Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1974. Vita. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 557-576).

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology / Tiruvoor G. Nagaraja / Cattle are a reservoir for major Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), which includes STEC O157 and the top six non-O157 serogroups (STEC-6; O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, O145). Collectively known as the STEC-7, these organisms are harbored in the hindgut and shed in the feces of cattle, which can contaminate hides. The de-hiding step during beef cattle processing can introduce fecal contaminants from the hide onto the carcass surface, creating the potential for contaminated beef products. The STEC-7 have been declared by the USDA-Food Safety and Inspection Service as adulterants in ground beef and non-intact beef products, and are monitored during beef cattle processing. However, many of the culture- and PCR-based tests for detection and/or quantification of the STEC, particularly of the STEC-6, are not established or require improvement and also virulence characteristics of STEC strains from cattle have not been fully analyzed. Therefore, the following studies were conducted: 1. Immunomagnetic separation (IMS)-based culture-method for detection of STEC-6 in cattle feces was developed and compared to a PCR-based method; 2. Detection sensitivity of pooled vs. individual IMS beads for isolation STEC-6 from cattle feces was evaluated; 3. Real-time PCR assay, based on the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat sequence polymorphisms (CRISPR), was developed and validated for serotype-specific detection and quantification of STEC O157:H7 in cattle feces; 4. Virulence gene profiles of bovine enterohemorrhagic (EHEC), enteropathogenic (EPEC) and putative non-pathotype E. coli O103 strains were examined with whole genome sequence (WGS)-based comparative analysis; 5. Prevalence and concentration of STEC-7 of fed-beef, cull beef and cull dairy cattle were determined. The culture and PCR methods detected all six serogroups in samples negative by the other method. Based on noninferiority tests, detection with pooled IMS beads was not inferior to detection with individual beads. Detection limits of the CRISPR-based qPCR assay for cattle feces spiked with pure cultures were 2.1 x 10³ and 2.3 x 10⁰ colony-forming units/g before and after enrichment, respectively. WGS-based analysis of E. coli O103 strains revealed key differences in the virulomes and mobilomes of EHEC, EPEC, and putative non-pathotype strains. The prevalence study revealed that a significantly higher (P < 0.01) proportion of hide samples from fed beef cattle (4.8%) were positive for STEC O157:H7, compared to samples from cull beef (1.6%) or cull dairy (0.2%); the majority of quantifiable STEC O157:H7 from each cattle type was at concentrations between 3 to 4 log CFU/100 cm². These data contribute to a knowledge gap on prevalence and concentration of STEC-7 and surrogate bacteria on cattle hides and carcasses, respectively. Furthermore, the development and refinement of culture- and PCR-based screening assays may lead to increased surveillance of major STEC serogroups, especially if the potential of WGS-based comparative genomics in identifying novel gene targets can be harnessed.

The primary goal of this research is aimed at investigating the current situation relating to transportation of asphalt and the inter-action between the paving crew and the asphalt producing plant, with the purpose of deducting practical steps that will improve the delivery and production process as a whole. A study is undertaken in the analysis of the delivery and round-trip cycle times of the cartage contractors transporting the asphalt from the fixed plant to the Old Barn Project. A daily summary is compiled for every day that asphalt is delivered to the project, and this data is sorted and analyzed to deduct trends and typical patterns for a specific type of work. The factors by which the performance is judged will be a relation between the type of work carried out as well as the production figure achieved for the specific day. Furthermore a basic model is composed that could be used as a vehicle and round trip calculator to guide the supplier as to the resources that are required on future projects. A list of practical steps is also drawn up, in the form of recommendations to conclude some of the findings of the project. The starting point of this research is to gain insight into the processes involved and to make recommendations on a very practical level. The role of good communication between the asphalt plant and the paving crew was also found to be of critical importance, as well as the establishment of an open honest relationship between the key role players. / Thesis (MSc (Project Management))--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Construction Economics / unrestricted

This study assesses the impacts of the invasive oil-collecting bee Centris nitida on the established endemic mutualism between Byrsonima lucida and Centris errans its sole native pollinator. In natural pine rocklands and urban areas, I examined the breeding system of B. lucida, assessed the degree of its pollen limitations, and compared the key processes of pollination for the Centris bees. Breeding system results showed that B. lucida was self incompatible and pollinator dependent. Pollen limitation treatments suggested that B. lucida is pollen limited, regardless of the contributions of the invasive bee. The native bee had significantly higher visitation rates to B. lucida plants, but had a lower foraging rate and was the less efficient pollinator. The invasive bee appears to be more common in urban environments. Further understanding the nature of these novel relationships is vital for the conservation of B. lucida and integrity of pine rocklands.

No description available.

