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Opioid abuse and addiction affects more than 2.4 million people in the United States. Medication assisted treatment (MAT), in combination with counseling, is recognized as the most effective treatment for patients with opioid dependence and abuse. Although MAT is considered the most effective treatment, previous research has found clinically significant weight gain with methadone. The purpose of this study was to determine if hedonic eating behaviors, sugar cravings, and addictive like eating was related to weight gain in opioid addicted patients receiving methadone and buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone™). Hedonic eating behaviors were measured using three validated surveys. Following survey collection, a chart review was completed to determine weight changes over time. One hundred twenty surveys were completed and 113 were analyzed. No differences were found between the medication groups in terms of mean age, weight at entry, BMI at entry, race, sex, and Hepatitis C status. A subset of 39 participants was analyzed for weight changes during treatment. There were no differences in food addiction scores, hedonic eating behaviors, and food cravings between the medication groups. We found significant weight gain in patients receiving methadone and no weight changes for those receiving Suboxone™. Weight gain in methadone maintenance does not appear to be related to addictive like eating, food craving, or hedonic eating. This research suggests that weight gain seen in methadone maintenance for opioid addiction treatment is related to something other than hedonic eating behaviors. Clinically significant weight gain should be considered when prescribing methadone for opioid addiction.

p53 is mutated in 50% of all human cancers, and up to 70% of lung cancer. Mutant p53 is usually expressed at elevated levels in cancer cells and has been correlated with a poor prognosis. Cancer cells that express mutant p53 show an increase in oncogenic phenotypes including an increase in growth rate, resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs, and an increase in motility and tumorigenicity to name a few. We have identified several genes involved in cell growth and survival that are upregulated by expression of common p53 mutants: NFκB2, Axl, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The aim of this study was to determine the role NFκB2, Axl, and EGFR play in mutant p53’s gain of function (GOF) phenotype and to determine a mechanism for upregulation of mutant p53 target gene upregulation. Inhibition of mutant p53 in various cancer cell lines using RNAi in the form of transient siRNA transfection or stable shRNA cell line generation caused a decrease in the gain of function ability of those cells in the form of reduced chemoresistance, reduced cell growth and motility, and a reduction in tumor formation. Additionally, inhibition of NFκB2, Axl, and EGFR also showed similar effects. Promoter deletion analysis of the NFκB2 promoter did not show a specific mutant p53 response element needed for mutant p53 mediated transactivation. Similarly, deletion of the p53/p63 binding site on the Axl promoter did not inhibit mutant p53 transactivation. Sequence analysis of the NFκB2, Axl, and EGFR promoters revealed several transcription factor binding sites located throughout the promoters. ChIP analysis of mutant p53 and the promoter-specific transcription factor binding revealed that in the presence of mutant p53, individual transcription factor binding is increased to the NFκB2, Axl, and EGFR promoters as well as an increase in acetylated histone binding. This data suggests that mutant p53 promotes an increase in transcription by inducing acetylation of histones via recruitment of transcription factors to the promoters of mutant p53 target genes.

A variety of open and closed multi-layered nanoparticle structures have been considered analytically and numerically for their use as scatterers and radiators. These include metamaterial-inspired structures based on dielectrics and metals excited by either plane waves or electric Hertzian dipoles at optical frequencies. Both passive and active (gain impregnated dielectric) materials have been considered. Enhanced and mitigated scattering and radiating effects have been modeled. Nano-antenna and nano-amplifier configurations for optical applications have been emphasized. A review of these modeling efforts will be presented.

