Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patched-1 Intracellular Domains Interact with E3 Ubiquitin Ligases Smurf2 and Itch

Patched-1 (Ptch1) is the primary receptor of the Hedgehog signalling pathway and mediates both canonical and non-canonical signalling. Previously our lab identified a group of proteins that interact with the C-terminus of murine Ptch1 that possessed SH3and WWbinding domains, chief among them being C2-WW-HECT E3 ubiquitin ligases. Using a molecular-based approach, we showed that E3 ligases Smurf2 and Itch bind through sequences within the large intracellular middle loop and C-terminus of murine Ptch1 (mPtch1). We further demonstrated that mPtch1 is ubiquitinated in the presence of Smurf2 and Itch and this requires the middle loop and C-terminus. We also showed that mPtch1 can oligomerize and that the stability of mPtch1 is affected when the middle loop and C-terminus are deleted. Together, these data reveal a role for E3 ubiquitin ligases in mediating protein turnover of mPtch1 and show that the intracellular domains of mPtch1 interact with distinct protein factors.
MOLECULAR SYSTEMATICS AND THE ROLE OF THE “VÁRZEA”–“TERRA-FIRME” ECOTONE IN THE DIVERSIFICATION OF XIPHORHYNCHUS WOODCREEPERS (AVES: DENDROCOLAPTIDAE)

Abstract The phylogeny of all known Xiphorhynchus (Dendrocolaptidae) species and many of its subspecies was reconstructed to evaluate species limits in this taxonomically challenging genus and investigate the possible role played by the Amazonian “várzea” (floodplain forest)–“terra-firme” (upland forest) ecotone in its diversification. Phylogenies were inferred based on 2,430 bp of the mitochondrial DNA genes ND2, ND3, and cytochrome b. All phylogeny estimates supported the monophyly of all extant Xiphorhynchus species to the exclusion of the sibling species pair Straight-billed (X. picus) and Zimmer's (X. kienerii) woodcreeper. Confirming findings of previous molecular and anatomical studies, strong support was found to include the Lesser Woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes fuscus) in Xiphorhynchus. Levels of sequence divergence among some subspecies of Buff-throated (X. guttatus), Ocellated (X. ocellatus), and Spix's (X. spixii) woodcreepers reached or exceeded those found between closely related, undisputed biological species of Xiphorhynchus. High levels of sequence differentiation and the paraphyly of some Xiphorhynchus species indicated that the following taxa should be recognized as species: Lafresnaye's (X. guttatoides), Tschudi's (X. chunchotambo), and Elegant (X. elegans) woodcreepers. All Xiphorhynchus species restricted to terra-firme forest in lowland Amazonia formed a well supported monophyletic group, whereas species restricted to várzea forest were either basal to a clade containing species found in a wide variety of habitats (Striped Woodcreeper [X. obsoletus]) or belonged to a distinct lineage likely to be regarded as a separate genus (X. kienerii). These findings falsified an anticipated sister relationship between várzea and terra-firme species, as expected if the várzea–terra-firme ecotone had played a decisive role in population differentiation and speciation within Xiphorhynchus. Instead, phylogeny estimates suggested that the várzea–terra-firme habitat specialization evolved early on in the evolutionary history of Xiphorhynchus and that subsequent differentiation occurred mostly within the terra-firme habitat.
Short-term collisional evolution of a disc perturbed by a giant-planet embryo

A simple numerical model has been developed to study the evolution of a disc of planetesimals under mutual inelastic collisions in the potential field of a central body and of an embedded giant-planet embryo. Masses for the latter range from 0.5 to 300 Earth masses. A mass of $15 M_{\oplus} $ is typical of the solid-core model for the formation of giant planets. The initially cold disc consists of a few thousand particles. Those initially present between one and three Hill radii from the perturber's orbit are transferred to very eccentric orbits causing violent collisions throughout the disc. The perturbation propagates far from the perturber, like a heat transfer: a $15 M_{\oplus} $ perturber orbiting at 5.2 a.u. heats up the disc from 2.3 to at least 11 a.u. from the central body in a few 10 5 to 10 6 years. Relative velocities are typically increased by a factor of 10 to 100. The extent of the heated region increases with the protoplanet's mass while the propagation timescale decreases. The resulting radial mixing has potential applications for the origin of the Asteroid Belt, in particular for the radial distribution of the asteroid's spectroscopic families.
Population and its Impact on level of Unemployment in Least Developed Countries: An Appraisal of the Nigerian Economy

