Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of E-cadherin in mediating epidermal stem cell differentiation

The epidermis is a continually regenerating epithelial tissue that relies on a stringently regulated balance between proliferation and differentiation. As the proliferative stem cells within the basal layer of the epidermis transition through the suprabasal layers towards the surface of the skin, the cells lose their self- renewing ability and terminally differentiate. E-cadherin is a transmembrane protein that mediates intercellular adhesion through binding catenin family proteins to the actin cytoskeleton and has been shown to play a role in differentiation but its importance and the precise mechanism is unknown. To determine which domain of E- cadherin is sufficient to induce differentiation, chimeric E-cadherin constructs were expressed in keratinocytes. Luciferase reporter gene assays showed that all constructs that have the p120-catenin binding induced differentiation. The p120-catenin binding domain alone was sufficient to induce differentiation suggesting that the p120-cetnin binding domain is both necessary and sufficient to induce differentiation. When p120-catenin was overexpressed, it was able to rescue the phenotype caused by the p120-catenin binding domain. Findings were validated by qPCR of endogenous keratin 10 expression. This suggests that p120-catenin sequestration by E- cadherin to the plasma membrane leading to epidermal stem cell differentiation may be due to a depletion of nuclear p120-catenin. Furthermore, of the different isoforms of p120-catenin, isoform A was determined to be the most abundant in keratinocytes
Enzyme digestibility of starch and methods to produce enzyme-resistant starch to improve human health

GENERAL INTRODUCTION DISSERTATION ORGANIZATION LITERATURE REVIEW Structure of starch granules Starch gelatinization and retrogradation Enzyme digestion of starch Resistant starch RS1: Physically inaccessible starch RS2: Native B-type semi-crystalline starch RS3: Retrograded amylose RS4: Chemically modified starch Resistant dextrins Amylose-lipid complexes Health benefits of resistant starch Reduction of glycemic index and prevention of hyperinsulinemia Prevention of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome Colon microflora fermentation and prevention of colon cancer Literature cited Figures CHAPTER 1. KERNEL COMPOSITION, STARCH STRUCTURE, AND ENZYME DIGESTIBILITY OF opaque-2 MAIZE AND QUALITY PROTEIN MAIZE Abstract Introduction Materials and Methods Results Discussion Literature cited Tables Figures CHAPTER 2. NOVEL RESISTANT STARCH FROM HIGH-AMYLOSE MAIZE STARCH VII – FATTY ACID COMPLEXES. PART 1. PREPARATIONS Abstract Introduction Materials and Methods Results and discussion iv 1 3 4 4 7 9 12 13 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 22 23 24 42 51 51 52 54 58 61 64 69 74
Spesialundervisning, læringsmiljø og inkludering

