In this study, the effects of the neonicotinoid pesticide, thiamethoxam, are examined through the Proboscis Extension Response (PER) in honey bees (Apis mellifera). PER is a form of classical conditioning applied to honey bees through scent and reward association which quantifies learning rates. Results between groups treated with thiamethoxam did not differ significantly from untreated control groups. Potential reasons for these results are discussed. The method and experimental apparatus for testing the PER assay are also discussed.

Arterial blood pressure (BP) undergoes a 24-hour oscillation that peaks in the active day and reaches a nadir at night during sleep in humans. Reduced nocturnal BP fall (also known as non-dipper) is the most common disruption of BP circadian rhythm and is associated with increased risk of untoward cardiovascular events and target organ injury. Up to 75% of diabetic patients are non-dippers. However, the mechanisms underlying diabetes associated non-dipping BP are largely unknown. To address this important question, we generated a novel diabetic db/db-mPer2Luc mouse model (db/db-mPer2Luc) that allows quantitatively measuring of mPER2 protein oscillation by real-time mPer2Luc bioluminescence monitoring in vitro and in vivo. Using this model, we demonstrated that the db/db-mPer2Luc mice have a diminished BP daily rhythm. The phase of the mPER2 daily oscillation is advanced to different extents in explanted peripheral tissues from the db/db-mPer2Luc mice relative to that in the control mice. However, no phase shift is found in the central oscillator, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The results indicate that the desynchrony of mPER2 daily oscillation in the peripheral tissues contributes to the loss of BP daily oscillation in diabetes. Extensive research over the past decades has been focused on how the components of food (what we eat) and the amount of food (how much we eat) affect metabolic diseases. Only recently has it become appreciated that the timing of food intake (when we eat), independent of total caloric and macronutrient quality, is also critical for metabolic health. To investigate the potential effect of the timing of food intake on the BP circadian rhythm, we simultaneously monitored the BP and food intake profiles in the diabetic db/db and control mice using radiotelemetry and BioDAQ systems. We found the loss of BP daily rhythm is associated with disrupted food intake rhythm in the db/db mice. In addition, the normal BP daily rhythm is altered in the healthy mice with abnormal feeding pattern, in which the food is available only during the inactive-phase. To explore whether imposing a normal food intake pattern is able to prevent and restore the disruption of BP circadian rhythm, we conducted active-time restricted feeding (ATRF) in the db/db mice. Strikingly, ATRF completely prevents and restorers the disrupted BP daily rhythm in the db/db mice. While multiple mechanisms likely contribute to the protection of ATRF on the BP daily rhythm, we found that ATRF improves the rhythms of energy metabolism, sleep-wake cycle, BP-regulatory hormones and autonomic nervous system (ANS) in the db/db mice. To further investigate the molecular mechanism by which ATRF regulates BP circadian rhythm, we determined the effect of ATRF on the mRNA expressions of core clock genes and clock target genes in the db/db mice. Of particular interest is that we found among all the genes we examined, the mRNA oscillation of Bmal1, a key core clock gene, is disrupted by diabetes and selectively restored by the ATRF in multiple peripheral tissues in the db/db mice. More importantly, we demonstrated that Bmal1 is partially required for ATRF to protect the BP circadian rhythm. In summary, our findings indicate that the desynchrony of peripheral clocks contributes to the abnormal BP circadian pattern in diabetes. Moreover, our studies suggest ATRF as a novel and effective chronotherapy against the disruption of BP circadian rhythm in diabetes.