This paper deals with the population and the problem of unemployment in LDCs. The economies of the LDCs are characterized by high population growth. They are facing great challenge in generating adequate job opportunities for their teeming population. Many facts and data from notable authors, agencies, websites and organizations were analyzed and discussed in this paper regarding this problem. Nigeria is not left out as their population ever increases with limited number of job opportunities. The factors responsible for the increase in the level of unemployment in Nigeria includes: rural urban migration, wrong government policies, urban bias, lack of population control, lack of mental skill and practicability, corruption and Inspirited Entrepreneur drive. Reviewing the socio-economic organization, monitoring rural-urban migration, promoting agriculture and entrepreneurship programmes, Investment in human capital, and encouraging Public Private Partnership etc. were some of the recommendations made to avoid a “worst-case scenario” of the above problem and to realize the nation’s vision as being one of the leading economies by the year 2020.
Mathematical modeling of the drying process of corn ears

The objective of this work was to study and model the drying process of corn ears at different air temperatures. Thermodynamic properties associated with the drying process of this product were also determined. Corn ears with initial moisture content of 0.45 dry basis (kgw kgdm-1) were dried until they reached a final moisture content of 0.12 (kgw kgdm-1) at temperatures of 45, 55 and 65°C. Traditional models used to describe the drying process of several agricultural products were employed to fit the observed data of the drying process of corn ears. The effective diffusion coefficient (Def) was determined by means of an analytical solution of Fick's second law. It was concluded that the Logarithmic model was the one that best fit the observed data representing the drying process. Def values increased with temperature increases, ranging from 5.490 x 10-10 to 1.163 x 10-9 m2 s-1. Based on the dependence of the drying constant of the Logarithmic model with temperature, thermodynamic properties were determined, concluding that the drying kinetics variation is dependent on the energy contributions of the surrounding environment.
Examining the Oral Communication Strategies Used by a Group of Nepalese Adult Learners in an ESL Context

This paper sought to examine the oral communication strategies (CSs) used by a group of Nepalese adult learners in an oral task in an ESL context. There has been a long history of CS studies in L2 acquisition research; however, there are no studies yet reporting the CSs employed by Nepalese learners in an ESL context. Hence, six Nepalese learners with intermediate language proficiency were engaged in a picture storytelling task . Their narrations were recorded and transcribed, and their responses during the interview were elicited. Four significant results were revealed. Firstly, the Nepalese learners experienced a considerable amount of communication difficulties as manifested by various gap markers. To overcome these problems, the learners simultaneously used a variety of non-verbal CSs alongside verbal CSs. Secondly, linguistic errors were abound in their narrations but were ignored due to their communication goal. Hence, there are areas of communication (e.g., vocabulary and sentence structure) where the learners were having trouble, and these concerns should require instructional attention. Thirdly, the majority of the verbal CSs were avoidance strategies while most of the non-verbal CSs were achievement strategies. Lastly, examining the CSs used by the learners paved the way to culture-based strategies that were employed during storytelling. These CSs provided new inputs to the existing CS frameworks used by English language learners. Implications for language teaching and learning as well as future research are discussed. Keywords: oral communication; communication strategies; gap markers; Nepalese adult learners in an ESL context; culture-based strategies
On the limits of L1 influence on non-L1 listening: Evidence from Japanese perception of Korean

Language-specific procedures which are efficient for listening to the L1 may be applied to non-native spoken input, often to the detriment of successful listening. However, such misapplications of L1-based listening do not always happen. We propose, based on the results from two experiments in which Japanese listeners detected target sequences in spoken Korean, that an L1 procedure is only triggered if requisite L1 features are present in the input.
Energy expenditure of middle school children while playing Wii sports games.

According to a study from the Kaiser Family Foundation, total media use among all 8- to 18-year-olds was seven hours and thirty-eight minutes on a typical day (Rideout, Foehr, & Roberts, 2010). The large amount of time spent in media use has been implicated as one of the causes of the increased prevalence of obesity. The purposes of this study were to measure: 1) the total level of energy expenditure (EE) while middle school children played the Wii Sports games when given free access to all of the games, 2) the length of time they played each game, and 3) the differences in EE between games. Thirty-seven children (15 males and 22 females) with an average age of 12.4 ± 1.0 years participated in this study. Each had experience with Wii Sports. Participants were given 20 minutes to play any of the Wii Sports games they desired while their expired gases were captured by a calibrated portable metabolic cart. Heart rate was monitored with a Polar® heart rate monitor. Baseball and bowling were the most popular games. Energy expenditure was greater after playing the Wii for each game except golf. The average EE during the game playing time was 2.8 ± 0.9 kcal/min, compared to 1.4 ± 0.4 kcal/min while at rest prior to testing. Playing Wii Sports can moderately increase the EE of children over rest.
Some Peripheral Biofeedback Modules in the Treatment of Chronic Diseases in Children

