local and regional levels to lower costs and improve the quality of implementation. / 1 / Michael Heaney

<p>What kinds of elements determine people´s possibilities of being integrated into society? This is what the author tries to illuminate in this essay, by discussing the plots and characters in White Teeth.</p>

Bcl11b (B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 11b), also known as Ctip2 (Chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor (COUP-TF)-interacting protein 2), is a C2H2 zinc finger transcriptional regulatory protein, which is an essential protein for post-natal life in the mouse and plays crucial roles in the development, and presumably function, of several organ systems, including the central nervous, immune, craniofacial formation and cutaneous/skin systems. Moreover, inactivation of Bcl11b has been implicated in the etiology of lymphoid malignancies, suggesting that Bcl11b may function as a tumor suppressor. Bcl11b was originally identified as a protein that interacted directly with the orphan nuclear receptor COUP-TF2. Later studies revealed that this C2H2 zinc finger protein can bind DNA directly in a COUP-independent manner, and it has been studied mostly as a transcription repressor. In T cells, gene repression mediated by Bcl11b involves the recruitment of class I HDACs, HDAC1 and HDAC2, within the context of the Nu It has become evident that post-translational modifications (PTMs) play essential roles in modulating activity of transcription regulators. By sensing extracellular signals, cells initiate a series of signaling cascades, which eventually transduce to transcription factors by PTMs, leading to changes of gene expression profile. cleosome Remodeling and Deacetylation (NuRD) complex. The hypothesis that Bcl11b functions as a transcriptional repressor has been supported by transcriptome analyses in mouse T cells and human neuroblastoma cells. However, approximately one-third of the genes that were dysregulated in the double positive (DP) cells of Bcl11b-null mice were down-regulated relative to control T cells, suggesting that Bcl11b may act as a transcriptional activator in some promoter and/or cell contexts. We have also found that Bcl11b functions as a transcriptional activator in a promoter context-dependent manner. However, how Bcl11b and its transcription regulatory activity is regulated still remain largely unknown. Here, we study the reversible, covalent modification of Bcl11b by phosphorylation and small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO). We have identifiedK679 and K877 as the two major Bcl11b SUMOylation sites by mutagenesis study. We have shown that phosphorylation and SUMOylation of Bcl11b are likely mutually exclusive processes, and phosphorylation of Bcl11b inhibits its SUMOylation by promoting the recruitment of SUMO specific protease SENP1. To study the function of Bcl11b SUMOylation, we fused SUMO1 to the amino terminus of Bcl11b. This generated a form of Bcl11b that was constitutively sumoylated without the complications of indirect effects associated with overexpression of SUMO1. Our data presented using the constitutive SUMO-Bcl11b demonstrated that SUMOylation compromises the transcription repression mediated by Bcl11b. Interestingly, when Bcl11b is fused to a cleavable form of SUMO, Bcl11b is targeted to ubiquitination pathway and it is degraded through proteasome machinery, suggesting that SUMOylation targets Bcl11b to the ubiquitination-proteasome machinery and deSUMOylation of SUMO conjugated Bcl11b is required for this process. These results described herein provide a framework for understanding the mechanisms underlying the transcription regulatory activities of Bcl11b, and how Bcl11b is regulated by post-translational modifications, including phosphorylation and SUMOylation. These studies may contribute to a better understanding of the molecular and cellular basis for Bcl11b function in vivo. / Graduation date: 2011 / Access restricted to the OSU Community at author's request from June 9, 2011 - June 9, 2012

What kinds of elements determine people´s possibilities of being integrated into society? This is what the author tries to illuminate in this essay, by discussing the plots and characters in White Teeth.

By integrating an electrochemical deposition process and a silicon chip manufacturing process, a chemical sensor based on a floating gate field-effect transistor was developed. The sensor was fabricated using the standard 0.35μm CMOS process with minimal post-processing. A pH-sensitive organic polymer was electrochemically deposited on the “pseudo” floating gate extension. This “pseudo” floating gate extension was an external area connected to the floating gate of the testing device. By monitoring the change of the current-voltage characteristics during exposure to the gas phase of the chemical aqueous solution, the sensor was shown to be feasible with a reasonable sensitivity. / May 2007

