Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of California, Davis, 2002. / Degree granted in Theater and Dance. Also available via the World Wide Web. (Restricted to UC campuses)

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Late Embryogenesis Abundant (LEA) genes have been irrefutably linked to the osmotic stress response since their initial discovery in maturing cotton seeds. They have since been reported from a multitude of other organism where their occurrence is often associated with general responses to abiotic stress. Many studies have been conducted using LEA genes in over expression strategies to improve abiotic stress resistance. Of the known classes of LEAs, the group 1 LEAs have been widely reported, in plants, to only occur in seeds during late stages of development. Their expression coincides with the seeds acquisition of desiccation tolerance. In this thesis we present a group 1 LEA isolated from the desiccated vegetative tissues (leaves) of the resurrection plant Xerophyta humilis. Using E.coli and Arabidopsis we attempted to use XhLEA to improve salt and water deficit stress-responses, respectively. To this end we conducted soil-drought trials on two independent transgenic Arabidopsis lines expressing XhLEA under a drought inducible-promoter and monitored their responses as compared to untransformed WT (Col-0 ) controls. Solid substrate E.coli growth assays and liquid media growth curves under both stress and unstressed conditions were conducted. We found no obvious beneficial effect through the expression of XhLEA in either of the organisms. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar

This study is of the higher education aspirations of a group of students in 16 - 19 education. Data was collected from students in three London boroughs, Bamford, Newton and Rishworth. These students were in the final year in either sixth forms or colleges of further education and taking courses that would enable a successful candidate to gain access to higher education. Both local authority and independent sector institutions were represented in the study. The research began by developing a conceptual framework within which an analysis could be made of the above mentioned students higher education aspirations. Two main types of research was used. Interviews were held with those involved in the provision of 16 – 19 education and with the counselling of students as to higher education entry. A questionnaire was distributed to the above mentioned group of students, requesting information as to various aspects of their background and their aspirations. Some 100 + interviews were carried out with borough councillors, L.E.A. administrators, careers officers, school teachers, and college lecturers. Some 1,500 questionnaires were distributed to students at 31 schools and three colleges of further education. There were 952 replies. The information received was computerised and processed using a prime computer and application package S.P.S.S. An analysis was made in terms of higher education aspirations and L.E.A. area, type of institution, type of course, mode of attendance, socio-economic grouping, family circumstances, type of housing and gender. The findings of this analysis were compared with the original hypothesis and conclusions drawn.

COR15A is a cold regulated disordered protein from Arabidopsis thaliana that contributes to freezing tolerance in plants by protecting membranes. It belongs to the (LEA) Late Embryogenesis Abundant group of proteins that accumulate during the later stage of seed development and are expressed in various parts of the plant. During freezing-induced cellular dehydration, COR15A transitions from a disordered structure to a mostly α-helical structure that binds and stabilizes chloroplast membranes when cells dehydrate due to freezing. We hypothesize that increasing the transient α-helicity of COR15A under normal conditions will increase its ability to bind and protect chloroplast membranes when cells are frozen. To test this hypothesis, conserved glycine residues were mutated to alanine to increase α-helicity. NMR spectroscopy was used to examine structural changes of these mutants compared to wildtype in 0% and 20% TFE. The impact of these mutations on the stability of model membranes during a freeze-thaw cycle was investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy. The results of these experiments showed the mutants had a higher content of α-helical secondary structure than wildtype in 0% and 20% TFE. Increased α-helicity of the COR15A mutants improved membrane stabilization during freezing. Altogether, our results suggest the conserved glycine residues are important for maintaining the disordered structure of the protein.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

Master of Music / Department of Music / Frank C. Tracz / This document is comprised of research and analysis of the comprehensive examination of the graduate conducting recital of Shawn Michael Knopp. This recital was performed by the Smoky Valley High School Concert Band, on February 27, 2009, at the Century II Concert Hall in Wichita, Kansas. The examined repertoire for the recital includes Dance Sinfonia, by Dennis W. Fisher, Linden Lea, by Ralph Vaughan Williams, arranged by John W. Stout, Strawflower, by Ralph Hermann, Emperata Overture by Claude T. Smith, and Foshay Tower Washington Memorial March by John Philip Sousa, edited by Daniel Dorff. This document contains theoretical and historical analysis and outlines the method of planning and preparing a graduate conducting recital according to the Blocher, Miles and Tracz formats.

A l'exception des graines de plantes supérieures, peu d'organismes sont capables de résister à la dessiccation. La survie à l'état sec est un phénomène multifactoriel impliquant notamment l'accumulation de protéines LEA (Late Embryogenesis Abundant). Nous avons montré que la LEAM, une protéine LEA mitochondriale exprimée dans les graines, est dépliée à l'état natif, mais peut se structurer réversiblement en hélice a sous l'effet de la dessiccation. La LEAM interagit avec les membranes à l'état sec, et plus précisément avec les groupements phosphate des phospholipides. Ces interactions, qui dépendent de la composition lipidique, permettent de protéger les liposomes des effets destructeurs de la dessiccation et de la congélation. L'ensemble de ces résultats indique que la LEAM protège la membrane interne mitochondriale pendant la dessiccation. Des approches de génétique inverse ont été initiées afin de confirmer cet axiome et de préciser le rôle physiologique de la LEAM