Biofeedback therapy is a non-drug treatment in which patients learn to control bodily processes that are normally involuntary, such as muscle tension, blood pressure, or heart rate. In this paper we present results obtained with Electro Dermal Response (EDR) and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) applied as adjuvant therapy in chronic pediatric patients. The methodology can be used in scholar settings for stress reducing in pupils and teachers. The evaluated group comprises children and adolescents with: a) cystic fibrosis (N = 40 mean age = 17.5 years ± 23.18 SD); b) bronchial asthma (N = 35, mean age = 11.5 years ± 18.84 SD); c) epilepsy (N = 45, mean age = 13.5 years ± 15.34 SD); and d) diabetes mellitus (N = 30, mean age = 12.5 years ± 12.3 SD). Study showed that peripheral biofeedback is very helpful tool for chronic disorders in children. Both (EDR and HRV) methods confirmed changes on the stress level very significantly. This therapy is non-invasive, easy for application, children accept it with interest and it is cost-effective.
Mismatch and misalignment: dark haloes and satellites of disc galaxies

We study the phase-space distribution of satellite galaxies associated with late-type galaxies in the GIMIC suite of simulations. GIMIC consists of resimulations of five cosmologically representative regions from the Millennium Simulation, which have higher resolution and incorporate baryonic physics. Whilst the disc of the galaxy is well aligned with the inner regions (r ∼ 0.1r200) of the dark matter halo, both in shape and angular momentum, there can be substantial misalignments at larger radii (r ∼r200). Misalignments of >45 ◦ are seen in ∼30 per cent of our sample. We find that the satellite population aligns with the shape (and angular momentum) of the outer dark matter halo. However, the alignment with the galaxy is weak owing to the mismatch between the disc and dark matter halo. Roughly 20 per cent of the satellite systems with 10 bright galaxies within r200 exhibit a polar spatial alignment with respect to the galaxy – an orientation reminiscent of the classical satellites of the Milky Way. We find that a small fraction (∼10 per cent) of satellite systems show evidence for rotational support which we attribute to group infall. There is a bias towards satellites on prograde orbits relative to the spin of the dark matter halo (and to a lesser extent with the angular momentum of the disc). This preference towards co-rotation is stronger in the inner regions of the halo where the most massive satellites accreted at relatively early times are located. We attribute the anisotropic spatial distribution and angular momentum bias of the satellites at z = 0 to their directional accretion along the major axes of the dark matter halo. The satellite galaxies have been accreted relatively recently compared to the dark matter mass and have experienced less phase-mixing and relaxation – the memory of their accretion history can remain intact to z = 0. Understanding the phase-space distribution of the z = 0 satellite population is key for studies that estimate the host halo mass from the line-of-sight velocities and projected positions of satellite galaxies. We quantify the effects of such systematics in estimates of the host halo mass from the satellite population.
The mediating effect of leverage and dividend policy on the influence of corporate governance towards firm value

This study examines the mediating effect of leverage and dividend policy on the influence of corporate governance towards firm value. This is a quantitative study used secondary data of 181 companies listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX) in the year of 2014. The results showed that leverage did not mediate corporate governance-firm value relationship, and devidend policy partially mediated corporate governance-firm value relationship
Reversible histoarchitecture study of testis and cauda epididymis and changes in cauda epididymal epithelial cell types on treatment with benzene extract of Ocimum sanctum leaves in albino rats

In the present study, an attempt has been made to assess whether the effect of benzene extract of Ocimum sanctum leaves on the ultrastructural changes in the epithelial cells of the cauda epididymis, its subsequent recovery in the seminiferous epithelium and fertility of male albino rats. Wistar strain male albino rats were orally administered benzene extract of 250 mg/kg body weight of O. sanctum leaves followed by subsequent recovery maintaining suitable controls for 48 days. Results indicate decrease in the weights of testis, epididymis and seminal vesicles. Other accessory organs were not affected. Total count, cell and nuclei diameters of germ cells and Leydig cells were reduced. Cauda epididymis exhibited significant reduction in epithelial height and nuclei diameter of epithelial cells. Cells showed vacuolization with exhibit of signs of degeneration. Ultra study revealed that, in general, the cauda epididymis was affected and in particular, the principal, clear and basal cells were highly disturbed. Further, there was decrease in the size of lipid droplets, mitochondria, Golgi complex, endoplasmic reticulum and accumulation of lysosomal bodies. Fertility performance test showed no implantation in female rats mated with O. sanctum treated rats. Moreover, their recovery after withdrawal of treatment was observed suggesting that the effect of the treatment is transient and reversible. A recovery period resulted in normal spermatogenesis and fertility, suggesting reversible antispermatogenic and antifertility effects of the plant.
Macroprudential Regulation and Macroeconomic Activity

