Changes in information technology (IT) necessitate a renewed reflection on graduate programs in I... more Changes in information technology (IT) necessitate a renewed reflection on graduate programs in Information Systems (IS). As the IT workforce is becoming increasingly global and diverse, graduate education must respond. To maintain relevance within this changing environment and to meet new market demands, master’s programs in information systems, geared especially towards working professionals, are becoming more evident. New integrated formats for learning, with a focus on IT leadership and management, have been emerging in the past ten years. However, the IS/IT education research and literature seem to not have caught on to this new trend yet.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021
Oocytes and preimplantation embryos require careful regulation of the redox environment for optim... more Oocytes and preimplantation embryos require careful regulation of the redox environment for optimal development both in vivo and in vitro. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated throughout development as a result of cellular metabolism and enzyme reactions. ROS production can result in (i) oxidative eustress, where ROS are helpful signalling molecules with beneficial physiological functions and where the redox state of the cell is maintained within homeostatic range by a closely coupled system of antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes, or (ii) oxidative distress, where excess ROS are deleterious and impair normal cellular function. in vitro culture of embryos exacerbates ROS production due to a range of issues including culture-medium composition and laboratory culture conditions. This increase in ROS can be detrimental not only to assisted reproductive success rates but can also result in epigenetic and genetic changes in the embryo, resulting in transgenerational effects. This ...
Exposure of oocytes to specific amino acids during in vitro fertilisation (IVF) improves preimpla... more Exposure of oocytes to specific amino acids during in vitro fertilisation (IVF) improves preimplantation embryo development. Embryos fertilised in medium with proline and its homologue pipecolic acid showed increased blastocyst formation and inner cell mass cell numbers compared to embryos fertilised in medium containing no amino acids, betaine, glycine, or histidine. The beneficial effect of proline was prevented by the addition of excess betaine, glycine, and histidine, indicating competitive inhibition of transport-mediated uptake. Expression of transporters of proline in oocytes was investigated by measuring the rate of uptake of radiolabelled proline in the presence of unlabelled amino acids. Three transporters were identified, one that was sodium-dependent, PROT (SLC6A7), and two others that were sodium-independent, PAT1 (SLC36A1) and PAT2 (SLC36A2). Immunofluorescent staining showed localisation of PROT in intracellular vesicles and limited expression in the plasma membrane, ...
This paper focuses on the emergence of the “underclass,” and the decline of the “culture of pover... more This paper focuses on the emergence of the “underclass,” and the decline of the “culture of poverty,” as terminologies used in scholarly and popular analysis of certain lowincome groups in American society. It is argued that the theoretical cores of these two concepts are similar but not identical, and that a shift in “public language” has occurred. This shift represents the most recent chapter in the historical process of word substitution that Matza (1966) claims has characterized society’s response to the disreputable poor. The factors responsible for this shift are analyzed, and the consequent potential for miscommunication is highlighted.
Multiple pluripotent cell populations, which together comprise the pluripotent cell lineage, have... more Multiple pluripotent cell populations, which together comprise the pluripotent cell lineage, have been identified. The mechanisms that control the progression between these populations are still poorly understood. The formation of early primitive ectoderm-like (EPL) cells from mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells provides a model to understand how one such transition is regulated. EPL cells form from mES cells in response to l-proline uptake through the transporter Slc38a2. Using inhibitors of cell signaling we have shown that Src family kinases, p38 MAPK, ERK1/2 and GSK3β are required for the transition between mES and EPL cells. ERK1/2, c-Src and GSK3β are likely to be enforcing a receptive, primed state in mES cells, while Src family kinases and p38 MAPK are involved in the establishment of EPL cells. Inhibition of these pathways prevented the acquisition of most, but not all, features of EPL cells, suggesting that other pathways are required. L-proline activation of differentiation ...
As part of our ongoing efforts to understand underlying mechanisms contributing to radiation-asso... more As part of our ongoing efforts to understand underlying mechanisms contributing to radiation-associated bone fragility and to identify possible treatments, we evaluated the longitudinal effects of parathyroid hormone (PTH) treatment on bone quality in a murine model of limited field irradiation. We hypothesized PTH would mitigate radiation-induced changes in the chemical composition and structure of bone, as measured by microscope-based Raman spectroscopy. We further hypothesized that collagen crosslinking would be especially responsive to PTH treatment. Raman spectroscopy was performed on retrieved tibiae (6-7/group/time point) to quantify metrics associated with bone quality, including: mineral-to-matrix ratio, carbonate-to-phosphate ratio, mineral crystallinity, collagen crosslink (trivalent:divalent) ratio, and the mineral and matrix depolarization ratios. Irradiation disrupted the molecular structure and orientation of bone collagen, as evidenced by a higher collagen crosslink ...