Agricultural system models integrate many different processes that cannot all be measured in field experiments and help quantify soil water dynamics, crop evapotranspiration, and crop growth with high temporal resolution. Understanding soil water dynamics and crop evapotranspiration is essential to improve agricultural management of field crops. For example, the interaction between nitrogen application rate and water dynamics is not sufficiently understood. In most cases, model simulations deviate from field measurements, especially when model input parameters are indirectly and unspecifically derived. The extent to which measured soil hydraulic property inputs decrease the discrepancy between measured and simulated soil water status is not well understood. Consequently, this study: (i) investigated thr use of measured soil hydraulic properties as Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM2) inputs compared to indirectly derived inputs; (ii) explored the capability of calibrating measured soil hydraulic property input parameters for one crop and using them for other crops without further calibration; (iii) studied the effect of the nitrogen application rate on the behavior of soil water dynamics and crop evapotranspiration using RZWQM2 under different rainfall amounts. To evaluate the model in different field management conditions, a field experiment with soybean, corn, wheat, and fallow soil was conducted from 2015 – 2017 to collect field data to calibrate and validate the RZWQM2 model. The model presented a satisfactory response to using measured soil hydraulic property inputs and a satisfactory capability to quantify the effect of nitrogen rates on daily crop evapotranspiration, soil water dynamics, and crop growth. With sufficient measurements of soil hydraulic parameters, it was possible to build a RZWQM2 model that produced reasonable results even without calibration.

Equine arteritis virus (EAV) establishes persistent infection in the stallion reproductive tract, and the carrier stallion continues to shed virus in semen for weeks to years or lifelong. The objective of this study was to elucidate the intra-host evolution of EAV during persistent infection in stallions. Seven EAV seronegative stallions were experimentally infected with EAV KY84 strain and followed for 726 days post-infection, and sequential clinical samples including semen were collected for virus isolation and next-generation sequencing (NGS). In addition, archived sequential semen samples from two stallions that were naturally infected with EAV KY84 for a long-period (up to 10 years) were also sequenced by NGS. The data demonstrated genetic bottleneck event and selection during acute infection followed by intra-host quasispecies diversification during persistent infection in the stallion reproductive tract. Also, the full-length genome of a novel EAV donkey strain from Chile and a noncytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus-1 (ncpBVDV-1) strain contaminating rabbit kidney-13 cells were also sequenced by NGS. The EAV donkey strain was genetically distinct but antigenically cross-reacted with EAV antisera, and it was phylogenetically closely related to the South African donkey strain of EAV. Genetic and phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that ncpBVDV-1 belongs to BVDV-1b group.

