Vascular endothelial cell activation and apoptosis (programmed cell death) are critical in inflammation and angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine known for its ability to induce endothelial cell activation and apoptosis. However, the ability of two death ligands in the TNF superfamily: TRAIL (TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand) and Fas ligand (FasL), to activate vascular endothelium is less well defined, and forms the basis of this work. We find that in the human endothelial cell line EA.hy926, TRAIL induces endothelial cell activation (activation of the transcription factor NF-?B with increased expression of the adhesion protein ICAM-1 and adhesion of human neutrophils) when it concurrently induces apoptosis. In addition, angiogenesis is implicated in diseases of the central nervous system, and its modulation represents an attractive therapeutic strategy. We investigated the modulatory potential of the two endogenous molecules TRAIL and FasL as well as an exogenous molecule resveratrol, a phytochemical present in red wine, in angiogenesis. We modeled cerebral angiogenesis with the human brain endothelial cell line hCMEC/D3 and primary bovine brain endothelial cells. Resveratrol inhibited several parameters of angiogenesis (proliferation, migration and tube formation) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, however, neither TRAIL nor FasL had an effect on this model. By contrast, in hCMEC/D3 cells both resveratrol and TRAIL inhibited all parameters while FasL had minimal effects. Resveratrol did not induce apoptosis in hCMEC/D3 but arrested cell cycle progression to G2/M phase and inhibited phosphorylation of Akt/PKB, a key cell survival protein kinase. This leads to a reduction in cell growth, endothelial migration and tube formation, hence, inhibition of in vitro angiogenesis. TRAIL induced anti-angiogenic effects in hCMEC/D3 due to apoptosis. The data suggests that TRAIL primarily influences angiogenesis through induction of vascular endothelial apoptosis while resveratrol induces cell cycle arrest, both of which may lead to vessel regression. These are the first studies to report the modulation of different aspects of endothelial cell activation by TRAIL and resveratrol in several endothelial cell culture models, with a particular focus on the central nervous system.

The intent of this practicum is to improve pedestrian access in and around Churchill. Challenges and causes for rational fear in the landscape were identified and paths and mechanisms were designed to mitigate these concerns. The purpose is to make the landscape a more welcoming place that can be enjoyed and celebrated by a wider range of users.

As bird-watching gains popularity, there have been various techniques utilized by tourism planners to attract birdwatchers. One method of drawing birders to a specific region is through the development of a birding trail. Although there are many birding trails with varying levels of success, there was little research as to how birding trails should be designed, implemented and managed. Perhaps, a new and viable approach to birding trail development would be to plan them as tourism product clubs. A product club is an association of tourism service providers working together to deliver an integrated service. Product clubs have been successfully implemented in Barbados with golf tourism and in Spain with winery tourism. However, the concept of a product club has never been applied to bird-watching tourism. Therefore, this research tested the idea of utilizing the product club concept for bird-watching tourism. The methodology had three separate phases. Phase one involved interviewing officials of existing tourism trails, to see how they planned and managed their trails. These interviews illustrated how and what is involved with tourism trail planning and management. Phase two involved the choice of a case study location, the County of Essex and Chatham-Kent in Ontario. Phase three was planning the trail by forming an Advisory Committee consisting of key industry, non-government and government stakeholders. The Advisory Committee assisted with the following key decisions: trail size and scope, selection of birding sites, choosing accessory tourism service institutions, developing a product club oversight organization, marketing the product club, and the management, evaluation and monitoring of the trail. The thesis provides recommendations that can be used to implement a birding trail as a tourism product club. The research findings concluded that a birding trail can be planned and managed as tourism product clubs.

Contemporary tourism planning recognises that an integrated and sustainable development approach includes the participation of local communities and residents. Success depends on community level capacity for innovation and leadership which are important variables for the creation and implementation of new ideas as part of the development process. The main aim of this research is to determine the capacity of stakeholders to support integration of tourism and aquaculture through development of a themed seafood tourism trail in the Nelson/Marlborough/Golden Bay region of New Zealand as a means to promote sustainable tourism. In 2005 the Marine Farming Association developed and published the “Top of the South Aquaculture and Seafood Trail” as a brochure for tourists to promote a positive image of aquaculture in the region. The Trail integrates local tourism providers, restaurants, accommodation, seafood retail, as well as harvesting and processing businesses (mussel farms) as part of a themed driving route linking several peripheral communities. Themed driving routes are an innovative means for providing destinations with the opportunity to bring tourists and associated economic outcomes to remote locations. There is strong economic dependence on aquaculture and tourism in the region with both industries generating a combined NZ$402 million annually in the Nelson Region alone. The research involved interviews with 22 local stakeholders regarding their perceptions about strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities associated with the Trail as part of a mixed method, case study approach. The results show that tourism and aquaculture in the region are well developed, but that there are weaknesses in networking and collaboration within and among industrial sectors. In addition, there are differing perceptions of the aquaculture and tourism industries. The role of the university has been important in building community capacity for research and strategic planning linked to the Trail.

Thesis (M.A.)--East Tennessee State University, 2003. / Originally issued electronically at http://etd-submit.etsu.edu/etd/theses/available/etd-0607103-161102/unrestricted/mcmillionA071503a.pdf . Includes bibliographical references (leaves 106-111).

Thesis (M.A.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of History. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 191-211).

Thesis (M.A.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of History. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 88-93).

Thesis (M.A.) in History--University of Maine, 2006. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 156-164).

No description available.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of various approaches to training equestrian skills. The purpose of Experiment 1 was to compare an instructional video(s), in combination with verbal instruction, to verbal instruction alone on the percentage of horseback riding and safety errors made among beginner trail riders. An analysis of the overall percentage of steps completed independently revealed significant differences between instructional conditions that favored the use of video. Experiment 2 involved more experienced riders and more sophisticated equitation skills. Specifically, it examined whether a training package would decrease the percentage of jumping equitation errors among riders training in the sport of eventing. Using a multiple baseline across participants design, a training package was evaluated which entailed written feedback and video footage of the lesson from the trainer's point of view in addition to standard instruction. The findings of this study are inconclusive. The overall performance of riders through a six jump course was highly variable from week to week, regardless of the type of instruction utilized during lessons. Although several jumping equitation skills were never problematic for riders, no other skills routinely improved. Limitations and future studies are discussed.