Doctor of Philosophy / Genetics Interdepartmental Program / Jesse Poland / The Green Revolution is credited with saving billions of lives by effectively harnessing new genetic resources and breeding strategies to create high-yielding varieties for countries lacking adequate food security. To keep the next billion people in a state of food security, plant breeders will need to rapidly incorporate novel approaches and technologies into their breeding programs. The work presented here describes new genomic and phenomic strategies and tools aimed at accelerating genetic gain in plant breeding. Plant breeders have long relied on regional testing networks to evaluate new breeding lines across many locations. These are an attractive resource for both retrospective and contemporary analysis due to the vast amount of data available. To characterize genetic progress of plant breeding programs in the Central Plains, entries from the Southern Regional Performance Nursery dating back to 1992 were evaluated in field trials. The trend for annual improvement was 1.1% yr⁻¹, matching similar reports for genetic gain. During the same time period, growth of on-farm yields stagnated. Genomic selection, a promising method to increase genetic gain, was tested using historical data from the SRPN. A temporal-based model showed that, on average, yield predictions outperformed a year-to-year phenotypic correlation. A program-based model found that the predictability of a breeding program was similar when using either data from a single program or from the entire regional collection. Modern DNA marker platforms either characterize a small number of loci or profile an entire genome. Spiked genotyping-by-sequencing (sGBS) was developed to address the need in breeding programs for both targeted loci and whole-genome selection. sGBS uses a low-cost, integrated approach that combines targeted amplicons with reduced representation genotyping-by-sequencing. This approach was validated using converted and newly-designed markers targeting known polymorphisms in the leaf rust resistance gene Lr34. Plant breeding programs generate vast quantities of data during evaluation and selection of superior genotypes. Many programs still rely on manual, error-prone methods to collect data. To make this process more robust, we have developed several open-source phenotyping apps with simple, intuitive interfaces. A contemporary Green Revolution will rely on integrating many of these innovative technologies into modern breeding programs.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of teachers on student achievement using a longitudinal analysis. The analysis was based on the value-added assessment system implemented in Tennessee. In order to conduct this study, data were collected for two sets of students in one school district. The first set of students began Kindergarten in Spring 2000-Spring 2001 and continued to third grade in the Spring 2003-Spring 2004. The second set began Kindergarten in Spring 2001-Spring 2002 and went through second grade in the Spring 2003-Spring 2004 school year. Using mixed model ANOVAs modeled after Sanders' work, data were examined in thirteen separate analyses using nine independent variables. Year-to-year language arts differences, math differences, and reading differences on the ITBS were the dependent variables. In all of the year-to-year models, teachers were found to have a profound impact on student achievement. Prior achievement level was found to be another important factor in student achievement, with higher achieving students making consistently higher year-to-year gains than lower-achieving students.

Orientador: Luiz Claudio Nogueira Mendes / Coorientador: Marcelo Vasconcelos Meireles / Banca: Alex Akira Nakamura / Banca: Fernanda Bovino / Resumo: A infecção patogênica por Eimeria spp., denominada eimeriose ou coccidiose, tem sido indicada como responsável por mortes, queda no desenvolvimento e baixa produtividade em criações animais, ocorrendo principalmente em indivíduos jovens devido à imaturidade do sistema imunológico. Quando são submetidos a um sistema intensivo de produção, como em situação de confinamento, cordeiros podem se tornar ainda mais susceptíveis às infecções por espécies de Eimeria, devido à alta concentração de indivíduos, que potencializa a dispersão do parasito, e ao estresse associado à criação. No estado de São Paulo, já foram identificadas dez espécies de Eimeria em estudos prévios e, dentre elas, E. ovinoidalis foi considerada a mais patogênica para ovinos. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever as espécies do gênero Eimeria Schneider, 1875 que ocorreram em um confinamento de cordeiros, bem como as dinâmicas da eliminação de oocistos no ambiente e correlação com o ganho de peso médio diário (GMD) durante nove semanas. Cento e quatro cordeiros de diversas raças e cruzas, com aproximadamente 60 dias de vida, foram confinados e submetidos a pesagens, avaliações clínicas e coprológicas periódicas. Amostras de fezes que continham mais de 500 oocistos de Eimeria por gramas de fezes (OoPG) foram separadas para esporulação, posteriormente determinando-se as espécies às quais os oocistos pertenciam. Dentre os 677 oocistos avaliados, as seguintes espécies foram identificadas: E. parva Kotla... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Pathogenic infection caused by Eimeria spp., denominated eimeriosis or coccidiosis, has been pointed out as responsible for deaths, decreased development and low productivity for livestock animals, affecting mainly young individuals due to immature immunological system. When submitted to an intensive breeding system, as a feedlot, lambs can become even more susceptible to Eimeria infections, due to high concentration of animals, which potentializes parasite dispersion, and to stress generated by farming conditions. In São Paulo State, ten Eimeria species were identified in previous studies and, among them, E. ovinoidalis, was considered the most pathogenic for ovine. So, this study aimed to describe species of the Eimeria Schneider, 1875 that occurred in a lamb feedlot, as well as the dynamics of oocyst output in the environment and its correlation with daily weight gain (DWG) during nine weeks. One hundred and four lambs of various breeds and crossbreeds, at approximately 60 days old, were placed in a feedlot and submitted to periodic weighing, clinical and coprological evaluations. Fecal samples that had more than 500 Eimeria spp. oocysts per gram (OPG) were separated for sporulation, and oocysts were identified at species level. Among the 677 evaluated oocysts, the following species were identified: E. parva Kotlan, Moscy & Vajda, 1929, E. crandallis Honess, 1942, E. ovinoidalis McDougald, 1979, E. weybridgensis Norton, Joyner & Catchpole 1974, E. bakuensis Musaev, 1970 (s... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