本研究針對民國88年至98年發表之臺灣圖書資訊學碩士論文為研究主體，利用內容分析法，一探十年來圖書資訊學碩士論文在碩士論文數量、研究主題、研究方法、圖書館類型及關鍵詞之使用情形。研究發現：碩士論文總計發表725篇，平均每年有72.5篇，可見圖書資訊學碩士論文的產出呈現逐年增加的面貌。就各校碩士論文產出情形而言，以臺大156篇最多；其次為淡江150篇；其餘依次為輔大136篇、政大135篇、臺師大91篇和中興58篇。 近十年來所採用之研究方法主要為：訪談調查法230篇(32%)、問卷調查法196篇(28.2%)、書目計量63篇(9.1%)，這三種研究方法的數量合計約佔68%之多。2000年後，台灣圖書資訊學碩士論文研究方法的使用以問卷調查法和訪談調查法使用的最為廣泛，跟過去研究結果比較，書目計量學的使用有明顯增加的趨勢。 就研究主題而言，以讀者服務最高235篇(32%)、其次是圖書資訊理論與基礎124篇(17%)、圖書資訊技術91篇(13%)、技術服務88篇(12%)、行政與管理79篇(11%)、圖書與文獻77篇(11%)、圖書館與圖書館事業24篇(3%)，其他(學科類別)6篇(1%)。 有關圖書館類型之研究約308篇，佔全部論文的42%；其中以大專院校圖書館133篇(44%)最多、其次是公共圖書館89篇(29%)、專門圖書館29篇(10%)、中小學圖書館32篇(9%)，最少的是國家圖書館4篇(1%) ；此外博物館有12篇(4%)，檔案館為8篇(3%) 十年來臺灣地區圖書資訊學碩士論文，由全國博碩士論文資訊網可查檢到關鍵詞者共有719篇，統計後關鍵詞共有2,999個，其中最少的關鍵詞是一個，最多的是20個，平均每篇約有4.2個。超過36次者的高頻詞彙，分別為公共圖書館(58個)、大學圖書館(54個)、資訊需求(42個)和資訊尋求行為(41個)。將關鍵詞以熱門研究議題相近詞組做群組進行整理後，則發現以資訊行為相關的研究最多，共有134篇 ，其次是書目計量(57篇) 、檔案(45篇)、閱讀(21篇)、資訊素養(19篇)、數位典藏(17篇)、Web2.0(17篇) 、數位學習(10篇)和知識管理(9篇)。可見圖書資訊學論文之主題研究和圖書館事業近年來的發展遙相呼應。 根據研究發現提出以下建議：一整合圖書資訊學學術文獻主題分析體系、二鼓勵各校堅實各自專長後合作研究、三加強碩士論文研究品質、四強化碩士論文典藏資料庫之建置、五鼓勵學術研究成果之開放取用。 / This study focuses on MLIS (Masters' in Library & Information Science) theses in Taiwan from the years 1999 to 2009. It use content analysis to explore the situation for MLIS theses in research topics, research methods, types of libraries, keywords and their use. 725 MLIS theses were published by 6 LIS (Library & Information Science) related institutes. The National Taiwan University published the most papers (156 theses), followed by Tamkang University (150 theses), Fu-Jen Catholic University (136 theses), National Cheng-Chi University (135 theses), National Taiwan Normal University (91 theses) and National Chung-Hsing University (58 theses). Theses over the last decade mostly used the following research methods: interview surveys (230 theses), questionnaire (196 theses), on bibliometrics (63 theses). Most MLIS research methods used by Taiwan's LIS departments after the year 2000 focused on questionnaires and interview surveys. Compared with earlier studies, bibliometrics has increased significantly. As for the research topics: service to the readers is highest with 235 Thesis (33%), followed by library & information theory and basics with 124 theses (17%),library information technica at 91 theses (13%), technical services at 88 theses (12%), administion management with 79 theses (11%), books and literature with 77 theses (11%), libraries & the profession with 25 theses (3%) and others 6 theses (1%). Research relating to libraries type totaled over 308, accounting for over 42% of research Thesis. Academic library possessed the most papers with 133 theses (44%), followed by public libraries with 89 theses (29%). Specialized libraries with 29 Thesis (10%), and primary & secondary school libraries with 32 (9%). The National Library had at least 4 (1%). Museums with 12 articles (4%) and archives with 8 articles (3%). There are 2,999 Keywords among 719 Taiwanese LIS Master's theses. Thesis with the least keywords contained a minimum of 1 keyword. On the other hand, Thesis with the largest number of keywords contained over 20. Their average stands at about 4.2 keywords each. Each high-frequency word appeared more than 36 times. These are: public libraries (58), university libraries (54), information needs (42) and information finding (41). Once keywords and popular research topics are grouped together and integrated, it was found that the majority of research focused on information behavior (totaling 134 theses). This is followed by bibliometrics (57theses), archives(45 theses), reading(21 theses) , information literacy(19 theses), digital archives(17 theses) , web 2.0(17 theses) ,e-learning(10 theses)and knowledge management(9 theses). The popularity of these research topics echo the constant development of libraries in recent years. Based on these findings, the following recommendations: 1. Integration of the Framework of Subject Classification in LIS 2. Encourage library schools to participate in collaborative research using their individual strengths. 3. Enhance the quality of theses research. 4. Strengthen the collection of the masters' thesis database. 5. Encourage the open-access of academic research.

Many Canadian children from minority status groups experience long-term academic complexities, influencing their sense of school belonging and engagement (Willms, 2003; Willms & Flanagan, 2007). Research demonstrates children with intersecting differences of race, ethnicity, language, and disability, and those in their middle years (10-13 years old), undergo heightened academic challenges (Blanchett, Klingner, & Harry, 2009; Cobbold, 2005). Within Toronto, one of the most diverse Canadian cities, this study explores the narratives of 6 middle years children with intersecting differences of race, ethnicity, language, and disabilities. The narratives highlight participants’ understandings of differences, learning, and inclusion. Specifically, what are marginalized children’s personal schooling experiences, and how may these insights support inclusive learning, teaching, and sense of belonging? Underpinned by conceptual lenses of (a) critical theory, from which stems critical pedagogy and critical multicultural education, and (b) the “new sociology of childhood” (Greene & Hogan, 2005), which includes social constructivist and participatory frames, this study employed qualitative narrative and critical discourse analysis research methods throughout 7 research sessions over a 4 month period. Accessing children’s multiple views, data collection included a “mosaic” (Clark & Moss, 2001) multi-method approach, such as semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions, writing activities, imaginative story games, photography, and drawings. The children’s narratives are re-presented as portrait narrative summaries within this paper. Surfacing findings include two predominant themes: (a) Participants’ conceptualizations of differences, race, ethnicity, language, culture, disability, and autism. Participants’ views relate to theories of denying differences, colour blindness, White discourse, and Othering; and (b) Interconnecting factors of inclusive and exclusive elements contributing to participants’ overall sense of school belonging. Additionally this theme highlights matters of meritocracy, individualization, and the “good” student. Underscoring both themes are notions of normalcy, and deficit and deficient-based discourses. Inviting student voice into educational conversations and research processes, this study demonstrates the importance of listening to voices of children with intersecting differences, as they may adeptly advance areas of inclusion and diversity.

