Victims of human trafficking may be exploited for prostitution, sweatshop labor, domestic work, and as child soldiers for armed conflicts. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, "after drug dealing, human trafficking is tied with the illegal arms industry as the second largest criminal industry in the world today, and it is the fastest growing, with an annual profit of $32 billion" (U.S Department of Health and Human Services, 2004). This thesis looks at policies that are in place to prevent, prosecute and protect against human trafficking in ten countries from around the world that have changed to Tier 1 countries according to the U.S. State Department's annual Trafficking In Persons report. This study analyzed if there were trends in what kind of policies were implemented by state's governments that allowed them to be credited with a Tier 1 ranking, as well as, compared policies that were in place the year before the state changed Tier rankings. The data showed no definite trend in what it took to become ranked as a Tier 1 country, however the majority of the countries data showed that as long as improvements were made from the previous year then that country would move to a higher ranking. This research demonstrates that the TIP report does not consistently rank countries using the same standards. However, it proves that the shaming and global pressure through sanctions that the United States puts on other countries through the annual publishing of the TIP report does make a positive difference when it comes to countries working to combat human trafficking. / McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts; / Graduate Center for Social and Public Policy / MA; / Thesis;

The interaction of different formulations of the antifungal drug amphotericin B (AmB) with model cell membranes was studied and new techniques of measuring this interaction using electrochemical and/or spectroscopic methods were developed. Two model cell membrane systems were used: sterol-free lipid monolayers adsorbed to a Hg electrode and sterol-free or sterol-containing floating lipid monolayers on a Langmuir trough. Electrochemical control over the adsorbed monolayer allowed the defectiveness of the layer to be varied and the interaction of AmB with both well-ordered and defective monolayers characterized. Measurements of monolayer capacitance and permeability were used to indicate the nature of the interaction. Capacitance provides a measure of the lipid organization, while permeability was measured via electro reduction of thallium (I)cation. The three AmB formulations and two control samples were examined and showed different interaction behaviour. The disruption of lipid order and permeabilization induced by the two commercial formulations correlated generally with in vivo studies of their toxicity. An experimental and possibly less toxic AmB formulation made monolayer significantly more permeable. In situ fluorescence microscopy of the monolayer on Hg was carried out after introducing a low concentration of fluorophore into the layer. Fluorescence intensity as a function of electrode potential was measured and was used to characterize the lipid on Hg model membrane system before we attempted to measure AmB's influence on the fluorescence. The fluorescence excitation and emission spectra of AmB itself were measured ex situ for two of the formulations. Using added surfactant to control AmB aggregation state, the relationship between AmB aggregation and its fluorescence properties was examined. We discovered AmB to have unusual dual fluorescence properties, the extent of which differed between formulations. We measured AmB's fluorescence in situ as the drug interacted with floating lipid monolayers on the Langmuir trough. Both the variation in fluorescence during compression of a mixed AmB/lipid monolayer and penetration of AmB into a phospholipid monolayer were measured. This experimental setup was configured to collect fluorescence only from AmB at the monolayer, and not from AmB in bulk solution. Fluorescence excitation was made using a laser diode extracted from a consumer electronics device.

This thesis offers an overview of the new rhetorical strategies of persuasion being implemented by the contemporary English Canadian anti-abortion movement. This thesis analyzes the main arguments, philosophical principles, narratives and other important rhetorical strategies used by the contemporary anti-abortion movement in English-speaking Canada. It seeks, in other words, to explain how the anti-abortion movement talks to Canadians and how it attempts to persuade them of anti-abortion views.

The Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a virus that commonly infects the skin, and mucous membrane of the mouth, genitalia, and the eye. HSV-1 is the strain that is most commonly associated with corneal infections, and it is the most frequent cause of corneal blindness in North America [1]. Currently no cure is available, and many limitations are characterized by the currently available synthetic antiviral drugs, which suggest the need for other potential drug alternatives and delivery strategies. Anti-microbial peptides are naturally occurring peptides that are potent killers of a broad range of micro-organisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses [2]. AMPs are known to be a key component of the innate immune response at the human ocular surface. The human cathelicidin-derived AMP, LL-37, expressed in human corneal epithelial cells provides a wide range of protection against viral pathogens such as HSV-1 [3]. My thesis research addressed the design and recombinant production of hybrid AMP sequences containing LL-37 with the potential ability to form chemical or physical associations with a Collagen scaffold material, such as those used in current artificial cornea constructs to address the need for alternative anti-viral drugs. Three fusion proteins were tested, and compared for feasible design anti-microbial peptide expression and purification in E. coli. It was illustrated that the thioredoxin and SUMO fusion systems are good candidates for successful recombinant production of active designed peptides. The point-mutated LL-37 sequence was successfully expressed and purified using the thioredoxin fusion system. It was demonstrated that this modified LL-37 was effective against HSV-1 infection. The SUMO system was used to express the bio-functional LL-37 containing a collagen-binding sequence. Further work is required to address issues regarding recombinant AMP production, such as increasing enzymatic cleavage efficacy, and minimizing proteolytic degradation or modification.

Pharmacokinetic parameters for theophylline and dyphylline were evaluated in horse cerebrospinal fluid (csf) and plasma. Pharmacokinetic parameters did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) at the same dose for either drug when administered alone or concomitantly. Theophylline and dyphylline penetrate horse csf to produce approximately 1/2 the concentrations found in plasma. Doubling the theophylline dose from 10 mg/Kg to 20 mg/Kg doubled both csf and plasma theophylline concentrations. However, doubling the dyphylline dose from 20 mg/Kg to 40 mg/Kg tripled both csf and plasma dyphylline concentrations. Simultaneous fitting between plasma and csf drug concentrations indicates that plasma is a good indicator for predicting csf concentrations for both theophylline and dyphylline. The influence of ibuprofen input rate on antipyresis was studied in rats with yeast induced fever. In addition, a data analysis comparison was made between rat data collected from this present study and literature data from fevered children. Counterclockwise hysteresis curves (ibuprofen plasma concentration versus temperature decrement) were observed following ibuprofen oral suspension when administered to rats and children. When the collapsed hysteresis curves were plotted (mean predicted total ibuprofen effect compartment concentration versus mean predicted temperature decrement effect) the rat and children's curves were not superimposable. However, the collapsed hysteresis curves of mean predicted ibuprofen unbound effect concentration versus mean predicted temperature decrement effect were superimposable for data from the rats and children. Based on mean unbound ibuprofen effect compartment concentration versus mean predicted temperature decrement effect, the antipyretic response to ibuprofen appears to be comparable between rats and children. The apparent qualitative trend in temperature decrement, although not statistically significant, perhaps due to variability, appears to be different among ibuprofen input regimens in rats. Maximum temperature decrement appears to relate not just to the concentration of ibuprofen obtained at steady-state, but the rate at which it is obtained. / Graduation date: 1993

In response to terrorism as one of the major challenges of our time, developments in anti-terrorism law have led to laws that infringe on democratic rights. The author addresses two key questions in relation to such legislation, namely how the development of such laws is influenced by rights instruments, and whether such laws can be justified as a proportionate response to the terrorist threat. The examination focuses on the key rights of expression and association. It takes place within a comparative jurisprudence structure, considering the treatment of these rights in the UK, Canada, Australia and the USA. The assessment is undertaken in the context of the definition of terrorism and in particular reflects on the thought/act distinction, and whether the motive element of the definition leads to a normative response that is justified or is particularly severe to these democratic rights.

In response to terrorism as one of the major challenges of our time, developments in anti-terrorism law have led to laws that infringe on democratic rights. The author addresses two key questions in relation to such legislation, namely how the development of such laws is influenced by rights instruments, and whether such laws can be justified as a proportionate response to the terrorist threat. The examination focuses on the key rights of expression and association. It takes place within a comparative jurisprudence structure, considering the treatment of these rights in the UK, Canada, Australia and the USA. The assessment is undertaken in the context of the definition of terrorism and in particular reflects on the thought/act distinction, and whether the motive element of the definition leads to a normative response that is justified or is particularly severe to these democratic rights.