Merk: Denne artikkelen ble publisert i tidsskriftet FOU i praksis. Tidsskriftet skiftet navn til Nordisk tidsskrift for utdanning og praksis i september 2019. Artikkelen diskuterer kvaliteten på læringsmiljøet og inkludering for elevar som får spesialundervisning, samanlikna med elevar som berre får ordinær opplæring. Tidlegare forsking viser at elevar som får spesialundervisning, vurderer lærings- miljøet svært ulikt. Empirien i artikkelen er henta frå ei spørjeskjemaundersøking, og analysen her omfattar 7500 elevar. Indikatorar på læringsmiljø er engasjement og relasjonar. Det store fleirtalet av elevane skårar høgt på begge desse områda. To grupper elevar som får spesialundervisning, er med i samanlikninga. Det er elevar som viser problemåtferd, og elevar med spesifikke lærevanskar. Desse elevane gir svar som tyder at særleg engasjementet deira i det som gjeld skulen, og noko mindre relasjonane til medelevar og lærarar, er lågare enn for dei andre elevane. Særleg lågt kjem svara frå elevane som får spesialundervisning på grunn av problemåt- ferd. Og i denne gruppa att er det jentene som har dei mest negative svara. Trass i at elevane får spesialundervisning, opplever dei ulike forhold ved skulen svært negativt. Det gir grunn til å diskutere om spesialundervisninga fungerer godt nok, om kvaliteten på læringsmiljøet til denne gruppa elevar er forsvarleg, og om dei kvalitative krava til ein inkluderande skule er oppfylte. Sitér: Haug, P. (2017). Spesialundervisning, læringsmiljø og inkludering. Tidsskriftet FoU i Praksis, 11(1), 41–62. English abstract English title: Special education, learning environment and inclusion The article discusses the quality of the learning environment in school for students receiving special education compared with other students and in an inclusive perspective. Earlier research indicates that the conditions in this area for students receiving special education varies, also when they themselves report about their experiences. Data in the article comes from a survey with 7500 informants. Engagement and relations are indicators of learning environment. The majority of the students have high scores in both these areas. The analysis involves two groups of students receiving special education, students with behavioral difficulties and students with specific learning difficulties. Students receiving special education answer in ways suggesting that their engagement in school matters is lower than for the other students, this is also the case for relations to fellow students and teachers, but to a lesser degree. Students receiving special education due to behavioral difficulties have especially low scores, and among them, the girls have answered most negatively. In spite of special education, these students have bad experiences with school. This gives reason to discuss if special education functions well enough, if the psychosocial learning environment is reasonable and if the conditions for inclusive school have been met.
Biological Flora of the British Isles: Dryopteris carthusiana, D. dilatata and D. expansa

1. This account presents information on all aspects of the biology of Dryopteris carthusiana (Vill.) H. P. Fuchs, D. dilatata (Hoffm.) A. Gray, and D. expansa (C. Presl) Fraser‐Jenk. & Jermy that are relevant to an understanding of their ecological characteristics and behaviour. The main topics are presented within the standard framework of the Biological Flora of the British Isles: distribution, habitat, communities, responses to biotic factors, responses to environment, structure and physiology, phenology, reproductive characteristics, herbivores, history, and conservation.
Anelídeos poliquetas do nordeste do Brasil: I - poliquetas bentônicos da costa de Alagoas e Sergipe

Num trabalho anterior (NONATO & LUNA, 1969) discutimos as especies de poliquetas de escama que fazem parte de uma colecao proveniente de dragagens executadas pelo Laboratorio de Ciencias do Mar da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, no Nordeste do Brasil. No atual, sao tratadas as especies desprovidas de escamas, em numero de 71. Informacoes sobre a area amostrada estao contidas nos trabalhos de CAVALCANTI & colab. e de MABESOONE & TINOCO, 1967. Especies pequenas e delicadas que constituem parte ponderavel das populacoes bentonicas foram muito raras nesta area. Isto pode ser devido a condicoes eventualmente adversas ou, muito mais provavelmente, e consequencia de sua destruicao durante a coleta e triagem. Os fundos duros predominantes, com superficie irregular e constituidos em grande parte por blocos ou cascalho de algas calcarias e corais, tornam particularmente ardua a amostragem biologica. Nessas condicoes e dificil preservar a integridade de seres de corpo delicado como os poliquetas, da acao trituradora, dentro dos aparelhos de coleta. Devemos ter em conta essa circunstância ao avaliar a densidade aparente da fauna. Os poliquetas nao devem ser tao pouco frequentes como indica o resultado da prospeccao atual. Acreditamos que o uso de melhores tecnicas permitira apreciar a sua verdadeira densidade e conhecer melhor sua distribuicao. A pesca noturna, com luz submersa, por exemplo, podera ser um excelente metodo para atrair especies do substrato ou de habitats de outra forma inaccessiveis. Das 71 especies, apenas uma foi considerada como nova para a ciencia. Scoloplis agrestis sp. nov. assemelha-se a S. robustus Rullier e a S. madagascarensis Fauvel, diferindo de ambas pelo numero de setigeros toracicos e pelo numero reduzido de cerdas aciculares dos neuropodios toracicos. Os Eunicea sao o grupo melhor representado, com 26 especies, das quais a mais comum e Eunice longicirrata Webster (108 exemplares em 19 estacoes). Diopatra spiribranchis Augener e Hypsicomus elegans Webster sao consideradas boas especies. Somente dois Flabelligerideos foram capturados em toda a area; um deles e um especimem bem conservado de Pherusa scutigera (Ehlers) e o outro um Piromis sp. A maior parte das especies desta colecao e constituida por formas semelhantes as encontradas na regiao das Antilhas, como, alias, seria de se esperar. Porem, algumas aproximam-se de especies do Pacifico e do Indico, como e o caso de Glycera longipinnis Grube, Onuphis litoralis Monro e Vermiliopsis acanthophora Augener, cujas caracteristicas concordam perfeitamente com as descricoes a que tivemos acesso.
Self‐organization in raised bog patterning: the origin of microtope zonation and mesotope diversity