This paper develops a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model to examine the impact of macroprudential regulation on bank’s financial decisions and the implications for the real sector. I explicitly incorporate costs and benefits of capital requirements. I model an occasionally binding capital constraint and approximate it using an asymmetric non linear penalty function. This friction means that the banks refrain from valuable lending. At the same time, countercyclical buffers provide structural stability to the financial system. I show that higher capital requirements can dampen the business cycle fluctuations. I also show that stronger regulation can induce banks to hold buffers and hence mitigate an economic downturn as well. Increasing the capital requirements do not seem to have an adverse effect on the welfare. Lastly, I also show that switching to a countercyclical capital requirement regime can help reduce fluctuations and raise welfare.
The unusual summer of 1994 in East Asia: IOD teleconnections

An extremely hot and dry summer of 1994 was reported in East Asian countries. Using observational data, we have demonstrated that the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is at least one possible cause of the abnormal East Asian summer climate. An anomalous cyclonic circulation over the western Pacific and the southern China weakened the monsoonal northward flow in the lower troposphere. An anomalous anticyclonic circulation with the equivalent barotropic structure around Japan, Korea and the northeastern part of China caused the hot and dry summer of 1994. This accumulation of the lower potential vorticity in the Far East is related to the wave activity from the Mediterranean/Sahara region. The monsoon‐desert mechanism connects a Rossby wave source with the IOD‐induced diabatic heating around the Bay of Bengal. Another Rossby wave‐train pattern was generated in the upper troposphere and propagates northeastward from the southern China. Both the Rossby wave patterns influenced the circulation changes over East Asia.
Inhibitory Activity of Citrus Madurensis Ripe Fruits Extract on Antigen-induced Degranulation in RBL-2H3 Cells

The purpose of this study was to search edible ripe Citrus fruits which are applicable for functional food materials as juice, tea and/or jam with sweet taste and rich aroma. A fifty percent ethanolic extract (CMR-ext) obtained from the edible ripe fruit of Citrus madurensis exhibited an inhibitory activity of antigen-induced degranulation in anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE antibody sensitized rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) -2H3 cells. The inhibitory effect of the CMR-ext on degranulation in RBL-2H3 cells was attributable to 3’,5’-di-C-β-glucopyranosylphloretin (1) which is a constituent of C. madurensis. The effect of 1 on Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) phosphorylation was examined in RBL-2H3 cells. Western blot analysis revealed that 1 (50 μM) inhibited the degranulation by suppression of Akt and p38 phosphorylation.
The phase field technique for modeling multiphase materials

This paper reviews methods and applications of the phase field technique, one of the fastest growing areas in computational materials science. The phase field method is used as a theory and computational tool for predictions of the evolution of arbitrarily shaped morphologies and complex microstructures in materials. In this method, the interface between two phases (e.g. solid and liquid) is treated as a region of finite width having a gradual variation of different physical quantities, i.e. it is a diffuse interface model. An auxiliary variable, the phase field or order parameter , is introduced, which distinguishes one phase from the other. Interfaces are identified by the variation of the phase field. We begin with presenting the physical background of the phase field method and give a detailed thermodynamical derivation of the phase field equations. We demonstrate how equilibrium and non-equilibrium physical phenomena at the phase interface are incorporated into the phase field methods. Then we address in detail dendritic and directional solidification of pure and multicomponent alloys, effects of natural convection and forced flow, grain growth, nucleation, solid–solid phase transformation and highlight other applications of the phase field methods. In particular, we review the novel phase field crystal model, which combines atomistic length scales with diffusive time scales. We also discuss aspects of quantitative phase field modeling such as thin interface asymptotic analysis and coupling to thermodynamic databases. The phase field methods result in a set of partial differential equations, whose solutions require time-consuming large-scale computations and often limit the applicability of the method. Subsequently, we review numerical approaches to solve the phase field equations and present a finite difference discretization of the anisotropic Laplacian operator.
Die-back of kiaat (Pterocarpus angolensis) in southern Africa: a cause for concern?

Pterocarpus angolensis (kiaat) is a well-known southern African tree species of commercial importance that occurs in several vegetation types in the Zambezian regional centre of endemism. The most prominent of these vegetation types are the Zambezian miombo woodland and undifferentiated woodland. A diverse range of ecosystems within these vegetation types necessitate adaptation by tree species to survive extremes of drought, temperature, altitude, soil nutrition and tolerate fire in order to compete with other plant species. There are several reports of a die-back disease of P. angolensis in Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa, but very little is known regarding the cause or significance of this problem. In this review, we provide details regarding the history of the disease and consider its possible causal agents. A pathology study conducted at three locations in South Africa on diseased and dying trees resulted in the collection of 199 fungal isolates; comprising saprophytic species such as Candida, Penicillium and Humicola, and potentially pathogenic species such as Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Cytospora spp. and Fusarium spp. Drought, during several years preceding disease, along with a lack of fire management may have contributed to both the present and past reports of tree die-back and death. Finally, an analysis is made of the importance of the problem and actions that might be taken to alleviate it.