Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ouabain Enhances Cell-Cell Adhesion Mediated by beta 1 Subunits of the Na ( + ) , K ( + )-ATPase in CHO Fibroblasts

Adhesion is a crucial characteristic of epithelial cells to form barriers to pathogens and toxic substances from the environment. Epithelial cells attach to each other using intercellular junctions on the lateral membrane, including tight and adherent junctions, as well as the Na+,K+-ATPase. Our group has shown that non-adherent chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with the canine β1 subunit become adhesive, and those homotypic interactions amongst β1 subunits of the Na+,K+-ATPase occur between neighboring epithelial cells. Ouabain, a cardiotonic steroid, binds to the α subunit of the Na+,K+-ATPase, inhibits the pump activity and induces the detachment of epithelial cells when used at concentrations above 300 nM. At nanomolar non-inhibiting concentrations, ouabain affects the adhesive properties of epithelial cells by inducing the expression of cell adhesion molecules through the activation of signaling pathways associated with the α subunit. In this study, we investigated whether the adhesion between β1 subunits was also affected by ouabain. We used CHO fibroblasts stably expressing the β1 subunit of the Na+,K+-ATPase (CHO β1), and studied the effect of ouabain on cell adhesion. Aggregation assays showed that ouabain increased the adhesion between CHO β1 cells. Immunofluorescence and biotinylation assays showed that ouabain (50 nM) increases the expression of the β1 subunit of the Na+,K+-ATPase at the cell membrane. We also examined the effect of ouabain on the activation of signaling pathways in CHO β1 cells, and their subsequent effect on cell adhesion. We found that cSrc is activated by ouabain and, therefore, that it likely regulates the adhesive properties of CHO β1 cells. Collectively, our findings suggest that the β1 subunit adhesion is modulated by the expression levels of the Na+,K+-ATPase at the plasma membrane, which is regulated by ouabain.
Phylogeography and diversification of the extremophile fish genera Danakilia (Actinopterygii: Cichlidae) and Aphanius (Actinopterygii: Cyprinodontidae) of the Danakil Depression

The Danakil Depression in northeastern Africa represents one of the harshest arid environments on Earth, yet two genera of fishes, Danakilia (Cichlidae) and Aphanius (Cyprinodontidae), share its sparse aquatic habitats. The evolutionary history of these fishes is investigated here in the context of genetic, geological and paleoenvironmental information. We collected samples from seven sites and assessed phylogeographic relationships using concatenated COI and cytb mtDNA genes. Danakilia morphospecies show low differentiation at mitochondrial markers, but variation is partitioned between a northern cluster containing D. dinicolai plus three undescribed riverine populations, and a southern cluster including two creek populations of D. franchettii separated by the hypersaline waters of Lake Afrera. Aphanius displayed four genetically distinct clades (A. stiassnyae in Lake Afrera; one distributed across the entire area; one in Lake Abaeded; and one in the Shukoray River), but without clear large-scale geographic structure. However, Danakil Aphanius are clearly differentiated from A. dispar sensu stricto from the Sinai Peninsula. Geological evidence suggests that after the Late Pleistocene closure of the Danakil-Red Sea connection, increased post-glacial groundwater availability caused the formation of a brackish paleolake flooding the entire region below the –50m contour. Fish populations previously isolated in coastal oases during glaciation were able to mix in the paleo-lake. Subsequently, in a more arid phase starting ~7300 BP, paleo-lake regression isolated
A Critical Study of Canadian Intercountry Adoption Law: Canada’s International Legal Obligations, the Best Interests of the Child Principle, and Family Reunification

This thesis critically examines Canadian intercountry adoption law in light of international children’s rights commitments, the best interests of the child framework, and the principle of family reunification. Relying on theories that immigration and citizenship are tools and objects of social closure, this thesis will explore how immigration and citizenship programs are used by the state to reproduce ideal citizens and families to support the nation-building project. This thesis will review the history of adoption and child migration in Canada, explore critiques of intercountry adoption, and consider the non-legal factors that impact the practice. It will then critically consider the Hague Adoption Convention and the legislative, policy, and common-law framework for intercountry adoption in Canada. To conclude, this thesis will recommend areas that would benefit from future study, in order to better safeguard the best interests of the child and promote family reunification.
Use of Molecular Markers in Improvement of Cotton for Agronomic Traits