A própolis é um produto natural elaborado pelas abelhas e vendido comercialmente, muito conhecida pela sua capacidade antimicrobiana, antioxidante e anti-inflamatória. Esse trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar a influência da própolis vermelha no desempenho, metabolismo e ocorrência de doenças em bezerros leiteiros suplementados diariamente. Foram utilizados 32 bezerros recém-nascidos colostrados e alojados individualmente com acesso a água e concentrado inicial. Os animais foram colocados em blocos de acordo com o peso ao nascer, data de nascimento e sexo, distribuídos em dois tratamentos: 1) Controle e 2) Suplementação diária de 4mL/dia de extrato alcoólico de própolis (30%) no leite integral. O consumo de alimentos e o escore de saúde e fecal foram monitorados diariamente, já as pesagens foram realizadas semanalmente. Amostras de sangue foram colhidas semanalmente, duas horas após o aleitamento da manhã, para realização de hemograma, determinação de hematócrito e das concentrações de glicose, proteína total, &beta;-hidroxibutirato, lactato, ureia, além da capacidade de ligação de ferro. O tratamento não apresentou efeito para os dados de consumo, ganho de peso e desempenho (P>0,05). No entanto, os animais suplementados com própolis vermelha apresentaram significante redução no escore fecal e no número de dias com diarreia (P<0,05). Para os parâmetros sanguíneos, apenas a contagem de eritrócitos totais sofreu efeito do tratamento, apresentando redução em sua concentração nos animais suplementados (P<0,05). O extrato de própolis vermelha brasileira tem grande potencial como alternativa natural para diminuir a incidência de diarreia em bezerros leiteiros, reduzindo a utilização de antibióticos nos sistemas de criação de bezerras. / This study aimed to characterize the influence of propolis or bee glue in the performance, metabolism and diseases of dairy calves. Propolis is a natural product collect by bees and sold commercially, well know for its antibacterial, antioxidant and anti inflammatory effects and the ability to improve the immunity system, both for humans and for animals. For ruminants, there are many positive effects that can contribute positively to animal productivity. Thirty two newborn calves were individually housed, with free access to water and concentrate, and fed 6 L/day of whole milk. The animals were blocked according to their birth weight, birth date and sex, distributed in two treatments: 1) Control and 2) Daily supplementation of 4mL / day of red propolis alcoholic extract (30%) in milk. Food consumption, fecal score and health score of bronchopneumonia were monitored daily, and the weight of the calves were measured every week. Samples of blood were collected weekly, two hours after morning milk feeding, for hemogram and hematocrit determination. Determination of blood glucose, protein, &beta;-hydroxybutyrate, lactate, urea and iron binding capacity have also been done to evaluate effects on metabolism and oxidative stress. Starter feed intake, daily weight gain and body measurements were not affected by the red propolis supplementation (P>0.05). Blood parameters were also not affected (P>0.05), exception made for the red blood count, which were lower in animals supplemented with ethanolic red propolis extract (P<0.05). Fecal score and days with diarrhea were significantly affected by the treatment (P<0.05). Fecal score and days with diarrhea were inferior in animals supplemented with red propolis extract. Propolis has a big potential as a natural alternative to improve calves health, reducing the incidence of diarrhea and as a consequence, the use of antibiotics in calf rearing systems.