The aim of the present study was to identify specific behavioral patterns that contribute to dimi... more The aim of the present study was to identify specific behavioral patterns that contribute to diminished estrus expression in lame cows. Behavioral scan and focal sampling were used to examine the effect of lameness on daily activity budgets, sexual behavior, feeding activities, and body condition score. A total of 59 milking cows (51.8 +/- 1.4 d postpartum) were monitored on a commercial dairy farm for 5 d following estrus synchronization. Overall, lame cows (n = 39) spent proportionately less time elevated on their feet and more time lying down compared with nonlame cows (n = 20). This included lame cows spending less time walking or standing. Overall, the total proportion of scans in which an estrous behavior was observed was very small but tended to be smaller for lame compared with nonlame cows. Throughout a day, lame cows displayed a lower proportion of estrous behaviors in the early morning. Lameness did not affect durations of drinking, grazing, or ruminating, or how these be...
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 1999
Understanding the dynamics of technology acceptance by intended users has proved a very difficult... more Understanding the dynamics of technology acceptance by intended users has proved a very difficult problem but it remains a key question for developers, implementers and system procurers. In the present paper we draw on existing findings from two independent research traditions (HCI and MIS) to propose a unified model of the factors that seem to be important determinants of use. This model is represented in conceptual terms and it is proposed as an enabling framework for human factors practitioners to apply the basic principles of acceptance throughout the development and implementation process.
Raman spectroscopy is increasingly commonly used to understand how changes in bone composition an... more Raman spectroscopy is increasingly commonly used to understand how changes in bone composition and structure influence tissue-level bone mechanical properties. The spectroscopic technique provides information on bone mineral and matrix collagen components and on the effects of various matrix proteins on bone material properties as well. The Raman spectrum of bone not only contains information on bone mineral crystallinity that is related to bone hardness but also provides information on the orientation of mineral crystallites with respect to the collagen fibril axis. Indirect information on collagen cross-links is also available and will be discussed. After a short introduction to bone Raman spectroscopic parameters and collection methodologies, advances in in vivo Raman spectroscopic measurements for animal and human subject studies will be reviewed. A discussion on the effects of aging, osteogenesis imperfecta, osteoporosis and therapeutic agents on bone composition and mechanical...
Changes in information technology (IT) necessitate a renewed reflection on graduate programs in I... more Changes in information technology (IT) necessitate a renewed reflection on graduate programs in Information Systems (IS). As the IT workforce is becoming increasingly global and diverse, graduate education must respond. To maintain relevance within this changing environment and to meet new market demands, master’s programs in information systems, geared especially towards working professionals, are becoming more evident. New integrated formats for learning, with a focus on IT leadership and management, have been emerging in the past ten years. However, the IS/IT education research and literature seem to not have caught on to this new trend yet.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021
Oocytes and preimplantation embryos require careful regulation of the redox environment for optim... more Oocytes and preimplantation embryos require careful regulation of the redox environment for optimal development both in vivo and in vitro. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated throughout development as a result of cellular metabolism and enzyme reactions. ROS production can result in (i) oxidative eustress, where ROS are helpful signalling molecules with beneficial physiological functions and where the redox state of the cell is maintained within homeostatic range by a closely coupled system of antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes, or (ii) oxidative distress, where excess ROS are deleterious and impair normal cellular function. in vitro culture of embryos exacerbates ROS production due to a range of issues including culture-medium composition and laboratory culture conditions. This increase in ROS can be detrimental not only to assisted reproductive success rates but can also result in epigenetic and genetic changes in the embryo, resulting in transgenerational effects. This ...
Exposure of oocytes to specific amino acids during in vitro fertilisation (IVF) improves preimpla... more Exposure of oocytes to specific amino acids during in vitro fertilisation (IVF) improves preimplantation embryo development. Embryos fertilised in medium with proline and its homologue pipecolic acid showed increased blastocyst formation and inner cell mass cell numbers compared to embryos fertilised in medium containing no amino acids, betaine, glycine, or histidine. The beneficial effect of proline was prevented by the addition of excess betaine, glycine, and histidine, indicating competitive inhibition of transport-mediated uptake. Expression of transporters of proline in oocytes was investigated by measuring the rate of uptake of radiolabelled proline in the presence of unlabelled amino acids. Three transporters were identified, one that was sodium-dependent, PROT (SLC6A7), and two others that were sodium-independent, PAT1 (SLC36A1) and PAT2 (SLC36A2). Immunofluorescent staining showed localisation of PROT in intracellular vesicles and limited expression in the plasma membrane, ...