Upland Cotton ( Gossypium spp) is known as the largest natural fiber and vegetable oil source worldwide, to increase the superiority of agronomic traits withstand contrary abiotic and biotic stress in the field and fiber/yield qualities to fulfill all the necessity of advance spinning technology. Upland cotton increase through conventional plant breeding is a time consuming; present circumstance molecular markers established that effective tools to speed up the plant breeding programme for cotton improvement. Especially accentuate is given to application, obstacles
Work motivation among web designers: a comparative study of sub urban and city dwellers

In the present study, the investigators intended to measure the work motivation of web designers with respect to some demographic variables. Using descriptive survey method, a sample of 52 web designers from sub urban area and 53 samples from city were administered with the Personal Data Sheet and Work Motivation Scale (Agarwal, 1988). Findings of the study revealed that i). work motivation was high in majority of the sample ii). male and female web designers do not significantly differ in their work motivation and iii) there was no significant difference found in the work motivation of web designers from suburban area and city.
Persistent effects of the orexin-1 receptor antagonist SB-334867 on motivation for the fast acting opioid remifentanil

The orexin (hypocretin) system is important for reward-seeking behavior. The orexin-1 receptor (Ox1R) antagonist SB334867 (SB) reduces seeking of food and drug reward under conditions of high motivation. There is some evidence that the effects of systemic SB on reward seeking persist beyond the pharmacological availability of the drug, however the time course of these effects is not well characterized, nor is it known whether similar persistent effects are observed following intraparenchymal injections. Here, we used a behavioral economics paradigm, which allows for repeated testing of drug motivation across consecutive days, to examine the persistent effects of acute systemic and local treatment with SB on motivation for the short-acting opioid remifentanil. Systemic injections of SB immediately prior to behavioral testing reduced motivation for remifentanil; this effect was sustained on a subsequent test at 24h, but not on a third test at 48h. When injected locally into caudal ventral pallidum (cVP) the effects of SB were more persistent, with reduced motivation observed for up to 48h. We next made SB injections into cVP 24h prior to behavioral testing; this produced persistent effects that persisted for at least 72h post-treatment. Cued reinstatement of extinguished remifentanil seeking was also attenuated by pretreatment with SB 24h prior. These data indicate that the effects of SB on opioid seeking behavior persist beyond the bioavailability of the compound. These observations might have important ramifications for the future clinical use of orexin receptor antagonists for the treatment of addiction.
A practical nomogram for predicting cancer-specific survival in patients with clear-cell renal cell carcinoma

Background: It has limitations in predicting patient cancer-specific survival to use of the traditional American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system alone. Objectives: We aimed to establish and evaluate a comprehensive prognostic nomogram and compare its prognostic value with the AJCC-7th staging system in adults diagnosed with ccRCC.Methods: We used the SEER database to identify 24477 cases of ccRCC between 2010 and 2015. In the development cohort, we used multivariate Cox proportional-hazards analyses to select significant variables, and used R software to establish a nomogram for predicting the 3-year and 5-year cancer-specific survival rates of ccRCC patients. In the development and validation cohorts, we compared our cancer-specific survival model with the AJCC-7th prognosis model to evaluate the performance of the nomogram by calculating the concordance index (C-index), Youden Index, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), net reclassification improvement (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), and performing calibration plotting and decision curve analyses (DCAs). Results: Eleven identified independent prognostic factors were used to establish the nomogram. Age at diagnosis, being unmarried, higher grades, larger tumor size, higher AJCC-7th stage, lymph node metastases, bone metastases, liver metastases, lung metastases, radiotherapy, and no surgery were risk factors for the cancer-specific survival of ccRCC. The C-index, Youden Index, AUC, NRI, IDI, and calibration plots demonstrated the good performance of the nomogram compared to the AJCC-7th staging system. Moreover, the 3-year and 5-year DCA curves showed that the nomogram yielded net benefits that were greater than the traditional AJCC-7th staging system. Conclusion: This study is the first to indicate that married status is an important prognostic parameter in ccRCC. Our results also demonstrate that the developed nomogram can predict cancer-specific survival more accurately than the AJCC-7th staging system alone. The prognostic factors were easily obtained.
Biodiversity and population fluctuations of parasitoids of the white peach scale, Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targioni-Tozzetti) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), in kiwifruit orchards in Northern Iran

