Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
'Sisters are Doin' it for Themselves': An investigation of the active resiliency of single mothers receiving Ontario Works

‘SISTERS ARE DOIN’ IT FOR THEMSELVES’: AN INVESTIGATION OF THE ACTIVE RESILIENCY OF SINGLE MOTHERS RECEIVING ONTARIO WORKS Ceilidh Wilson Advisor: University of Guelph, 2013 Professor Vivian Shalla This thesis adopts a feminist political economy perspective to explore the lived experiences of twelve single mother recipients of social assistance in the Hamilton area, examining the struggles they face as a result of their receipt of social assistance, as well as the coping mechanisms they employ to improve their families’ overall wellbeing. This thesis focuses on the various social and economic resources that these women utilize in their daily lives, as well as the strength and resiliency that is necessary to ensure the maintenance and survival of their families. The results suggest that, contrary to the common perceptions that single mother recipients of social assistance are lazy and unmotivated, these women work extremely hard to ameliorate their situation by calling upon their strength and resiliency to gain access to social capital and financial resources to offer the best possible life for themselves and their children despite the limited income provided by Ontario Works.
Laser‐Triggered Large Magnetoresistance Change Observed in Corbino Disk of Cu/SiO2/Si

The Corbino disk is used to study magnetoresistance as it eliminates Hall‐voltage interference and allows for direct probing of bulk properties. A laser‐triggered magnetoresistance effect in the Corbino disk of a Cu/SiO2/Si structure is reported. When a laser is applied, the magnetoresistance is greatly improved, by 360 times, under a 635 nm laser and a 2.1T magnetic field. In addition, the effect shows a close connection with the geometry of the nanoscale metal‐film structure. This effect is attributed to an increase in carrier concentration and bending of the motion path under the laser and magnetic field. This work suggests a new approach for the exploration of the magnetoelectric properties of nanoscale metal films and opens a new window on the use of light to adjust magnetoresistance devices.
Osteoclastogenesis during infective exacerbations in patients with cystic fibrosis.

RATIONALE Adults with cystic fibrosis (CF) are at increased risk of developing osteoporosis. During infective exacerbations, increased production of proinflammatory cytokines and markers of bone resorption have been reported. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to investigate the growth and proliferation of potential osteoclast precursor cells before, during, and after intravenous antibiotic treatment of infective exacerbations in patients with CF. METHODS Hematopoietic precursor cell growth was examined using colony formation assays using Methocult culture medium. Circulating potential osteoclast precursors were identified using four-color flow cytometry by CD14, CD33, CD34, and CD45 expression. RESULTS At the start of an infective exacerbation increases in hematopoietic precursor colony formation (15.42 colonies/10(5) cells plated, p = 0.025), proliferation (28.5%, p < 0.001), and the numbers of circulating potential osteoclast precursors (6.5%, p < 0.001) were seen in comparison with baseline levels. These increases declined after treatment with intravenous antibiotics to a level close to baseline. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrate an increase in the production of potential osteoclast precursors in the peripheral blood during CF infective exacerbations. This may result in increased bone resorption and contribute to bone loss in patients with CF.
Structural bioinformatics study of cyclin-dependent kinases complexed with inhibitors

The present work describes molecular models for the binary complexes CDK9, CDK5 andCDK1 complexed with Flavopiridol and Roscovitine. These structural models indicate that the inhibitorsstrongly bind to the ATP-binding pocket of CDKs and the structural comparison with the complexesCDK2:Flavopiridol and CDK2:Roscovitine correlates the structural differences with differences ininhibition of these CDKs by the inhibitors. These structures open the possibility of testing new inhibitorfamilies, in addition to new substituents for the already known lead structures such as flavones andadenine derivatives.
Effect of citric acid and maltol on the accumulation of aluminum in rat brain and bone.

Deposition of aluminum in the body is responsible for the development of dialysis-related diseases in patients with renal dysfunction and may play a role in the development of certain neurodegenerative disorders. Although citric acid is known to be a strong enhancer of gastrointestinal absorption of aluminum, its effect on aluminum distribution and accumulation is not yet clear. Maltol has been shown to increase the neurotoxicity of aluminum, but little is known about its effect on aluminum deposition in the body. To elucidate the role of citric acid and maltol in aluminum accumulation and toxicity, rats were loaded intraperitoneally during a 7-day period with different amounts of aluminum chloride in absence or presence of citric acid or maltol before analysis of aluminum in serum, brain, bone, and urine. Coadministration of citric acid led to relatively reduced serum levels, as compared with aluminum and aluminum-maltol treatment. This is explained by both tissue elimination and enhanced renal elimination. Only at the highest aluminum dose (8 mg/kg body weight) was an enhancing effect of citric acid on accumulation of aluminum in brain observed; no effect on bone aluminum was seen. Furthermore, it was seen that citric acid alters the distribution pattern of aluminum. This may be explained by the postulation of a characteristic aluminum citrate species in serum. Administration of citric acid may increase this aluminum fraction in serum, thereby inducing an alteration of the distribution pattern. Maltol was shown to be a strong enhancer of aluminum accumulation in serum, brain, and bone. The rise of aluminum in these target tissues was dose dependent. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Characteristics of DNA‐Binding Activity of Human Cytomegalovirus ppUL44

