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.

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Female endurance runners are at high risk for low energy availability (LEA). Preliminary evidence suggests that fasting blood glucose (BG) concentration decreases in response to short-term energy deficiency (low energy availability). BG monitoring tools, such as continuous glucose monitors (CGM), could be used as an early detection device for LEA risk in athletes. PURPOSE: Characterize changes in BG over the course of five days in experimentally-induced LEA in female runners. METHODS: Recreational runners completed a 5-day experimental condition of LEA (15 kcal/kg FFM/d) achieved by a combination of dietary restriction and treadmill running at 65% VO2max. BG concentration was monitored every 15 min across the five experimental days using a CGM (Freestyle Libre Pro, Abbott), which assesses BG from interstitial glucose concentration. Glucose data from the 5-day condition were analyzed to obtain average 24- h BG, fasting BG, BG during sleep, "time in target" BG range (TIT), "time above target" range (TAT), "time below target" range (TBT), as well as glycemic variability using MAGE (mean of amplitude of glucose excursions) and MODD (mean of daily differences). 70 to 120 mg/dL was set as the target range. Data was analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance; post hoc comparisons were performed using paired t-tests. RESULTS: Contrary to our hypothesis, our results suggest that five days of experimentally-induced LEA in female runners progressively increased 24- h BG and TIT while simultaneously altering patterns of fasting and sleeping BG. Average glucose concentration and TIT significantly increased from day one to day five (P=0.024 and P=0.03, respectively). Fasting and sleeping BG followed the same trends and significantly decreased from day one to day three (P=0.04 and P=0.002, respectively), followed by an increase by day five that was similar to day one. There was not a significant time-effect for MAGE, MODD, TBT, TBT, and glycemic variability (P>0.05). These changes are likely due to alterations in glucose production versus utilization that are driven by decreased insulin and/or increased BG counterregulatory hormones. This study is the first to characterize glycemia during short-term experimentally-induced LEA in female endurance runners using a CGM; emphasizing the potential ability of CGMs to gain insight on BG patterns during conditions of LEA. / Master of Science / Female long-distance runners are at high risk for a lack of proper fueling due to inadequate energy intake compared to the volume they exercise (e.g. low energy availability). Previous studies have found that fasting blood sugar (BS) concentration decreases in response to a short-term bout of low energy availability. BS monitoring tools, such as continuous glucose monitors (CGM), could be used as a tool to detect this risk in athletes. PURPOSE: Characterize changes in BS over the course of five days in experimentally induced low energy availability in female runners. METHODS: Recreational runners completed a 5-d experimental condition of low energy (15 kcal/kg FFM/d) achieved by a combination of dietary restriction and daily treadmill running at 65% of their maximum performance capacity (e.g. VO2max) BS concentration was monitored every 15 min across the five experimental days using a CGM (Freestyle Libre Pro, Abbott). Glucose data from the 5-d condition were analyzed to obtain average 24- h BS, average BS during sleep, fasting BS, "time in target" (TIT), "time above target" (TAT), "time below target" (TBT), the glycemic variability (GV) as percent coefficient of variation, and swings in BS levels (e.g. glycemic variability) using calculations for mean of amplitude of glucose excursions (MAGE), mean of daily differences (MODD). Data was analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance; post hoc comparisons were performed using paired t-tests. Data was summarized as a mean ± standard deviation. The significance level was set a priori at P<0.05. All statistical analysis was conducted using IBM® SPSS® Statistical software (Version 28.0.2.2, IBM Corporation, NY, USA). RESULTS: Our results suggest that five days of experimentally-induced LEA in female runners progressively increases TIT and 24- h BS while simultaneously altering patterns of fasting and sleeping BS. Average glucose concentration and TIT significantly increased from day one to day five (P=0.025 and P=0.03, respectively). Fasting and sleeping BS significantly decreased from day one to day three (P=0.024 and P=0.002, respectively) and had the same trends. The concentrations of both fell from day one to day three, followed by an increase by day five that were like those of day one. Additionally, there was not a significant time-effect for MAGE, MODD, TBT, TBT, and glycemic variability all had an insignificant time-effect (P>0.05). These changes are likely due to alterations in glucose production compared to glucose use that are driven by changes in the hormones that regulate blood sugar. This study is the first to characterize BS changes during short-term experimentally-induced LEA in female endurance runners using a CGM; emphasizing the potential usefulness of CGMs to gain further insight on BS patterns during conditions of LEA.

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.