Abstract Military strategy is in serve of national interests, which is my basic idea through the whole paper. The theme of this paper is ¡§Mainland China's Military Strategy toward Taiwan in the Post-Cold-War Period¡¨. It can be divided into four folds: Firstly, the characteristics of post-cold war and its impact on the formation of military strategy of Mainland China. Secondly, the difference of military strategy thought between three China national leaders. Thirdly, possible military strategies and actions that China might take to against Taiwan. Lastly, the future challenge Taiwan might face and the way to get along with China's superior military power. This thesis has six chapters. In First chapter I introduce my research motive, method, structure, goal, and also define the content of military strategy. Then, in Second chapter I analysis the changing situation of the world and how it impacts Mainland China's national interests, and goals. Third chapter, I survey the thought of Mainland China's strategy. Fourth chapter is the discussion about the possible strategy and action that would be used by Mainland China's military against Taiwan. Fifth chapter discuss the future challenge and opportunity bring in by the relationship across Taiwan Strait. In Chapter Six I portray the future relationship development across Taiwan Strait and give some suggestion to Taiwan government. Based on the result of my research, I conclude that the main military strategy of China against Taiwan is a 'deterrent military strategy' enforced by a high technology war. Unfortunately, China seems on the track toward its goal. On the other hand, threaten by superior military power of China; Taiwan¡¦s military strategy simply could be described by four words 'Firmly defending, Effective deterrence.' However, the context could be expressed by two concrete approaches: 1. Reinforce his military and logistics capabilities in preparing to face the coming severe campaign launched by the Mainland China. 2. Equip himself with anti-missile facilities as part of his negotiate power when reluctantly forced to deal with the opponent on the table.

Previous literature has shown that depression is the most common major emotional result following a stroke. Although the prevalence and severity of this issue have been well documented, limited research has been done to identify the evolution of post-stroke depressive symptoms in the acute phase following a stroke. During this period of time, the patient is faced with a number of significant changes from his / her previous level of functioning. These issues can include loss of physical functioning, loss of independence, changes in living arrangements, and an increased reliance on the support and care of others. The purpose of the current study was to examine fluctuations in depressive symptoms as each participant progressed through rehabilitation and discharge, and to gather qualitative information pertaining to the contributing factors that could play a role in this issue. A sample of nine participants between the ages of 50 and 85 was obtained from a regional rehabilitation unit. Data and clinical information were collected using an intensive case study design. Participants were asked to complete the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) at three-day intervals while on the rehabilitation unit and following discharge. This information was interpreted in the context of qualitative information gathered through reports from the participant, his or her significant other / family member, nursing and professional staff members on the rehabilitation unit, and patient records. Other analyses performed included an examination of the interactions between performance and motivation during the rehabilitation process and role of discharge site in the development and course of depressive symptoms. When examined as a whole, the information collected across all nine participants would suggest that following discharge there was a statistically significant increase in the level of post-stroke depressive symptoms. While the individuals were on the rehabilitation unit, the depressive symptoms decreased significantly and this trend continued following discharge, but the slope was not as significant as that which was observed on the rehabilitation unit. The results also suggested that there is a significant difference between the progression of depressive symptoms between groups separated based on discharge site.

Thèse d'exercice : Médecine. Médecine générale : Université de Nantes : 2005. / Bibliogr. f. 74-77 [60 réf.].

Thesis (M. Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes special report study entitled: Architectural planning requirement of postal service building. Includes bibliographical references.

The forensic analysis of fourteen post-tensioned beam specimens after six years of aggressive exposure testing is the focus of this thesis. Funding for this research came from TxDOT and FHWA. Current post-tensioning materials and construction practices have been deemed inadequate due to fairly recent corrosion failures. Recently developed post-tensioning components and systems were assessed to determine their suitability to prevent durability concerns that had been found in older structures. Testing was conducted on the following variables: Strand Type, Duct Type, Duct Coupler Type, Anchorage Type, Electrically Isolated Tendons. Non-destructive and destructive testing methods were used to study the specimens and were evaluated on their effectiveness in predicting corrosion. Service life analysis was done on a structure using the strands and ducts study in the project. Galvanized duct showed substantial pitting and area loss. The majority of the plastic ducts had no observed damage. However, tendon grout chloride concentrations in most cases were extremely elevated with both galvanized and plastic ducts. This indicated that moisture had entered the duct, through either the couplers and/or grout vents. Except for strands from one specimen, the strands had minor corrosion with occasional mild pitting. The exception had heavy mild pitting confined to a small portion of the strand due to a hole in the duct. Backfill quality was good but it did not bond well with the base concrete. Therefore, moisture and chlorides entered the anchorage region. The electrically isolated tendon did not perform as well as expected. The grout chloride concentrations and level of corrosion damage were comparable to the concentrations and corrosion damage from the more conventionally protected specimens. / text