1 Raised bogs of the boreal and temperate zone typically show surface patterning on two distinct organizational levels. A conspicuous pattern of alternating dry strings and wet flarks aligned perpendicular to the slope occurs in combination with other microtopes, resulting in a mesotope pattern. 2 Patterning on both these levels can be explained by a simple, spatially explicit model that assumes predominantly lateral water flow through an acrotelm that is draped over a dome‐shaped catotelm. The model distinguishes two types of surface elements: hummocks with low transmissivity growing under dry conditions and hollows with high transmissivity growing under wet conditions. 3 Hummocks dam up water and stimulate the development of hollows upslope, whereas hollows effectively drain upslope areas, stimulating the development of hummocks. If the dome is steep and the recharge high enough, this leads to the development of a string–flark microtope. 4 Four distinct types of microtopes are distinguished: (i) areas entirely covered by hummocks, (ii) randomly arranged hummocks and hollows, (iii) string–flark striping patterns and (iv) areas entirely covered by hollows. 5 Different combinations of sharply delineated microtopes occur with different parameter settings, allowing for the classification of four types of raised bog mesotopes. In addition to such qualitative differences, the extent and composition of the microtopes vary with parameter settings, reflecting the variety observed in natural systems. 6 Our simple simulation model shows how small‐scale, local processes can create a variety of large and complex landscape patterns. These patterns can be used to describe raised bogs in terms of biological entities of a higher organizational order (ecosystem biodiversity), typically recognizable in often species‐poor peatland ecosystems.
Bradicardia y pausas ventriculares prolongadas en el deportista

MTSAC Miembro Titular de la Sociedad Argentina de Cardiología 1 Servicio de Cardiología Instituto de Medicina del Deporte Futbolistas Argentinos Agremiados Cátedra Medicina del Deporte Universidad Favaloro 2 Institute of Sports Medicine and Science. Roma, Italia El deporte de alto rendimiento genera modificaciones en el examen cardiovascular que conforman el así llamado síndrome del corazón de atleta. Estos cambios se manifiestan en los exámenes físico, electrocardiográficos (de reposo y esfuerzo) y ecocardiográficos y hasta en las imágenes de resonancia magnética. (1, 2) En ocasiones, la diferenciación con diversas cardiopatías suele ser difícil y la decisión sobre liberar o no al atleta para la actividad deportiva puede ser complicada. (3) Si bien el abandono del deporte por parte de un paciente con ciertas cardiopatías puede protegerlo contra un evento fatal, la descalificación innecesaria de atletas suele asociarse con problemas psicosociales y económicos que alteran en forma significativa la calidad de vida. Una de las situaciones que generan dudas en la conducta a adoptar en el atleta asintomático es la bradicardia sinusal (BS) profunda (< 30 latidos por minuto) y la presencia de pausas ventriculares prolongadas en la monitorización Holter. Ante su presencia, en ocasiones, se les ha desaconsejado a los atletas la continuidad de la práctica deportiva e incluso se les han propuesto tratamientos como el implante de marcapasos. Esta presentación tiene el objetivo de plantear un problema y ofrecer opiniones al respecto. Se mostrarán cuatro casos de deportistas asintomáticos de alto rendimiento con pausas ventriculares prolongadas en monitorizaciones Holter, sin cardiopatía estructural (ecocardiograma Doppler y resonancia magnética nuclear con y sin gadolinio normales) y con respuesta cronotrópica adecuada al ejercicio. A partir de esta mostración, se desarrollará una breve revisión y discusión.
Urinary neurotransmitter analysis and canine behavior assessment