This thesis offers an overview of the new rhetorical strategies of persuasion being implemented by the contemporary English Canadian anti-abortion movement. This thesis analyzes the main arguments, philosophical principles, narratives and other important rhetorical strategies used by the contemporary anti-abortion movement in English-speaking Canada. It seeks, in other words, to explain how the anti-abortion movement talks to Canadians and how it attempts to persuade them of anti-abortion views.

The Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a virus that commonly infects the skin, and mucous membrane of the mouth, genitalia, and the eye. HSV-1 is the strain that is most commonly associated with corneal infections, and it is the most frequent cause of corneal blindness in North America [1]. Currently no cure is available, and many limitations are characterized by the currently available synthetic antiviral drugs, which suggest the need for other potential drug alternatives and delivery strategies. Anti-microbial peptides are naturally occurring peptides that are potent killers of a broad range of micro-organisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses [2]. AMPs are known to be a key component of the innate immune response at the human ocular surface. The human cathelicidin-derived AMP, LL-37, expressed in human corneal epithelial cells provides a wide range of protection against viral pathogens such as HSV-1 [3]. My thesis research addressed the design and recombinant production of hybrid AMP sequences containing LL-37 with the potential ability to form chemical or physical associations with a Collagen scaffold material, such as those used in current artificial cornea constructs to address the need for alternative anti-viral drugs. Three fusion proteins were tested, and compared for feasible design anti-microbial peptide expression and purification in E. coli. It was illustrated that the thioredoxin and SUMO fusion systems are good candidates for successful recombinant production of active designed peptides. The point-mutated LL-37 sequence was successfully expressed and purified using the thioredoxin fusion system. It was demonstrated that this modified LL-37 was effective against HSV-1 infection. The SUMO system was used to express the bio-functional LL-37 containing a collagen-binding sequence. Further work is required to address issues regarding recombinant AMP production, such as increasing enzymatic cleavage efficacy, and minimizing proteolytic degradation or modification.