Primary Aldosteronism (PA) is caused by autonomous overproduction of aldosterone. Aldosterone is necessary for fluid and ion homeostasis. Aberrant overproduction leads to hypertension and cardiovascular damage. With a prevalence of over 5% in the worlds’ hypertensive community, and with over a billion people worldwide having high blood pressure, PA represents a major contributor to health care costs and morbidity. Importantly, 30% of PA patients have a unilateral dominant secretion, an aldosterone producing adenoma (APA), making it possible to cure a substantial portion of patients with surgery. Unfortunately, there is a large underdiagnosis of PA, leading to delayed diagnosis in many patients, worsening their outcome after surgery. A need for better screening techniques, raised awareness and treatment options for PA is warranted. Since 2011, the genetic understanding of APAs has revolutionized. Somatic mutations turning on an autonomous aldosterone production has been observed in up to 80% of tumors. In this thesis we have investigated the genetic landscape and phenotypes of APAs. By international collaborations we have collected one of the largest cohorts of APAs ever sequenced. We have confirmed and extended the understanding of KCNJ5 mutations, its associated phenotype and the specificity for APAs. We have confirmed a high rate of mutations in ATP1A1, ATP2B3 and CACNA1D, and noted distinct clinical and molecular phenotypes in these tumors. We describe a marker of Zona Glomerulosa cells, perhaps important for the normal regulation and function of these cells. We observe somatic mutations in CTNNB1, occurring in a mutually exclusive manner to the other mutations. Using in situ sequencing, we note genetic heterogeneity in APAs with KCNJ5 mutations. Finally, we evaluate intratumoral aldosterone measurement on a large cohort of tumors, validating a high specificity for APAs. Noting also a difference in the level of intratumoral aldosterone between APAs and a possible association with genotype. Remarkably, we also note a robust correlation between the intracellular concentrations and plasma-aldosterone. We hope that with gained knowledge of the genetic background, the understanding of both pathologic and normal states of the adrenals will increase, and hopefully benefit patients in the future.

T lymphocytes and macrophages appear to play an important role in mediating ß-cell damage and causing Type 1 diabetes. Both activated T cells and macrophages operate and interact through the release of soluble factors called cytokines, which influence the type and magnitude of immune responses. It has been suggested that cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1α can damage the N-cell directly. In Type 1 diabetes, cytokines are likely to have a critical role in individuals whose immune system is unbalanced allowing the emergence of self-destructive processes. To investigate this possibility, sensitive assays to detect a range of cytokines of potential relevance to the immune pathogenesis of diabetes were establised. Using these, serum levels of IL-1α, IL-1N, TNF-α and IL-6 (macrophage-derived cytokines), IFN-γ and IL-2 (T helper 1 cytokine profile) and IL-4 and IL-10 (T helper 2 profile) have been measured in patients with Type 1 diabetes of different disease duration. Increased levels of TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-2 and IFN-γ were found in recently diagnosed patients with Type 1 diabetes when compared with both disease and metabolic control subjects and with normal controls. The presence of this profile of cytokines implies activation of the TH1 subset of helper cells near to diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes

This paper describes my learning journey as I began to flesh out my system of devising and the resultant aesthetic. The research subject was the production of a new movement play titled Medea Myth. This one act play is a totally devised piece without any text. Unlike some devised work, this play is meant to tell a clear story and was focused on cross-disciplinary collaboration. In investigating the work, I have broken it up into three distinct phases: Inception, beginning at the inciting incident and ending with the first clear storyline; Development, picking up that storyline and developing it to a sequence of full scenes; Production, where the scene sequence is finalized and the show is polished. Concluding each chapter is a section on the learning outcomes of each phase and how I will adjust my methodology in the future. I chose to write this paper in the style of a guide to producing similar work using my experiences with Medea Myth as an object lesson.

Flow meters are used to measure flow accurately. There are many different flow meters and it is necessary to know which will function best for specific situations. A wide variety of flow meters were selected for the study to assist in showing that each flow meter has its tradeoffs. The selected meters include: three types of Venturi meters, a wedge meter, a V-cone meter, an electromagnetic flow meter, and an ultrasonic flow meter. The characteristics researched in this study are discharge coefficient (Cd) over a range of Reynolds numbers (Re), head loss across each flow meter, life, and cost of meter. Each meter was tested over a wide range of Re to find the corresponding Cd and head loss. The life and cost of each meter were researched and estimated based on the flow meter companies and local distributor’s findings. With the findings, the tradeoffs are illustrated and will assist buyers in selecting a flow meter that will best fit their needs. While there are more flow meters available than was tested, the current study can direct buyers in a correct process of selecting meters for all situations.

Two methods of single-stage fermentation were used to produce methane from whey. The first method involved batch fermentation in which the pH was automatically controlled at 7.0. In addition to pH control, the second method was characterized by introducing the substrate continuously into the fermenter along with dilution water to keep the organic acids at a non-toxic level. The first method did not improve the production of methane compared to the batch fermentation in which a pH control system was not used (41). However, the second method showed that the concentration of organic acids has a major effect on limiting the production of methane from whey, and that by diluting the substrate with water the concentration of these acids was kept at levels not toxic to methanogenic bacteria until the population of methanogenic bacteria was such that they could convert organic acids to methane as rapidly as the acids were produced by non-methanogenic bacteria in a continuous process. This continuous process was capable of producing .179 m3 methane per kilogram of lactose in cheese whey.