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)‐specific monoclonal antibody, SCMVM34, recognizes the early antigen encoded by UL44 of HCMV. This antigen is confined to the nucleus of HCMV‐infected cells. This study was performed to characterize the DNA‐binding activity of the protein encoded by UL44 of HCMV. The nuclear and cytoskeletal fraction of HCMV‐infected cells was subjected to 0.4 m NaCl extraction, DEAE‐Sephacel ion exchange chromatography, DNA‐cellulose chromatography and SDS‐PAGE analysis with monitoring of the reactive protein using SCMVM34 monoclonal antibody. The molecular weights of the resultant proteins were found to be 34, 40 and 52 kDa. The internal peptide fragments were isolated by tryptic digestion and reverse‐phase HPLC. The internal amino acid sequence analysis of the peptides from the HPLC profile revealed that the antigen recognized by SCMVM34 monoclonal antibody was ppUL44. The reactive antigen began to be eluted from 250 mm NaCl (Tris‐HCl pH 7.4) in DNA cellulose. The 34 kDa protein seems to bind to DEAE more tightly than the 52 kDa protein. The surface charge of 34 kDa might be more basic. Conclusively, the antigen recognized by SCMVM34 was the protein encoded by HCMV UL44, which was localized in the nuclei after HCMV infection, and was the DNA‐binding protein with the characteristic that the surface charge of the molecule was more basic, as the molecular weights of the protein were decreased.
Treatment of Giardiasis

SUMMARY Giardia lamblia is both the most common intestinal parasite in the United States and a frequent cause of diarrheal illness throughout the world. In spite of its recognition as an important human pathogen, there have been relatively few agents used in therapy. This paper discusses each class of drugs used in treatment, along with their mechanism of action, in vitro and clinical efficacy, and side effects and contraindications. Recommendations are made for the preferred treatment in different clinical situations. The greatest clinical experience is with the nitroimidazole drugs, i.e., metronidazole, tinidazole, and ornidazole, which are highly effective. A 5- to 7-day course of metronidazole can be expected to cure over 90% of individuals, and a single dose of tinidazole or ornidazole will cure a similar number. Quinacrine, which is no longer produced in the United States, has excellent efficacy but may be poorly tolerated, especially in children. Furazolidone is an effective alternative but must be administered four times a day for 7 to 10 days. Paromomycin may be used during early pregnancy, because it is not systematically absorbed, but it is not always effective. Patients who have resistant infection can usually be cured by a prolonged course of treatment with a combination of a nitroimidazole with quinacrine.
Synthesis and biological profile of the pan-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor/tyrosine kinase with immunoglobulin and epidermal growth factor-like homology domains 2 (VEGF-R/TIE-2) inhibitor 11-(2-methylpropyl)-12,13-dihydro-2-methyl-8-(pyrimidin-2-ylamino)-4H-indazolo[5,4-a]pyrrolo[3,4-c]

A substantial body of evidence supports the utility of antiangiogenesis inhibitors as a strategy to block or attenuate tumor-induced angiogenesis and inhibition of primary and metastatic tumor growth in a variety of solid and hematopoietic tumors. Given the requirement of tumors for different cytokine and growth factors at distinct stages of their growth and dissemination, optimal antiangiogenic therapy necessitates inhibition of multiple, complementary, and nonredundant angiogenic targets. 11-(2-Methylpropyl)-12,13-dihydro-2-methyl-8-(pyrimidin-2-ylamino)-4H-indazolo[5,4-a]pyrrolo[3,4-c]carbazol-4-one (11b, CEP-11981) is a potent orally active inhibitor of multiple targets (TIE-2, VEGF-R1, 2, and 3, and FGF-R1) having essential and nonredundant roles in tumor angiogenesis and vascular maintenance. Outlined in this article are the design strategy, synthesis, and biochemical and pharmacological profile for 11b, which completed Phase I clinical assessing safety and pharmacokinetics allowing for the initiation of proof of concept studies.
Transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation in achalasia: everything but LOS relaxation

