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Snow cover changes are assessed for the Brunswick Peninsula in southern Patagonia (52.9 • S to 53.5 • S), located on the transition between the wet Pacific Ocean area and the drier leeward side of the Andes. We use the Normalized Difference Snow Index (NDSI) and a new index which we call Snow power , combining the NDSI and the Melt Area Detection Index (MADI), to reconstruct the snow cover extent and its temporal distribution for the period 2000-2016, based on Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Sensor (MODIS) MOD09GA products. Comparison of these satellite-derived products with available snow duration and snow height data for 2010-2016 at the local Club Andino ski center of Punta Arenas shows that the NDSI exhibits the best agreement. A reasonable and significant linear correlation is found between the MODIS NDSI snow cover extent and the mean monthly temperature at Punta Arenas Airport combined with the monthly snow accumulation at Jorge Schythe station at Punta Arenas city for the extended winter period (April to September) from 2000 to 2016. Snow cover changes within this time series are extended to 1972 and 1958 based on historical climate data of Jorge Schythe and Punta Arenas airport, repectively. The results show a significant decreasing trend of snow extent of 19% for Brunswick Peninsula for the 45-year period (1972-2016), which can be attributed to a statistically significant long-term warming of 0.71 • C at Punta Arenas during the extended winter (April-September) in the same period. Multiple correlation with different climate variables indicates that solid precipitation has a relevant role on short-term snow cover variability, but is not related to the observed long-term snow cover decrease.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of central nervous system. Since different types of immune cells are involved in MS pathogenesis, in this study we aimed to evaluate serum levels of several immunological components including soluble CD4 (sCD4), sCD8, sCD163, and immunoglobulins as markers of activity of T-cells, macrophages, and B-cells in different types of MS. Serum levels of sCD4, sCD8, and sCD163 of patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS, n=61), primary progressive MS (PRMS, n=31), secondary progressive MS (SPMS, n=31), clinical isolated syndrome (CIS, n=31) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO, n=31), and healthy controls (n=49) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum levels of Ig-G, Ig-M, and Ig-A were determined using nephelometric technique. Serum levels of sCD4, sCD8, sCD163, Ig-G, Ig-M, and Ig-A were significantly different in five groups of cases (p<0.05). Furthermore, application of stepwise method of discriminant analysis yielded 4 significant discriminant functions of classification due to the presence of six levels of categorical variables in the analysis. The most important function explained 85.5% of the total variance with the correlation value of 0.79. Taken together, our preliminary analysis suggests that although we found some functions to discriminate most of the patients, further studies will be required to individuate immunological markers characterizing the different type of MS including RRMS, PPMS, SPMS, CIS and NMO as proved by the data on sCD4, sCD163, Ig-M, and Ig-G in blood.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of central nervous system. Since different types of immune cells are involved in MS pathogenesis, in this study we aimed to evaluate serum levels of several immunological components including soluble CD4 (sCD4), sCD8, sCD163, and immunoglobulins as markers of activity of T-cells, macrophages, and B-cells in different types of MS. Serum levels of sCD4, sCD8, and sCD163 of patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS, n=61), primary progressive MS (PRMS, n=31), secondary progressive MS (SPMS, n=31), clinical isolated syndrome (CIS, n=31) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO, n=31), and healthy controls (n=49) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum levels of Ig-G, Ig-M, and Ig-A were determined using nephelometric technique. Serum levels of sCD4, sCD8, sCD163, Ig-G, Ig-M, and Ig-A were significantly different in five groups of cases (p&lt;0.05). Furthermore, application of stepwise method of discriminant analysis yie...

Abstract- Phaseolus vulgaris is an economically important crop. The most important disease which hampers its production is anthracnose which is found in almost every bean growing region of the world. Anthracnose in beans is caused by a hemibiotrophic fungus, namely Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. Use of resistant genotypes will provide a long lasting solution to the economic losses caused by anthracnose as this method is biologically safe as well as cost effective. For the present investigation, nearly ten C. lindemuthianum isolates collected from Baramulla, Kashmir were used. Inoculum of each isolate was produced by inoculating bean extract medium with a monosporic culture of C. lindemuthianum, incubated at 25ºC for seven days, the spore suspension culture filtered through double layered muslin cloth and inoculum load was adjusted to 1.2 X 10 6 spores per milliliter with the help of a haemocytometer. Seed dip method was used for the inoculation of the test plant. The inoculated seed...