Summary The white peach scale, Pseudaulacaspis pentagona Targioni-Tozzetti (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), is one of the most important and destructive polyphagous pests of the Rosaceae family trees. Population fluctuations and biodiversity of the hymenopteran parasitoid species associated with the pest were studied in six kiwi orchards in Iran, during one-year period. Parasitoid species abundance, species diversity indices and evenness indices were calculated. Most of the parasitoid species were dominant or eudominant. Based on the alpha diversity indices, the Najarkola region had high diversity and the Kharatkola region had low diversity. The Paeendasteh region (based on Simpson’s Diversity on Camargo evenness indices) and the Samnakola region (based on the modified Nee, and on Smith and Wilson evenness indices) were less uniform. Among the recorded parasitoids, Encarsia berlesei Howard (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), followed by Aphytis proclia Walker (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), had the highest population in all orchards.
ANALISA GANGGUAN SISTEM PENDINGIN PADA MESIN AVANZA 1300 CC

ABSTRAK Transportasi adalah sarana bagi manusia untuk memindahkan sesuatu, baik manusia atau benda dari satu tempat ke tempat lain, dengan ataupun tanpa mempergunakan alat bantu. Mobil dapat bergerak karena mempunyai tenaga. Sumbernya berasal dari tenaga panas hasil pembakaran bahan bakar di dalam silinder yang diubah menjadi kerja mekanik. Apabila keadaan ini tidak mendapatkan pendinginan yang baik, maka suhu pembakaran ini akan mempengaruhi suhu kerja mesin secara keseluruhan. Tujuan Tugas Akhir agar mahasiswa dapat mengetahui cara mengidentifikasi, melakukan langkah perbaikan dan mengetahui cara kerja sistem pendingin Toyota Avanza. Pada sistem pendingin mesin Toyota Avanza beberapa komponen yang bekerja antara lain: radiator, water pump, tutup radiator, thermostat, kipas elektrik, selang - selang karet dan penjepit, serta reservoir tank. Dari hasil pemeriksaan komponen pada sistem pendingin Toyota Avanza dalam kondisi baik.
Clinical and pathogenetic features of low bone mass in postmenopausal women

Background. Low bone mass (LBM) in the form of osteopenia (Op) and osteoporosis (OP) is one of the most pres sing public health problems. Рostmenopausal period in women is considered the main risk factor for the development of the pathological process. Objective of the research was to assess the clinical and pathogenetic features of LBM in women with menopause. Materials and methods. 261 non-menstruating women with an average age of 48 years were observed, physiological menopause occurred in 91 % of cases, and pathological in the rest. Exclusion criteria were women with inflammatory rheumatic diseases of the joints, oncological pathology, diseases of the blood system and thyroid gland, who received glucocorticoid hormones and anticonvulsants. In 133 (51 %) women, LBM (main group) was established in the ratio Op and ОР 4 : 1; diagnosis being made by the methods of conventional radiography and densitometry. Among the markers of bone metabolism, the following were used: blood levels of parathyrin (parathyroid hormone), calcitonin, osteocalcin, osteopontin, alkaline phosphatase, and osteo-associated chemical elements. During the examination, biochemical, enzyme immunoassay, atomic emission and atomic absorption methods were used. Results. The age of women correlates with the parameters of bone mineral density, and the LBM in all ca ses is associated with high blood levels of osteocalcin, in 1/2 of them — osteopontin, depends on the presence of comorbid primary arterial hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and leukocytoclastic vasculitis. OP formation significantly differs from Op in higher blood levels of parathyrin (by 47 %), alkaline phosphatase (by 19 %), phosphorus (by 9 %) and lead (by 27 %), but lower calcium values (by 4 %), moreover, the acti vity of alkaline phosphatase has predictive negative significance in relation to the severity of the LBM. Calcitonin, magnesium, strontium and zinc also participate in the pathogenetic constructions of the latter. Conclusions. LBM develops in every second postmenopau sal woman, and the further development of pathogenetic therapy should be aimed at correcting the concentration of osteocalcin and osteopontin in the body, and inhibition of alkaline phosphatase activity may be a criterion for the effectiveness of therapeutic measures.
Design and Analysis of a Compact Combustor for Integration with a JetCat P90 RXi

