This study was carried out to investigate the effect of using animated computer 3-D figures illustration (ACTDFI) in the learning of polyhedron in geometry. By random sampling, intact group of four grade 9 classes in four different schools from a cluster of four educational district schools of Limpopo province in South Africa were selected. The study involved quasi-experimental and inquiry research approaches, the quasi-experimental approach involved pre and posttest design while the inquiry research approach involve classroom observation. There were three experimental groups and a control group with a total of 174 study participants. ACTDFI was used as an intervention for two weeks in the three experimental groups while in the control group, chalk-talk traditional teaching approach was used. Pre-test and post-test was used to collect quantitative data while classroom observation was used to collect qualitative data. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of using animated computer 3-D figures illustration (ACTDFI) in the learning of polyhedron in geometry. By random sampling, intact group of four grade 9 classes in four different schools from a cluster of four educational district schools of Limpopo province in South Africa were selected. The study involved quasi-experimental and inquiry research approaches, the quasi-experimental approach involved pre and posttest design while the inquiry research approach involve classroom observation. There were three experimental groups and a control group with a total of 174 study participants. ACTDFI was used as an intervention for two weeks in the three experimental groups while in the control group, chalk-talk traditional teaching approach was used. Pre-test and post-test was used to collect quantitative data while classroom observation was used to collect qualitative data. The findings from the quantitative Classroom observations were carried out to collect relevant data on how the study participants were taught stationary points in differential calculus, especially with the use of the constructivist pedagogical approach. A suitable observation checklist was developed for this purpose (Appendix 6 refers). Classroom observation checklist is a list of factors to be considered while observing a class. It gives a structure and framework for the observation. suggested that the use of ACTDFI might have improved academic achievement in learning of polyhedron during the intervention, while the qualitative data analysis indicated that the use of ACTDFI in the experimental groups might have facilitated the learning of the concepts of polyhedron. It is therefore recommended that further research is necessary on the application of ACTDFI in the teaching of 3-dimensional shapes at the primary schools / Mathematics Education / M. Sc. (Mathematics Education)

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Advancements in human genomics have simultaneously enhanced our basic understanding of the human body and ability to combat debilitating diseases. Historically, research has shown that there have been many hindrances to realizing this medicinal revolution. One hindrance, with particular regard to the kidney, has been our inability to effectively and routinely delivery genes to various loci, without inducing significant injury. However, we have recently developed a method using hydrodynamic fluid delivery that has shown substantial promise in addressing aforesaid issues. We optimized our approach and designed a method that utilizes retrograde renal vein injections to facilitate widespread and persistent plasmid and adenoviral based transgene expression in rat kidneys. Exogenous gene expression extended throughout the cortex and medulla, lasting over 1 month within comparable expression profiles, in various renal cell types without considerably impacting normal organ function. As a proof of its utility we by attempted to prevent ischemic acute kidney injury (AKI), which is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality across among global populations, by altering the mitochondrial proteome. Specifically, our hydrodynamic delivery process facilitated an upregulated expression of mitochondrial enzymes that have been suggested to provide mediation from renal ischemic injury. Remarkably, this protein upregulation significantly enhanced mitochondrial membrane potential activity, comparable to that observed from ischemic preconditioning, and provided protection against moderate ischemia-reperfusion injury, based on serum creatinine and histology analyses. Strikingly, we also determined that hydrodynamic delivery of isotonic fluid alone, given as long as 24 hours after AKI is induced, is similarly capable of blunting the extent of injury. Altogether, these results indicate the development of novel and exciting platform for the future study and management of renal injury.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Approximately 2.8% of the world population is currently infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) are often generated in chronic hepatitis C patients yet fail to control the infection. In the first two chapters of this study, we focused on two alternative routes of HCV transmission, which may contribute to HCV’s immune evasion and establishment of chronic infection. HCV was transmitted via a cell-cell contact-mediated (CCCM) route and in the form of exosomes. Formation of HCV infection foci resulted from CCCM HCV transfer and was cell density-dependent. Moreover, CCCM HCV transfer occurred rapidly, involved all four known HCV receptors and intact actin cytoskeleton, and led to productive HCV infection. Furthermore, live cell imaging revealed the temporal and spatial details of the transfer process. Lastly, HCV from HCV-infected hepatocytes and patient plasma occurred in both exosome-free and exosome-associated forms and the exosome-associated HCV remained infectious, even though HCV infection did not significantly alter exosome secretion. In the third chapter, we characterized HCV interaction with astrocytes, one of the putative HCV target cells in the brain. HCV infection causes the central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities in more than 50% of chronically infected subjects but the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. We showed that primary human astrocytes (PHA) were very inefficiently infected by HCV, either in the free virus form or through cell-cell contact. PHA expressed all known HCV receptors but failed to support HCV entry. HCV IRES-mediated translation was functional in PHA and further enhanced by miR122 expression. Nevertheless, PHA did not support HCV replication regardless of miR122 expression. To our great surprise, HCV exposure induced robust IL-18 expression in PHA and exhibited direct neurotoxicity. In summary, we showed that CCCM HCV transfer and exosome-mediated HCV infection constituted important routes for HCV infection and dissemination and that astrocytes did not support productive HCV infection and replication, but HCV interactions with astrocytes and neurons alone might be sufficient to cause CNS dysfunction. These findings provide new insights into HCV infection of hepatocytes and astrocytes and shall aid in the development of new and effective strategies for preventing and treating HCV infection.