Abstract In conducting clinical high‐resolution oesophageal pressure topography (HROPT) studies we observed that after subjects sat upright between series of supine and upright test swallows, they frequently had a transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation (TLOSR). When achalasia patients were studied in the same protocol, they exhibited a similar HROPT event leading to the hypothesis that achalasics had incomplete TLOSRs. We reviewed clinical HROPT studies of 94 consecutive non‐achalasics and 25 achalasics. Studies were analyzed for a TLOSR‐like event during the study and, when observed, that TLOSR‐like event was characterized for the degree and duration of distal oesophageal shortening, the degree of LOS relaxation, associated crural diaphragm (CD) inhibition, oesophageal pressurization and upper oesophageal sphincter (UOS) relaxation. About 64/94 (68%) non‐achalasics and 15/24 (63%) of achalasics had a pressure topography event after the posture change characterized by a prolonged period of distal oesophageal shortening and/or LOS relaxation. Events among the non‐achalasics and achalasics were similar in terms of magnitude and duration of shortening and all were associated with CD inhibition. Similar proportions had associated non‐deglutitive UOS relaxations. The only consistent differences were the absence of associated LOS relaxation and the absence of HROPT evidence of reflux among the achalasics leading us to conclude that their events were incomplete TLOSRs. Achalasic patients exhibit a selective defect in the TLOSR response suggesting preservation of all sensory, central and efferent aspects of the requisite neural substrate with the notable exception of LOS relaxation, a function of inhibitory (nitrergic) myenteric plexus neurons.
Bibliographical References

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NH3 sensitive chemiresistor sensors using plasma functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes/conducting polymer composites

We present a micromachined NH3 chemiresistor sensor based on O2 plasma functionalized multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/ conducting polymer (CP) composites, and discuss its gas sensing mechanism. The FTIR spectra of plasma-treated MWCNTs indicate that oxygenated groups are created on the surface of CNTs after the plasma treatment. The plasma-functionalized MWCNT/PANI sensor exhibits a linear response of 3.34% per ppm NH3 for concentrations ranging from 10 to 100 ppm, and a sensitivity of about 7 times higher than that from a corresponding pristine MWCNT sensor. This dramatic change in resistance is attributed to the fact that the binding of the functional group with the defective CNT is stronger than that with the perfect one.
Long-term egg production and heterosis in quail lines after within-line or reciprocal recurrent selection for high early egg production

1. Four Japanese quail lines were developed using 13 generations of reciprocal recurrent (lines AA and BB) or within-line selection (lines DD and EE) for high egg number until 98 d of age. In these lines and their reciprocal crosses, egg production, egg weight and mortality were monitored for up to 21 months to evaluate the impact of selection method and line origin on long-term production and heterosis. 2. Both hen-housed total egg number (EN) and hen-day egg laying rate (ELR) were consistently lower in recurrent lines than in lines under within-line selection: after 13 months of test, the difference was ‐47.1 eggs for EN and ‐20% for ELR%, whereas mortality was similar at around 20%. 3. Line EE was the best pure line for early egg production (55.2 eggs at 98 d of age) and also gave eggs which were consistently about 2 g larger than those from line DD but it had the highest overall mortality (78.5%) of all lines. On average, line DD laid 399 eggs (EN) over the whole experiment, 84 more than Line EE. 4. Crossbreds from the 2 types of pure lines and line DD had similar patterns and rates of egg production during the whole experiment, as indicated by the similarity of the curves adjusted for those lines by using the monomolecular model for EN and the modified compartmental model for ELR. 5. However, heterosis was higher from recurrent selection lines and it increased more with time than did heterosis from within-line selection lines.
High performance Silicon-On-ONO (SOONO) Cell Array Transistors (SCATs) for 512Mb DRAM Cell Array Application

As DRAM cell pitch size scales, the DRAM cells have required characteristics of high performance transistors. In this paper, we proposed and successfully demonstrated high performance silicon-on-ONO (SOONO) cell array transistors (SCATs) for 512Mb DRAM cell array application. They have advantages of SOI substrate and 3-D hi-gate as well as process simplicity. From those advantages, they have low Ioff due to good SCE immunity with DIBL of 40 mV/V and SS of 84 mV/dec, low GIDL current, low junction leakage current, and low junction capacitance as well as no body bias dependence. Thus, the SCATs may be a promising solution satisfying the requirements of DRAM cells with scaling.
Multi-resolution image representation using Markov random fields

This paper presents a new method for representing the spatial information present in digital grey-tone images. The method is based on using multi-resolution decompositions (MRDs) and Markov random fields (MRFs) concurrently. A given image is represented by a MRD of it, along with an optimally estimated set of Gaussian MRF (GMRF) parameters. Since the GMRF parameters are very small in number, this addition to the usual MRD results in only a small increase in the number of bits in the representation. It is shown, however, that such a minor addition helps when reconstructing the (given) original image from its MRD. Experimental results are presented to illustrate the usefulness of this new method. <<ETX>>
Mechanism of inactivation of enteric viruses in fresh water