Ultra Compact Combustors are a novel approach to modern gas turbine combustor designs that look to reduce the overall combustor length and weight. A previous study integrated an Ultra Compact Combustor into a JetCat P90 RXi turbine engine and achieved self-sustained operation with a length savings of 33% relative to the stock combustor. However, that combustor could not operate across the full stock engine performance range due to flameout at increased mass flow rates as reactions were pushed out of the primary zone. To ensure reactions stayed in the primary zone, a new design with a larger combustor volume was conceived maintaining the same axial dimensions. The primary zone’s volume was increased without changing the length by utilizing bluff body stabilization, which resulted in a space savings when compared to the previous backward-facing step stabilized configuration. A new design was investigated computationally for generalized flow patterns, pressure losses, exit temperature profiles, and reaction distributions at three engine power conditions. The computational results were compared to stock combustor experimental results to show the validity of this new Ultra Compact Combustor, with a turbine inlet temperature of 1080 K and a pattern factor of 0.67. The combustor was then built and tested in the JetCat P90 RXi without rotating turbomachinery. The engine was force fed air and the combustor ignited at an air mass flow rate of 30 g/s and an equivalence ratio of 0.21. The combustor responded well to changes in air and fuel flow rates, maintaining a stable flame from ignition through the idle condition. Rotating turbomachinery was added and the combustor operated with an air assist of 3,000 RPM up to a maximum engine speed of 25,000 RPM, 19% of the maximum engine speed, at an exit gas temperature of 982 K, a 19 K increase over the stock.
Genetic diversity of bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum as assessed by PCR

The current research was conducted to investigate genetic diversity of Ralstonia solanacearum for comparison of different strains that were collected mainly from Netherlands as well as from Bangladesh, Brazil, Kenya, Egypt, Pakistan and Palma. Forty six strains were included in contemporary studies whereas main biovars for these strains included biovar-2 except GMI1000 that belonged to biovar 3. Genetic diversity of bacterial wilt disease caused by R. solancearum was assessed by focusing mainly on three genes i.e. mutL, cbhA and dps. All the genes seem to be conserved but in case of mutL some strains showed divergence. Multi Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) scheme was used in this contemporary research. It was concluded that polymerized chain reaction (PCR) is the most imperative and appropriate modern tool of molecular biology to find genetic diversity in Ralstonia solanacearum causing bacterial wilt.
The Global Transmission of U.S. Monetary Policy

This paper studies the transmission of US monetary shocks across the globe by employing a high-frequency identification of policy shocks and large VAR techniques, in conjunction with a large macro-financial dataset of global and national indicators covering both advanced and emerging economies. Our identification controls for the information effects of monetary policy and allows for the separate analysis of tightenings and loosenings of the policy stance. First, we document that US policy shocks have large real and nominal spillover effects that affect both advanced economies and emerging markets. Policy actions cannot fully isolate national economies, even in the case of advanced economies with flexible exchange rates. Second, we investigate the channels of transmission and find that both trade and financial channels are activated and that there is an independent role for oil and commodity prices. Third, we show that effects are asymmetric and larger in the case of contractionary US monetary policy shocks. Finally, we contrast the transmission mechanisms of countries with different exchange rates, exposure to the dollar, and capital control regimes
Morphological and molecular determination of a new Viola species (Violaceae) from Turkey