This paper focuses on the emergence of the “underclass,” and the decline of the “culture of pover... more This paper focuses on the emergence of the “underclass,” and the decline of the “culture of poverty,” as terminologies used in scholarly and popular analysis of certain lowincome groups in American society. It is argued that the theoretical cores of these two concepts are similar but not identical, and that a shift in “public language” has occurred. This shift represents the most recent chapter in the historical process of word substitution that Matza (1966) claims has characterized society’s response to the disreputable poor. The factors responsible for this shift are analyzed, and the consequent potential for miscommunication is highlighted.
Multiple pluripotent cell populations, which together comprise the pluripotent cell lineage, have... more Multiple pluripotent cell populations, which together comprise the pluripotent cell lineage, have been identified. The mechanisms that control the progression between these populations are still poorly understood. The formation of early primitive ectoderm-like (EPL) cells from mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells provides a model to understand how one such transition is regulated. EPL cells form from mES cells in response to l-proline uptake through the transporter Slc38a2. Using inhibitors of cell signaling we have shown that Src family kinases, p38 MAPK, ERK1/2 and GSK3β are required for the transition between mES and EPL cells. ERK1/2, c-Src and GSK3β are likely to be enforcing a receptive, primed state in mES cells, while Src family kinases and p38 MAPK are involved in the establishment of EPL cells. Inhibition of these pathways prevented the acquisition of most, but not all, features of EPL cells, suggesting that other pathways are required. L-proline activation of differentiation ...
As part of our ongoing efforts to understand underlying mechanisms contributing to radiation-asso... more As part of our ongoing efforts to understand underlying mechanisms contributing to radiation-associated bone fragility and to identify possible treatments, we evaluated the longitudinal effects of parathyroid hormone (PTH) treatment on bone quality in a murine model of limited field irradiation. We hypothesized PTH would mitigate radiation-induced changes in the chemical composition and structure of bone, as measured by microscope-based Raman spectroscopy. We further hypothesized that collagen crosslinking would be especially responsive to PTH treatment. Raman spectroscopy was performed on retrieved tibiae (6-7/group/time point) to quantify metrics associated with bone quality, including: mineral-to-matrix ratio, carbonate-to-phosphate ratio, mineral crystallinity, collagen crosslink (trivalent:divalent) ratio, and the mineral and matrix depolarization ratios. Irradiation disrupted the molecular structure and orientation of bone collagen, as evidenced by a higher collagen crosslink ...
The aim of the present study was to identify specific behavioral patterns that contribute to dimi... more The aim of the present study was to identify specific behavioral patterns that contribute to diminished estrus expression in lame cows. Behavioral scan and focal sampling were used to examine the effect of lameness on daily activity budgets, sexual behavior, feeding activities, and body condition score. A total of 59 milking cows (51.8 +/- 1.4 d postpartum) were monitored on a commercial dairy farm for 5 d following estrus synchronization. Overall, lame cows (n = 39) spent proportionately less time elevated on their feet and more time lying down compared with nonlame cows (n = 20). This included lame cows spending less time walking or standing. Overall, the total proportion of scans in which an estrous behavior was observed was very small but tended to be smaller for lame compared with nonlame cows. Throughout a day, lame cows displayed a lower proportion of estrous behaviors in the early morning. Lameness did not affect durations of drinking, grazing, or ruminating, or how these be...
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 1999
Understanding the dynamics of technology acceptance by intended users has proved a very difficult... more Understanding the dynamics of technology acceptance by intended users has proved a very difficult problem but it remains a key question for developers, implementers and system procurers. In the present paper we draw on existing findings from two independent research traditions (HCI and MIS) to propose a unified model of the factors that seem to be important determinants of use. This model is represented in conceptual terms and it is proposed as an enabling framework for human factors practitioners to apply the basic principles of acceptance throughout the development and implementation process.
Raman spectroscopy is increasingly commonly used to understand how changes in bone composition an... more Raman spectroscopy is increasingly commonly used to understand how changes in bone composition and structure influence tissue-level bone mechanical properties. The spectroscopic technique provides information on bone mineral and matrix collagen components and on the effects of various matrix proteins on bone material properties as well. The Raman spectrum of bone not only contains information on bone mineral crystallinity that is related to bone hardness but also provides information on the orientation of mineral crystallites with respect to the collagen fibril axis. Indirect information on collagen cross-links is also available and will be discussed. After a short introduction to bone Raman spectroscopic parameters and collection methodologies, advances in in vivo Raman spectroscopic measurements for animal and human subject studies will be reviewed. A discussion on the effects of aging, osteogenesis imperfecta, osteoporosis and therapeutic agents on bone composition and mechanical...
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