Behavioral problems are highly prevalent in domestic dogs, negatively affecting the quality of life of dogs and their owners. In humans and dogs, neuropsychological or neurobehavioral disorders can be associated with deviations in various neurotransmitter systems. Previous evidence has revealed correlations between urinary neurotransmitters and various behavioral disorders; however, a causal relationship has not yet been conclusively demonstrated. Non-invasive urinary neurotransmitter analysis may identify specific biomarkers, which enable a more differentiated assessment of canine behavioral disorders in the future and contribute to more effective neuromodulatory treatment decisions and monitoring. This approach could offer new insights into underlying pathomechanisms of canine neurobehavioral disorders. This study assessed urinary neurotransmitter levels and the descriptive behavior profile of 100 dogs using established rating scales (Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale, Dog Personality Questionnaire, Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Rating Scale), and explored relationships between these variables. No correlation was found between urinary neurotransmitters and the assessed behavior profiles; however, age-, sex- and neuter-related influences were identified. The lack of correlation could be explained by the many confounding factors influencing both behavior and urinary neurotransmitter excretion, including age, sex and neuter status effects, and methodological issues e.g., low discriminatory power between anxiety and aggression in the descriptive behavior evaluation. Urinary neurotransmitter testing could not be validated as a tool for canine behavior evaluation in this study. However, reliable assessment methods with low susceptibility to human biases could be valuable in the future to support behavioral-phenotype diagnoses.
The influence of contact structure on disease transmission in a dairy herd using paratuberculosis as an example.

Pathogen transmission occurs by direct or indirect contact between susceptible and infected animals. The population structure is known to influence disease spread and persistence. The objective of this study was to evaluate how herd management influences contact structure and Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map) transmission within a dairy herd. A stochastic compartmental model of Map transmission in a closed herd was developed. Indirect transmission via the environment was explicitly modelled. Calves were housed in individual or group pens and different levels of exposure of calves to a contaminated environment were studied. It was found that, calf contact structure during the first weeks of life influenced Map prevalence. In addition, it was found that reducing the exposure of calves to adults had a larger impact on Map prevalence than hygiene measures and could lead to the fadeout of infection. The systematic analysis of contact structure used here can be applied to other diseases when developing realistic models to support decision making.
A Cdc48p cofactor affects ubiquitinated protein levels, endoplasmic reticulum associated degradation and proteasome subtypes

The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) maintains cellular homeostasis by controlling the turnover of important regulatory enzymes and by the removal of damaged or misfolded proteins. The UPS serves as the basic framework of many specific catabolic pathways, including the Endoplasmic Reticulum-Associated Degradation (ERAD) pathway, which in particular helps to maintain the homeostasis of the early secretory pathway. An important component of the ERAD pathway is a complex containing the AAA ATPase, Cdc48p. The Cdc48p complex couples ATP hydrolysis with the physical dislocation of ubiquitinated substrates from the endoplasmic reticulum prior to degradation by a multi-subunit catabolic protease known as the 26S proteasome. Here I show that the loss of a Cdc48p cofactor, VCP/Cdc48p-associated Mitochondrial Stress-responsive-1 (Vms1p), negatively affects the turnover of the model ERAD substrate, the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR), but does not affect the ubiquitination of CFTR. Strains lacking both the VMS1 gene and other select Cdc48p cofactors, namely genes encoding members of the Ubiquitin Regulatory X and Ubiquitin Fusion Degradation families, are hypersensitive to certain chemical stressors, and also display additive ERAD defects for certain substrates. Curiously, VMS1 mutants show increased accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins in total cell extracts, and also in complex with Cdc48p. These data suggest that Vms1p functions after substrate ubiquitination. In support of this hypothesis, I found that VMS1 mutants show a decrease in the amount of proteasome that handles ubiquitinated substrates and an increase in the amount of free, latent 20S proteasome holoenzyme. This phenomenon is not a result of the altered expression of proteasome components. Additionally, the restoration of ubiquitinated protein accumulation and the distribution of proteasome subtypes to near wild-type levels require the physical interaction between Vms1p and Cdc48p. Furthermore, Cdc48p may be important for recruitment of Vms1p to the proteasome. Using yeast genetics I provide supporting evidence that indicates that Vms1p does not appear to function with various proteasome assembly chaperones. Quantitative mass spectrometry indicates that Cdc48p-associated proteasome is unaffected by loss of VMS1. Together my data indicates that Vms1p functions with Cdc48p to regulate proteasome subtypes that are required to degrade ubiquitinated substrates.
The progress of research on the application of redox nanomaterials in disease therapy