Although yield output of maize (Zea mays L.) has improved markedly over the last century, procedures for improving the grain-filling process remain elusive. Our aim in this study was to relate grain-filling variation in maize (including kernels in apical and middle positions in the ears) to plant density and nitrogen (N) application rate using a crossed experimental design. We also investigated changes in zeatin riboside (ZR), indole-3acetic acid (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA), and gibberellic acid (GA) in the kernels during the grain-filling period. Two high-yield maize varieties cultivated extensively in China were field grown under normal (67,500 pl ha −1) and high (97,500 pl ha −1) densities, and supplied with low, normal and high (0, 180, and 360 kg N ha −1) concentrations of N. Kernel weight (KW), the maximum grain-filling rate (G max), the average grain-filling rate (G ave), and the kernel weight increment achieving G max (W max) were all significantly depressed under high density (HD) conditions, but increased N supply partially offset the losses. The apical kernels were more sensitive to density and N application rate than middle kernels. Correlation analysis indicated that plant density and N rate affected KW mainly by influencing the grain-filling rate. Variation in ZR, IAA, and ABA content tracked the variation in KW, but variation in GA content did not. Furthermore, the grain-filling parameters (closely related to TKW) had strong canonical correlation with the content of all hormones across the filling period and ZR content had the strongest relationship. Based on our study, high N supply is beneficial to optimize grain-filling parameters and improve KW of maize kernels under crowded condition.

Host disease resistance is the most desirable strategy for control of citrus canker, a disease caused by a gram-negative bacterium Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri. However, no resistant commercial citrus cultivar has been identified. Cybridization, a somatic hybridization approach that combines the organelle and nuclear genomes from different species, was used to create cybrids between citrus canker resistant 'Meiwa' kumquat (Fortunella crassifolia Swingle snym. Citrus japonica Thunb.) and susceptible grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macfad) cultivars. From these fusions, cybrids with grapefruit nucleus, kumquat mitochondria and kumquat chloroplasts and cybrids with grapefruit nucleus, kumquat mitochondria and grapefruit chloroplasts were generated. These cybrids showed a range of citrus canker response, but all cybrids with kumquat chloroplasts had a significantly lower number of lesions and lower Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri populations than the grapefruit controls. Cybrids with grapefruit chloroplasts had a significantly higher number of lesions than those with kumquat chloroplasts. To understand the role of chloroplasts in the cybrid disease defense, quantitative PCR was performed on both cybrid types and their parents to examine changes in gene expression during Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri infection. The results revealed chloroplast influences on nuclear gene expression, since isonuclear cybrids and 'Marsh' grapefruit had different gene expression profiles. In addition, only genotypes with kumquat chloroplasts showed an early up-regulation of reactive oxygen species genes upon Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri infection. These cybrids have the potential to enhance citrus canker resistance in commercial grapefruit orchards. They also serve as models for understanding the contribution of chloroplasts to plant disease response and raise the question of whether other alien chloroplast genotypes would condition similar results.

This study investigated the antinociceptive mechanisms of khat extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, i.p.) in four pain models: two thermic (hot plate, tail-flick) and two chemical (acetic acid, formalin) models. Male mice were pretreated intraperitoneally (i.p.) with the opioid receptor blocker naloxone (5 mg/kg), the cholinergic antagonist atropine (2 mg/kg), the selective α1 blocker prazosin (1 mg/kg), the dopamine D2 antagonist haloperidol (1.5 mg/kg), or the GABAA receptor antagonist, bicuculline (1 mg/kg) 15 minutes prior to i.p. injection of khat extract (400 mg/kg). Khat extract reduced the nociceptive response of mice in the four pain tests. Naloxone significantly inhibited the antinociceptive effect of khat extract in the hot plate, tail-flick, and the first phase of formalin tests. Bicuculline significantly antagonized the antinociceptive effect of khat extract on the hot plate and tail-flick tests. Haloperidol significantly reversed the antinociceptive effect of khat extract...

 The city is a place of intersecting cultures, identities and ideas that also serves as fertile ground for learning within the context of study abroad. Using the notion of the flâneur, this article problematizes students’ engagement with the spaces and places of the city with special attention to the mediating role now played by technology.  We interweave a theoretical discussion with empirical examples from two urban study abroad locales and with suggestions for practice. We argue that despite the complex array of resources the student employs to take on the foreign city, it is only the savvy wanderer who picks up on the subtle differences that we elusively refer to as a city’s “character” or personality and who understands their own shifting role of spectator, wanderer, and performer—thus entering into a relationship with place.

The main aim of this study is to explore the breadth of the inference field and the type of etiopathogenetic contents of symptom explanations provided by the client and therapist in the first two psychotherapy sessions conducted using a systemic approach. Does the therapist use triadic explanations of psychopathology as suggested by her approach? And do clients resort almost exclusively to monadic and dyadic explanations as did the university students in our previous study? What kind of explanations do they propose? The coding system "1 to 3: from the monad to the triad" was applied to the transcripts of 25 individual systemic therapies conducted by the same therapist. This manual allows coding of the inference field of symptom explanations according to three categories: monadic, dyadic, and triadic. These three broad categories are also used to analyze the etiopathogenetic content of each explanation: traumatic, intrapersonal, and interpersonal. Our findings showed that clients and their therapist actually used different inference fields: clients resorted almost exclusively to monadic and dyadic explanations, whereas their therapist included the triadic explanatory level. Moreover, the therapist provided more interpersonal explanations than her clients. Hence, the dissonance between client and therapist about the inference fields-a crucial premise of one of the most accepted ideas of therapeutic change according to systemic therapiesis proven, at least among our participants. Thanks to this dissonance, clients and therapists can create a new story, potentially able to change clients' feelings, without disconfirming their emotions.