Viola denizliensis is described as a new species from South-West Anatolia. The species grows on serpentinite stony slopes in Bozdağ Mountain in Denizli. It belongs to Viola sect. Melanium and is close to V. dirimliensis and V. kitaibeliana. Viola denizliensis can be readily distinguished from related species by morphological and molecular characters. Comments on descriptive and diagnostic characters, distribution and ecology, phenolgy and proposed conservation status for this new species are given in the present study. Morphological affinities and ISSR-based molecular relationships between V. denizliensis and related species are also discussed.
Orbital Approach to High Temperature Superconductivity

High temperature superconductivity in cuprates is explained in terms of 3d-orbital capture in copper. In elemental Cu 3d-orbital capture abstracts an electron from the 4 s2 valence orbital, and leaves it as 4 s1. This is known since Cu occurs in Group IB of the Periodic Table. This forms an electron vacancy, or hole, in the valence shell. Therefore, the energy of 3d-orbital capture is stronger than the energy of unpairing of a paired-spin 4 s2 orbital. In cuprates 3d-orbital capture abstracts an electron from a Cu-O covalent bond, and leaves a hole in the excited state orbital. By electron-hole migration the excited state orbital leads to a coordinate covalent bond. This leads to superconductivity. The 3d-orbital process accounts for superconductivity and insulator behavior in cuprates. These results lend credence to the statement that 3d-orbital capture in copper is the cause of high temperature superconductivity.
The effect of cadmium on plasma melanocyte-stimulating hormone and morphological changes of melanophores in the cichlid fish Oreochromis niloticus, at different salinity levels

ABSTRACT The effects of cadmium concentration (0, 2.5 and 5 mg L−1) on melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), melanophore index (MI), and melanophore number (MN), as well as a microscopic examination of scale melanocytes in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus, 1757) was evaluated at different salinity levels (0, 5 and 15 ppt). The levels of MSH, MI, and MN were lower in Cd-exposed fish than in control fish (not exposed to Cd) at salinity level of 0 and 5 ppt. In ppt, however these levels of MSH, MI and MN in control and Cd-exposed fish were not significantly different. In the media without Cd, the levels of MSH, MI and MN were not significantly different at all salinities. The morphological changes of melanophores were higher in Cd-exposed fish than in control fish at salinity 0 and 5 ppt, respectively. These morphological changes were not significantly different in the control fish at all salinities as well as in fish exposed to 0–5 mg L−1 Cd at salinity of 15 ppt. This study therefore demonstrates that the toxic effect of Cd on MSH levels and melanophore morphology decreased with increasing salinity. Further, due to the sensitivity of chromatophores to Cd, melanophore morphology is proposed as a biomarker of Cd exposure in aquatic ecosystems.
DNA Methylation Signatures of a Large Cohort Monozygotic Twins Clinically Discordant for Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with a modest concordance rate in monozygotic twins that strongly argues for involvement of epigenetic factors. We observe in 45 MS discordant monozygotic twins highly similar peripheral blood mononuclear cell-based methylomes. However, a few MS-associated differentially methylated positions (DMP) were identified and validated, including a region in the TMEM232 promoter and ZBTB16 enhancer. In CD4+ T cells we observed an MS-associated differentially methylated region in FIRRE. In addition, many regions showed large methylation differences in individual pairs, but were not clearly associated with MS. Furthermore, epigenetic biomarkers for current interferon-beta treatment were identified, and extensive validation revealed the ZBTB16 DMP as a signature of prior glucocorticoid treatment. Altogether, our study represents an important reference for epigenomic MS studies. It identifies new candidate epigenetic markers, highlights treatment effects and genetic background as major confounders, and argues against some previously reported MS-associated epigenetic candidates.
Supervision in the Master of Applied Indigenous Knowledge programme at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa in Māngere

The purpose of this paper is to explain briefly the voluntary roles of the Indigenous Master Practitioner (IMP) and tuakana/supervisor in the Master of Applied Indigenous Knowledge (MAIK) programme at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa in Māngere. This paper will concisely explain the MAIK programme and the roles of IMP and tuakana/supervisor. This paper will present a model of supervision that was used by the author to supervise ten students successfully; it is intended that IMPs and tuakana/supervisors might consult the model if they do not already have an approach of their own.