Many Canadian children from minority status groups experience long-term academic complexities, influencing their sense of school belonging and engagement (Willms, 2003; Willms & Flanagan, 2007). Research demonstrates children with intersecting differences of race, ethnicity, language, and disability, and those in their middle years (10-13 years old), undergo heightened academic challenges (Blanchett, Klingner, & Harry, 2009; Cobbold, 2005). Within Toronto, one of the most diverse Canadian cities, this study explores the narratives of 6 middle years children with intersecting differences of race, ethnicity, language, and disabilities. The narratives highlight participants’ understandings of differences, learning, and inclusion. Specifically, what are marginalized children’s personal schooling experiences, and how may these insights support inclusive learning, teaching, and sense of belonging? Underpinned by conceptual lenses of (a) critical theory, from which stems critical pedagogy and critical multicultural education, and (b) the “new sociology of childhood” (Greene & Hogan, 2005), which includes social constructivist and participatory frames, this study employed qualitative narrative and critical discourse analysis research methods throughout 7 research sessions over a 4 month period. Accessing children’s multiple views, data collection included a “mosaic” (Clark & Moss, 2001) multi-method approach, such as semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions, writing activities, imaginative story games, photography, and drawings. The children’s narratives are re-presented as portrait narrative summaries within this paper. Surfacing findings include two predominant themes: (a) Participants’ conceptualizations of differences, race, ethnicity, language, culture, disability, and autism. Participants’ views relate to theories of denying differences, colour blindness, White discourse, and Othering; and (b) Interconnecting factors of inclusive and exclusive elements contributing to participants’ overall sense of school belonging. Additionally this theme highlights matters of meritocracy, individualization, and the “good” student. Underscoring both themes are notions of normalcy, and deficit and deficient-based discourses. Inviting student voice into educational conversations and research processes, this study demonstrates the importance of listening to voices of children with intersecting differences, as they may adeptly advance areas of inclusion and diversity.

Digital Health relates to “health information systems which enable the merging of social-care and healthcare systems. This would impact on the organisation, service delivery as well as the technological infrastructure” (Herselman & Botha, 2016, p.10). However, with relatively sparse research publications emanating from within the Namibian Health domain, and the concept of Namibian Digital Health as an emergent phenomenon, a Namibian Digital Health Innovation Ecosystem Framework would provide a start to conceptualising, developing and implementing such an ecosystem for Namibia and thus unlocking the potential of Digital Health in this country. The purpose of this study is to develop a Namibian Digital Health Innovation Ecosystem Framework based on literature reviews and the feedback from knowledgeable professionals (KPs) in Namibia, as well as global experts. The methodology which was applied in this study to address the purpose, and to answer the research questions, was Design Science Research Methodology and the Design Science Research Methodology (DSRM) process of Peffers, Tuunanen, Rothenberger and Chatterjee (2008), was adopted. Pragmatism is the overall philosophy guiding the study, as proposed by Ackoff’s theory regarding the hierarchy of human understanding (1989) and Shneiderman’s visual information seeking mantra (1996). During Phases 2 and 3 of the study interpretivism and positivism were applied as philosophies, guided by hermeneutics and triangulation, towards understanding the feedback of Knowledgeable Professionals (KPs) in Namibia, as well as the global experts. The study was divided into three phases. The first phase entailed a literature study which identified the components of Digital Health, Innovation and Digital Ecosystems as well as related research of Digital health, Innovation and Digital Ecosystems in developed and developing countries. This process led to the compilation of the initial Namibian Digital Health Innovation Ecosystem Framework using a conceptual approach. In the second phase of the study, the initial Namibian Digital Health Innovation Ecosystem was evaluated by KPs in Namibia using the Delphi method and interviews. Phase 2 adopted both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The findings from Phase 2 resulted in the development of the intermediate Namibian Digital Health Innovation Ecosystem Framework. In Phase 3 of the study, the intermediate framework was validated by global experts. Feedback was collected from global experts through questionnaires which were analysed through qualitative content analysis. The findings, from Phase 3 led to the development of the final Namibian Digital Health Innovation Ecosystems Framework. The guidelines, which can be used by the Namibian government to implement the suggested digital health innovation ecosystem framework, were also provided. / Information Science / D. Litt. et Phil. (Information Systems)

