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Edwardsiella ictaluri is an intracellular Gram-negative pathogen, causing enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC). Universal stress proteins (USP) are important in bacterial virulence, but the role of USPs in E. ictaluri virulence is not explored yet. Our aim was to analyze gene expression of 13 usp (usp01-usp13) and 7 USP-interacting genes (groEL, groES, dnaK, dnaJ, clpB, grpE, and ppGpp) under low pH, H2O2, catfish serum, and in vivo stress conditions, construct USP mutants, and determine mutants’ role in E. ictaluri virulence. We found that usp05, usp07 and usp13 genes were highly expressed under all stress conditions, while groEL, groES, dnaK, grpE, and clpB were highly expressed in oxidative stress. Among the 10 E. ictaluri USP mutants, Eiusp05-07-08-09-10, and 13 were significantly attenuated in catfish and highly protective against wild type E. ictaluri infections in catfish. Eiusp05-07-08-09, and 13 were sensitive to oxidative stress, and all mutants were sensitive to pH exposure.

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The advent of democracy brought about changes in the cultural heritage landscape. Cultural heritage used to be a preserve of the rich and experts. Heritage of places is not found lying around for it to be discovered, but it is continually reproduced to suit the needs of that particular society. Reproduction of heritage is due to it being amenable to be used and reused to suit the needs of that grouping. Cultural heritage in South Africa offers is used as an economic tool as it offers easy access for participants to the cultural tourism industry. The capital outlay is usually minimal. Politicians also use cultural heritage to create new identities. In South Africa, during the early stages of democracy, heritage was used to promote national reconciliation and nation-building. Robben Island was used as a flagship institution to open up the cultural heritage space and give voice to those previously denied access or whose heritage was distorted or misrepresented. Robben Island, a place of atrocity stemming from the colonial period, was seen as a beacon of hope and promoted as a symbol of the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. The site's positioning as an economic tool and fostering notions of national unity invariably leads to selecting a layer that will resonate with the nationalist ideals. The exploratory study uses interviews with tour guides and heritage experts to examine the message told to visitors. The results obtained are contrasted with the national legislation, the site's conservation management plans, and UNESCO's requirements for listed sites. At an international level, UNESCO is concerned with preserving the outstanding universal value of sites. The preservation of the heritage at a local level is done through national legislation.

<p> This paper surveys. the fundamental theory of universal topological and uniform algebras and relates the former to topological partial algebras. In particular, the theory of topological and uniform Peano algebras is described and some other universal mapping questions analysed and solved. In addition a theory of compact extensions is developed for topological algebras.</p> / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Studies have consistently shown that teachers’ ratings of behavior were predictive of academic difficulties. While research has clearly indicated that behavior has a reciprocal relationship with academic achievement, there is a scarcity of research on the relationship between outcomes on high stakes tests and student behavior. Early identification of children at risk for academic difficulties is vital for successful intervention and remediation. Therefore, this researcher investigated use of a brief behavior screener as a predictor of students at risk for failing a high stakes test. Results from the Behavior Assessment System for Children–Teacher Rating Scale–Child Screener (BASC-TRS-C Screener) provided an assessment of behavior. Georgia’s Criterion Referenced Test – Reading and Math scores provided achievement in reading and math. An analysis of data on 636 second through fifth grade participants revealed a significant inverse relationship between teacher ratings of student behavior and achievement. Thirteen of the fifteen models suggested that teachers’ ratings of behavior indicated with greater accuracy students at risk for academic difficulties than did the model without the behavior ratings. While two models were not significant, they clearly suggested an inverse relationship between behavior and achievement. Logistic Regression analyses suggested that the BASC-TRS-C Screener predicted with 90% accuracy the pass fail classification group associated with the score. The odds ratio suggested that with each point decrease on the BASC-TRS-C Screener score, (in which high scores equal greater behavior concerns) the chances of passing the Criterion Referenced Competency Test reading high stakes test increased by 5%. In the area of math, the odds of passing increased by 6% with each point decrease on the BASC-TRS-C Screener. Other findings suggested that minorities have a significantly greater risk (p < .05) of failing the Criterion Reference Competency Test in the areas of reading, math, or both reading and math than do their same age peers.

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