L'objectiu d'aquesta tesi és avançar cap a una redefinició de la representació literària de la masculinitat heroica. A tal efecte, s'han examinat les narratives autobiogràfiques en resposta a la Primera Guerra Mundial escrites pels poetes de guerra que conformen el cànon literari en llengua anglesa. L’anàlisi dels textos es realitza a partir de la tensió entre dos mites: el 'mite de l'heroi victorià' i el 'mite del fantasma.' El mite de l’heroic victorià es refereix a la representació de la masculinitat heroica de mitjans-finals del segle XIX, fundada en la tradició èpica i romàntica i en una concepció essencialista de l’home impulsada per la propaganda imperialista, per l’experiència de la Guerra Bòer i pels valors i actituds transmesos per l'escola pública anglesa. El mite del fantasma, d’altra banda, emfatitza la idea que la Primera Guerra Mundial destrueix la representació del soldat com a heroi i de la guerra com a romanç, centrant-se, no només en la discontinuïtat amb el passat heroic, sinó en la figura del soldat com a fantasma, com a ésser feble, vulnerable i emasculat. Si bé els textos estudiats es consideren exemples emblemàtics del mite del fantasma, aquesta tesi sosté que aquesta postura és limitada i parcial en relació a la representació de la guerra i, essencialment, de la figura del soldat. No es pren prou en compte la complexitat en la resposta literària a una experiència que no només es presenta com una de les més traumàtiques i pertorbadores del segle XX sinó que ofereix un context de circumstàncies contradictòries i canviants que impedeix una interpretació unànime. L'anàlisi detallada de diaris, cartes, memòries i noveI.les autobiogràfiques escrites pels poetes canònics demostra que les obres més reflexives i valuoses de la literatura de guerra transcendeixen tant la narrativa heroica com l’anti-heroica per explorar les ambigüitats i contradiccions i eventualment redefinir l’ideal heroic. Aquest treball se centra en cóm aquesta tensió entre els dos mites es manifesta en els vincles relacionals del soldat, fonamentalment en les actituds respecte al camarada, l'amic, l'amant, l'enemic i el covard, no només des de la perspectiva d'una crisi d’identitat sinó com a punt de partida per al sorgiment d'un model alternatiu viable de masculinitat heroica. / El objetivo de esta tesis es avanzar hacia una redefinición de la representación literaria de la masculinidad heroica. Para ello, se han examinado las narrativas autobiográficas en respuesta a la Primera Guerra Mundial escritas por los poetas de guerra que conforman el canon literario en lengua inglesa. Los textos son analizados a partir de la tensión entre dos mitos: el ‘mito del héroe victoriano’ y el ‘mito del fantasma.’ El mito del héroe victoriano se refiere a la representación de la masculinidad heroica de mediados-finales del siglo XIX, fundada en la tradición épica y romántica y en una concepción esencialista del hombre impulsada por la propaganda imperialista, por la experiencia de la Guerra Bóer y por los valores y actitudes transmitidos por la escuela pública inglesa. El mito del fantasma, por otro lado, enfatiza la idea de que la Primera Guerra Mundial destruye la representación del soldado como héroe y de la guerra como romance, centrándose, no sólo en la discontinuidad con el pasado heroico, sino en la figura del soldado como fantasma, como ser débil, vulnerable y emasculado. Si bien los textos estudiados han sido considerados ejemplos emblemáticos del mito del fantasma, esta tesis sostiene que esa postura es limitada y parcial en lo que refiere a la representación de la guerra y, esencialmente, de la figura del soldado. No se toma suficientemente en cuenta la complejidad en la respuesta literaria a una experiencia que no sólo se presenta como una de las más traumáticas y perturbadoras del siglo veinte sino que ofrece un contexto de circunstancias contradictorias y cambiantes que impide una interpretación unánime. El análisis detallado de diarios, cartas, memorias y novelas autobiográficas escritas por los poetas canónicos demuestra que las obras más reflexivas y valiosas de la literatura de guerra trascienden tanto la narrativa heroica como la anti-heroica para explorar las ambigüedades y contradicciones y eventualmente redefinir el ideal heroico. Este trabajo se centra en cómo esa tensión entre los dos mitos se manifiesta en los vínculos relacionales del soldado, fundamentalmente en las actitudes hacia el camarada, el amigo, el amante, el enemigo y el cobarde, no sólo desde la perspectiva de una crisis de identidad sino como punto de partida para el surgimiento de un modelo alternativo viable de masculinidad heroica. / This thesis works towards a redefinition of the representation of heroic masculinity in the autobiographical narratives written by the canonical British war poets in response to the Great War. The texts have been analysed from the perspective of the tension between two myths: the ‘Victorian hero myth’ and the ‘Ghost myth.’ The Victorian hero myth refers to the representation of heroic masculinity in mid-to late-nineteenth century Britain, based on the epic and romance traditions and on an essentialist conception of manhood promoted by imperial propaganda, the Boer War experience and the public-school ethos. The Ghost myth, on the other hand, emphasises the idea that the Great War destroyed the representation of the soldier and of war itself as heroic, highlighting not only the discontinuities with a heroic past but the figure of the soldier as a ghost, a weak, vulnerable and emasculated human being. Although the texts under study are regarded as significant examples of the Ghost myth, this thesis argues that such a view is too limited and simplistic as regards the representation of war and, most essentially, of the figure of the soldier, taking insufficiently into account the complexity of response to a diverse and multifaceted experience. A close and detailed analysis of the selected war diaries, letters, memoirs and autobiographical novels shows that much of the finest literature of the Great War refuses single-minded interpretations and transcends the conventional patriotic-heroic and protest-anti-heroic readings to explore the ambiguities and contradictions and to eventually redefine the heroic ideal. This thesis essentially focuses on how the tension between the two dominant myths is expressed in the relational aspect – the soldier’s attitudes towards the comrade, the friend, the lover, the enemy and the coward – not only from the perspective of an identity crisis but also as the source of a viable alternative model of heroic masculinity.