The main aim of this research is to relate the theory of ISD discussed in Hirschheim’s and Klein’s article ”Four Paradigms of Information Systems Development” (ISD) to Churchman’s theory of ISD discussed in his book ”The Design of Inquiring Systems”. It has been important to relate those two assumptions of ISD in order to enhance both of them and to get a more explicit understanding of ISD. The main hypothesis in this research has been that it is possible to relate them to each other and to clarify and enhance them since they are both based on philosophical assumptions of knowledge generation i.e. epistemology. Epistemological and ontological aspects of knowledge generation and nature of societies are very important for understanding of IS since knowledge transfer is more and more common because of ICT development. The synthesis of those two well-known approaches to ISD is the main contribution of this research master thesis. The other contributions are the solution for double-loop learning through multi-agent system development and the solution for developing sustainable network societies through peer-to-peer networking combined with centralised networking functioning as a library. I also have given an explicit explanation of the differences between monism (holism) and pluralism, in this case regarding to Leibniz’s and Locke’s philosophical views. Singerian epistemology has been generated from his explanation of insufficiency of either rationalist or interpretative approaches for explanation of natural laws and this is also one of my contributions in this research. I also recommended a complementary use of the rationalist, empirical and interpretative research methodologies for research in theoretical, experimental, applied and social science fields. It has been also examined which methodologies are predominating at universities offering degrees in social informatics and it has appeared that on the most of universities offering degree in social informatics, proper research methodologies for studying societies are used what had been expected.

Diverse and ecologically important microbial communities (microbiomes) are symbiotic within marine sponges. In this study, the microbiome of Amphimedon compressa from three sample locations (Broward and Dade Counties, Southeast Florida, USA and the Southern Caribbean, Bocas del Toro, Panama) is characterized using 16S rRNA Illumina sequencing. The predominant taxa are Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria, as expected for Low Microbial Abundance sponges, accounting for over 53% of the total microbiome community. The numbers of Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) decrease from Broward County (2,900) to Dade County (2,300) and then Bocas del Toro (1,200). The correlates to a decreasing north-south gradient of sponge microbiome richness and diversity. Sponge microbiome richness and Alpha diversity are nearly identical from the two closest locations (37 km), both in Southeast Florida (Tukey HSD/ANOVA; p=0.999). However Panama sponge microbiome richness and Alpha diversity are distinctly lower, with the primary driver being distance, ~1,850 km from Southeast Florida. Abiotic factors driving this trend of decreased richness and diversity include increased temperature, and deceased salinity in relation to precipitation-based seasons. Sponge microbiome Beta diversity as determined by Bray-Curtis Dissimilarity and Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling documents the clustering of Panama samples as distinct from the Broward and Dade County samples. In a seasonal comparison, Broward County sponge microbiome richness (p=0.026, r2=0.92) and Alpha diversity (p=0.007, r2=0.98) are significantly different, documenting robust effects of temperature. This comparison confirms lowest microbiome OTU diversity in the season with highest precipitation and highest temperatures of 29.8 °C. These results are consistent with prior studies that report decreasing microbiome OTU richness and diversity under conditions of environmental stress such as decreased salinity and increased temperatures.