Dois experimentos foram conduzidos com o intuito de avaliar os efeitos da suplementação com diferentes aditivos, sobre o consumo e ganho de peso, em bovinos mantidos em pastagem durante o período das águas. No experimento I, 48 novilhas Nelore, com 266 kg de peso vivo médio inicial, foram distribuídas no delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, em quatro tratamentos, sendo cada animal considerado uma unidade experimental. Os tratamentos foram arranjados em esquema fatorial 2 x 2, com dois tipos de suplemento (suplemento mineral e mineral protéico energético) e dois níveis de monensina (0 e 1200 ppm em suplemento mineral, 0 e 60 ppm em mineral protéico energético). No experimento II, foram utilizados 60 bezerros Nelore, com peso vivo médio inicial de 300 kg. Os animais foram distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado em quatro tratamentos com 15 animais cada. Os animais foram submetidos aos tratamentos: com suplemento mineral (controle), suplemento mineral com virginiamicina (1333 ppm), suplemento mineral com salinomicina (1111 ppm) e suplemento mineral com monensina (1000 ppm). Em ambos os experimentos, os animais foram alocados em quatro piquetes de Brachiaria decubens, com 6,7 hectares cada, e eram rotacionados semanalmente. As análises estatísticas foram feitas utilizando o programa estatístico SAS. No experimento I, o consumo do suplemento mineral protéico energético, com e sem monensina, foi maior em relação aos demais tratamentos (P&lt;0,05) e a monensina não provocou uma queda siginificativa no consumo dos suplementos. Os animais que receberam o suplemento mineral protéico energético ganharam mais peso do que os animais que receberam o suplemento mineral (P&lt;0,05), não havendo influencia da monensina sobre o ganho de peso. No experimento II, a monensina promoveu uma redução no consumo em relação ao grupo controle (P&lt;0,06). O suplemento com virginiamicina não afetou o consumo aos 56 dias, mas os suplementos com salinomicina e monensina reduziram o consumo em relação ao controle (P&lt;0,05). Não houve diferença siginificativa no consumo entre os tratamentos aos 28 dias e aos 84 dias, porém houve uma redução no consumo de todos os suplementos. O ganho de peso diário entre os animais que consumiram os aditivos não apresentaram diferenças significativas, mas os tratamentos com virginiamicina e salinomicina proporcionaram ganhos maiores do que o tratamento controle. A virginiamicina e a salinomicina ocasionaram um aumento no ganho de peso, e a salinomicina e a monensina reduziram o consumo. / Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of the supplementation with different feed additives on feed intake and average daily gain for grazing Nellore bovines during the rainy season. On the experiment I, 48 Nellore heifers (266 kg BW) were distributed in four treatments, and each animal was considered one experimental unit. The treatments were organized in a factorial 2x2, two types of supplements (mineral supplement and mineral protein-energy supplement) and two levels of monensin (0 and 1200 ppm in the mineral supplement, 0 and 60 ppm in the mineral protein- energy supplement). In the study II, 60 Nellore calves of 300 kg (BW) were distributed in 4 treatments of 15 animals each. Treatments consisted of the inclusion of: mineral supplement (control treatment), mineral supplement with virginiamycin (1333ppm), mineral supplement with salinomycin (1111 ppm) e mineral supplement with monensin (1000ppm). In both studies, animals were allocated in four rotational stocking areas (6,7 hectares each area) of Brachiariadecubens. Statistical analyses were conducted using the software SAS. In the experiment I, the consumption of the mineral proteic supplement, with and without monensin, was higher compared to the others treatments (P&lt;0.05) and the monensin did not cause any significant decrease on the supplement intake. Animals who received protein mineral supplement had higher average daily gain than animals who received mineral supplement (P&lt;0.05) and there was no effect of monensin on the weight gain. In the experiment II, the inclusion of monensin reduced the consumption compared to the control treatment (P&lt;0.06). The supplement with virginiamycin did not affect the consumption on the day 56, however the supplements with salinomycin and monesin reduced the consumption compared to the control treatment (P&lt;0.05). The average daily gain was statically different among treatments on the days 28 and 84, however there was a reduction on consumption of all treatments. The average daily gain among animals supplemented with different feed additives did not differ statically, but the treatments with the inclusion of virginiamycin and salinomycin had higher gains than the control treatment. The virginiamycin anda salinomycin caused increase weight gain and the salinomycin and monensin reduced the consume.

Na tentativa de estudar a viabilidade do sistema KCl:KCN:OCN-: Eu+2 como meio ativo para laser sintonizável na região do infravermelho médio, observou-se uma interessante característica deste sistema na região do visível. Os íons Eu+2 em sítios acoplados aos íons moleculares CN- e OCN- apresentam uma forte luminescência na região do verde (banda larga centrada em 505nm à temperatura ambiente), cuja característica possibilita um estudo posterior da emissão laser deste sistema. Neste trabalho estuda-se a transição 4f7 4f65d de íons Eu+2 por processo de absorção de um fóton, utilizando as técnicas de absorção ótica, luminescência e medição de tempo de vida. Estuda-se, também, a transição 4f7 4f7 (8S7/2 6P7/2) por processo de absorção de dois fótons. Para o estudo da interação entre os íons Eu+2 e íons moleculares CN- foram feitos tratamentos térmicos à diferentes temperaturas, na tentativa de tornar eficaz o aclopamento eletrônico-vibracional, devido à mobilidade que os íons Eu+2 apresentam na rede cristalina. Toda a parte de aquisição de dados é realizada por um sistema, desenvolvido no próprio Grupo de Ótica, acoplado ao microcomputador. / In the attempt to study the feasibility of the KCl:KCN:OCN-: Eu+2 system as an active medium for mid-infrared tunable lasers, it was observed an interesting feature of this system in the visible region. The Eu+2 ions in the site coupled to CN- and OCN- molecular ions exhibit a strong luminescence in the green region (a large band centered in 505 nm at room temperature). This feature makes possible a further study of the laser action in this system. In this work the 4f7 4f65d transition of Eu+2 ions is studied by means of one photon absorption process, using optical absorption, luminescence and lifetime measurement techniques. The 4f7 4f7 (8S7/2 6P7/2) transition of Eu+2 ions is studied by two photon absorption. In order to study the Eu+2 CN- interaction, the samples were annealed at different temperatures, aiming to obtain an effective electronic-vibrational coupling, due the mobility the Eu+2 ions exhibit in the lattice. The data acquisition is achieved by a system coupled to microcomputer.