title: First demonstration of antigen induced cytokine expression by CD4-1⁺ lymphocytes in a poikilotherm: Studies in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

authors: Yoon, Sohye

abstract: Adaptive immunity in homeotherms depends greatly on CD4+ Th cells which release cytokines in response to specific antigen stimulation. Whilst bony fish and poikilothermic tetrapods possess cells that express TcR and CD4-related genes (that exist in two forms in teleost fish; termed CD4-1 and CD4-2), to date there is no unequivocal demonstration that cells equivalent to Th exist. Thus, in this study we determined whether CD4-1⁺ lymphocytes can express cytokines typical of Th cells following antigen specific stimulation, using the zebrafish (Danio rerio). Initially, we analyzed the CD4 locus in zebrafish and found three CD4 homologues, a CD4-1 molecule and two CD4-2 molecules. The zfCD4-1 and zfCD4-2 transcripts were detected in immune organs and were most highly expressed in lymphocytes. A polyclonal antibody to zfCD4-1 was developed and used with an antibody to ZAP70 and revealed double positive cells by immunohistochemistry, and in the Mycobacterium marinum disease model CD4-1⁺ cells were apparent surrounding the granulomas typical of the infection. Next a prime-boost experiment, using human gamma globulin as antigen, was performed and revealed for the first time in fish that zfCD4-1⁺ lymphocytes increase the expression of cytokines and master transcription factors relevant to Th1/Th2- type responses as a consequence of boosting with specific antigen.

text: First demonstration of antigen induced cytokine expression by CD4-1⁺ lymphocytes in a poikilotherm: Studies in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Adaptive immunity in homeotherms depends greatly on CD4+ Th cells which release cytokines in response to specific antigen stimulation. Whilst bony fish and poikilothermic tetrapods possess cells that express TcR and CD4-related genes (that exist in two forms in teleost fish; termed CD4-1 and CD4-2), to date there is no unequivocal demonstration that cells equivalent to Th exist. Thus, in this study we determined whether CD4-1⁺ lymphocytes can express cytokines typical of Th cells following antigen specific stimulation, using the zebrafish (Danio rerio). Initially, we analyzed the CD4 locus in zebrafish and found three CD4 homologues, a CD4-1 molecule and two CD4-2 molecules. The zfCD4-1 and zfCD4-2 transcripts were detected in immune organs and were most highly expressed in lymphocytes. A polyclonal antibody to zfCD4-1 was developed and used with an antibody to ZAP70 and revealed double positive cells by immunohistochemistry, and in the Mycobacterium marinum disease model CD4-1⁺ cells were apparent surrounding the granulomas typical of the infection. Next a prime-boost experiment, using human gamma globulin as antigen, was performed and revealed for the first time in fish that zfCD4-1⁺ lymphocytes increase the expression of cytokines and master transcription factors relevant to Th1/Th2- type responses as a consequence of boosting with specific antigen.

year: 2015-06-17

title: Influences of monetary incentives on Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) performance

authors: Taylor, Tokiko

abstract: Performance-based incentives may improve the validity of results from implicit attitude assessment tasks and improve attrition rates. Participants working to obtain the incentive may be less likely to edit their responses to conform to social expectations and more likely to meet experimental inclusion criteria. We examined the influences of a monetary incentive ($20 voucher) for fast and accurate performance on an Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) task evaluating implicit attitudes about bodyweight. We randomly assigned 82 university students to incentive and control (non-incentive) groups. Although there was no significant effect on accuracy or latency measures, participants in the incentive group displayed a significantly stronger bias against overweight individuals than did participants in the control group. There were no differences between groups with respect to attitudes toward slim individuals. More participants in the incentive group (97.5%) met performance criteria than in the control group (87.8%). These results suggest that incentives for meeting performance criteria may reduce the attrition rate and increase the validity of the IRAP and other implicit measures, but additional research is required to determine the predictive validity of implicit attitude assessments with and without performance-based incentives.

text: Influences of monetary incentives on Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) performance Performance-based incentives may improve the validity of results from implicit attitude assessment tasks and improve attrition rates. Participants working to obtain the incentive may be less likely to edit their responses to conform to social expectations and more likely to meet experimental inclusion criteria. We examined the influences of a monetary incentive ($20 voucher) for fast and accurate performance on an Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) task evaluating implicit attitudes about bodyweight. We randomly assigned 82 university students to incentive and control (non-incentive) groups. Although there was no significant effect on accuracy or latency measures, participants in the incentive group displayed a significantly stronger bias against overweight individuals than did participants in the control group. There were no differences between groups with respect to attitudes toward slim individuals. More participants in the incentive group (97.5%) met performance criteria than in the control group (87.8%). These results suggest that incentives for meeting performance criteria may reduce the attrition rate and increase the validity of the IRAP and other implicit measures, but additional research is required to determine the predictive validity of implicit attitude assessments with and without performance-based incentives.

year: 2021

title: Te tātari i te kaupapa

authors: Ka'ai, Tānia M.

abstract: The primary objective of this thesis focuses on the linking of the National Qualifications Framework and standards-based assessment as an emancipatory mechanism for Māori in Kaupapa Māori schooling and the wider Māori community in New Zealand.

Argued from an eclectic theoretical approach incorporating Kaupapa Māori theory, it espouses a position which rejects structural inequalities that perpetuate the subordinate positioning of Māori people through the development of culturally responsive assessment theories and practices in written language for teachers and children in Kura Kaupapa Māori which purport a culturally responsive pedagogy.

The thesis also links curriculum, assessment and pedagogy using Kaupapa Māori theory which provides insights into Māori views of emancipation in education.

text: Te tātari i te kaupapa The primary objective of this thesis focuses on the linking of the National Qualifications Framework and standards-based assessment as an emancipatory mechanism for Māori in Kaupapa Māori schooling and the wider Māori community in New Zealand.

Argued from an eclectic theoretical approach incorporating Kaupapa Māori theory, it espouses a position which rejects structural inequalities that perpetuate the subordinate positioning of Māori people through the development of culturally responsive assessment theories and practices in written language for teachers and children in Kura Kaupapa Māori which purport a culturally responsive pedagogy.

The thesis also links curriculum, assessment and pedagogy using Kaupapa Māori theory which provides insights into Māori views of emancipation in education.

year: 1995