Redox imbalance can trigger cell dysfunction and damage and plays a vital role in the origin and progression of many diseases. Maintaining the balance between oxidants and antioxidants in vivo is a complicated and arduous task, leading to ongoing research into the construction of redox nanomaterials. Nanodrug platforms with redox characteristics can not only reduce the adverse effects of oxidative stress on tissues by removing excess oxidants from the body but also have multienzyme-like activity, which can play a cytotoxic role in tumor tissues through the catalytic oxidation of their substrates to produce harmful reactive oxygen species such as hydroxyl radicals. In this review, various redox nanomaterials currently used in disease therapy are discussed, emphasizing the treatment methods and their applications in tumors and other human tissues. Finally, the limitations of the current clinical application of redox nanomaterials are considered.
A Compliant Telescopic Limb with Anisotropic Stiffness

Soft limbs with anisotropic stiffness are common in nature and enable animals to solve a variety of tasks, including locomotion and manipulation. This mixture of hardness and softness enables animals to efficiently control the unpredictable contact forces that occur while performing such tasks. A challenge for soft robotics is to create artificial limbs that mimic natural mixtures of hardness and softness for use as a building block for soft, adaptable robots. This article presents the design of a novel pneumatic limb module with adjustable length and anisotropic stiffness. The artificial limb is designed with a rigid telescopic endoskeleton inside a rubber bellow, which we show is able to resist buckling, while remaining externally soft. Finally, we present the design of a hexapod walker based on the limb units.
Acoustic ecology of marine mammals in polar oceans

This chapter will provide a review of the acoustic behaviour of polar pinnipeds. It will also present a detailed update of new and emerging passive acoustic technologies and how these can further the study of behaviour for polar marine mammals. Both Arctic and Antarctic pinnipeds are known to exhibit a range of adaptations which enable them to survive and reproduce in an ice-dominated environment. However, large gaps still exist in our understanding of the fundamental ecology of these species, as investigations are severely hampered by the animals’ inaccessibility. Improving our understanding of ice-breeding species and the effects that changes in habitat might have on their behaviour is vital, as current climatic trends are rapidly altering the polar environments. For pinnipeds, acoustic communication is known to play an important role in various aspects of their behaviour. Mother-pup reunions and the establishment of underwater territories during the mating season are examples which, for the majority of species, are known to be mediated by vocal signalling. Acoustic measurements therefore provide an essential tool to study ice-breeding pinnipeds as recordings can be used to remotely monitor sounds, track animal movements and determine seasonal changes in movements and distribution. Recent advances in recording technologies, now allow the acquisition of continuous long-term acoustic data sets, even from the remotest of polar regions. To date, a range of different types of passive acoustic instruments are used, the choice of which depends largely on the purpose of the study. These instruments in addition to computer-based methods that have been developed for automated detection, No part of this digital document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means. The publisher has taken reasonable care in the preparation of this digital document, but makes no expressed or implied warranty of any kind and assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions. No liability is assumed for incidental or consequential damages in connection with or arising out of information contained herein. This digital document is sold with the clear understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, medical or any other professional services.