Fresh water obtained from nine sources was shown to cause inactivation of poliovirus. Further testing with four of these water samples showed that enteric viruses from different genera were consistently inactivated in these freshwater samples. Studies on the cause of inactivation were conducted with echovirus type 12 as the model virus. The results revealed that the virucidal agents in the waters tested could not be separated from microorganisms. Any treatment that removed or inactivated microorganisms caused loss of virucidal activity. Microbial growth in a sterilized creek water seeded with a small amount of stream water resulted in concomitant production of virucidal activity. When individual bacterial isolates obtained from a stream were grown in this sterilized creek water, most (22 of 27) produced a large amount of virucidal activity, although the amount varied from one isolate to the next. Active and inactive isolates were represented by both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms. Examination of echoviruses inactivated in stream water revealed that loss of infectivity first correlated with a slight decrease in the sedimentation coefficient of virus particles. The cause appeared to be cleavage of viral proteins, most notably, VP-4 and, to a lesser extent, VP-1. Viral RNA associated with particles was also cleaved but the rate was slower than loss of infectivity. These results suggest that proteolytic bacterial enzymes inactivate echovirus particles in fresh water by cleavage of viral proteins, thus exposing the viral RNA to nuclease digestion.
Introduction to the special paper collection: methodologies and techniques for detecting extraterrestrial (microbial) life.

487 THE DETECTION OF EXTRATERRESTRIAL LIFE is one of our greatest challenges in science. It seeks to answer one of the most fundamental questions of humankind: Are we alone? In this paper collection we attempt to take a step forward in this task by exploring the question of how we would detect the most basic form of life, microbial life, elsewhere. The detection of life obviously requires an operational definition appropriate for the task. While a generally accepted comprehensive definition of life is problematic (Schrodinger, 1944; Lwoff, 1962; Koshland, 2002), certain characteristics are generally agreed to be associated with life that mark its presence, wherever it occurs (Schulze-Makuch et al., 2002a). These include: (1) the sequestration within bounded microenvironments of complex, polymeric chemistry, (2) transformation of energy to maintain a complex state in thermodynamic disequilibrium with its surroundings, and (3) the capacity to replicate nearidentical multiples of itself. A consequence of these properties collectively is the profusion of life in favorable environments, to a point where the chemistry and the collective organisms themselves, or at least their impact on the environment, can be detected. The search for extraterrestrial life everywhere but on our closest planetary neighbors (Mars and Venus) is limited for the foreseeable future by our inability to obtain physical samples. Therefore, information that can only be obtained by remote sensing, and robotic probes will for now provide the only clues concerning the existence of life elsewhere. While it may be impossible to detect a single microbe on a planetary body, even if we would be able to land there, we know from our experience on Earth that a single organism would not exist by itself, but would form a community that would impact its environment (SchulzeMakuch and Irwin, 2004). A typical example of such a community effect of life on Earth is the presence of both molecular oxygen and methane in disequilibrium in the atmosphere, which can only be explained by the constant biogenic production of both gases. This is an example of a biosignature of life. Other signatures of life can be geological like the rocks and sediments produced by biogenic processes such as the banded-iron formation and stromatolite deposits of early Earth, and a rate and type of erosion consistent with biological processes. Signatures of life are direct consequences of the activities of living processes. Some biosignatures are microscopic in scale and therefore difficult to detect remotely, while others, such as atmospheric compositions, or the collective accumulation of biogenically generated macromolecules, are within the exploratory capabilities of current robotic technology. In addition to biosignatures, we have
Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of different extracts of Moringa oleifera Lam on lymphoid and monocytoid cells

Moringa oleifera Lam. (MO) is one of the most well-known and widely distributed species of the Moringaceae family in African communities, and various preparations of M. oleifera are used for the treatment of several diseases. Due to the extensive worldwide use of MO products, and the use of MO aqueous extract in traditional African medicine, the aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-proliferative, cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic activities of different aqueous extracts from leaves and seeds of M. oleifera (MOE), which have been prepared using different protocols, in lymphoid and monocytoid cells. The results of the present study demonstrated the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of the aqueous extracts obtained from M. oleifera leaves and seeds on tumour cells; however, not on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors. The pro-apoptotic effect of MO seed aqueous extract (MOE-S) was correlated with decreased B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) and sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) protein expression, which are involved in apoptosis. Considering the effects of plant secondary metabolites on human cells and the role of plant microRNA in cross-kingdom interactions, the presence of secondary metabolites and microRNA in MOE was characterised. In conclusion, M. oleifera aqueous extracts appeared to be able to differentially regulate proliferation and apoptosis in healthy cells and cancer cells, and this ability could be associated with the microRNA present in the extracts. These results highlighted the possible use of MOE as an adjuvant in traditional cancer therapy.