Universitas Negeri Manado sebagai salah satu perguruan tinggi Negeri di Sulawesi Utara, terletak di daerah pegunungan Kabupaten Minahasa dengan luas lahan 270 hektar terdiri dari berbagai fakultas, program studi, dan fasilitas lainnya yang tersebar di berbagai lokasi. Tidak tersedianya peta sebagai denah lokasi bangunan dan fasilitas di universitas menyulitkan banyak pengunjung dan civitas akademika dalam mencari suatu lokasi. Dibutuhkan sistem informasi geografis yang dapat memberikan informasi geografis Universitas Negeri Manado dengan menggunakan peta sebagai delivery channel alternatif dengan tampilan dan interaksi yang lebih menarik. Model pengembangan yang digunakan adalah model sekuensial linier dengan pengusulan pada pendekatan proses yang sistematik dan sekuensial. Pada penelitian ini akan dibuat analisa dan perancangan sistem informasi geografis Universitas Negeri Manado berbasis web, dengan menggunakan Qgis dan HTML. Kata kunci: Peta, Sistem Informasi Geografis, Denah Lok...

BackgroundCOVID-19 is a newly recognized illness with a predominantly respiratory presentation. It is important to characterize the differences in disease presentation and trajectory between COVID-19 patients and other patients with common respiratory illnesses. These differences can enhance knowledge of pathogenesis and help in guiding treatment.MethodsData from electronic medical records were obtained from individuals admitted with respiratory illnesses to Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel, between October 1st, 2014 and October 1st, 2020. Four groups of patients were defined: COVID-19 (693), influenza (1,612), severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) (2,292) and Others (4,054). The variable analyzed include demographics (7), vital signs (8), lab tests (38),and comorbidities (15) from a total of 8,651 hospitalized adult patients. Statistical analysis was performed on biomarkers measured at admission and for their disease trajectory in the first 48 hours of hospitalization, ...

Conservation agriculture is an approach for managing agricultural ecosystems, improving productivity, increasing benefits and food security, and preserving resources and the environment. The core purpose of this study was to analyze the constructs affecting the intention to use conservation agriculture measures. For this purpose, protection motivation theory was applied as the theoretical framework. Validation of the model was done using a cross-sectional survey among Iranian farmers, and SMART PLS software was used to test the hypotheses. The results showed that the direct effects of the five constructs of perceived severity, perceived vulnerability, response cost, response efficacy, and self-efficacy were significant on the intention to use conservation agriculture measures. In addition, the variables of perceived severity, response cost, and perceived self-efficacy had significant effects on the fear of not using conservation agriculture measures. The results of the bootstrapping...

Growing concerns about climate change and energy security have fueled a rapid increase in the development of marine renewable energy installations (MREIs). The potential ecological consequences of increased use of these devices emphasizes the need for high quality environmental impact assessment (EIA). We demonstrate that these processes are hampered severely, primarily because ambiguities in the legislation and lack of clear implementation guidance are such that they do not ensure robust assessment of the significance of impacts and cumulative effects. We highlight why the regulatory framework leads to conceptual ambiguities and propose changes which, for the most part, do not require major adjustments to standard practice. We emphasize the importance of determining the degree of confidence in impacts to permit the likelihood as well as magnitude of impacts to be quantified and propose ways in which assessment of population-level impacts could be incorporated into the EIA process. Overall, however, we argue that, instead of trying to ascertain which particular developments are responsible for tipping an already heavily degraded marine environment into an undesirable state, emphasis should be placed on better strategic assessment.

We experimentally demonstrate an extremely compact and programmable pulse shaper composed of a single phase mask encoded into a spatial light modulator. Its principle of operation is similar to the previously theoretically introduced quasi-direct space-to-time pulse shaper [Opt. Express 16, 16993 (2008)], which is based on diffractive optics. The proposed pulse shaper exhibits not only real-time temporal modulation, but also high-efficiency output pulses thanks to an active correction of the wavefront aberrations.

The synthesis of 11-(N-substituted)-angular triazaphenoxazinone via copper catalyzed N-arylation reaction is reported. The key intermediate, 7-chloro-5, 8-quinolinequinone was obtained in a five-step reaction, starting from 8-hydroxyquinoline. This was coupled with 4, 5-diamino-6-hydroxypyrimidine, in the presence of sodium acetate under anhydrous condition to afford 11-amino-1, 8, 10-triazabenzo[a]phenoxazin-5-one. The new derivatives were obtained by the reaction of 11-amino-1, 8, 10-triazabenzo[a]phenoxazin-5-one with substituted potassium/lithium phenyltriolborates, under the catalytic influence of copper (II) acetate in the presence of trimethylamine N-oxide, and 4Å molecular sieve. Products were obtained in good yield (70-80%). Structures were established by spectra and analytical data. These tetracyclic heterocycles absorb light in the visible region (400-700nm), which makes them applicable as laser dyes.

Familial hypertriglyceridemia (F-HTG) is an autosomal disorder that causes severe elevation of serum triglyceride levels. It is caused by genetic alterations in LPL, APOC2, APOA5, LMF1, and GPIHBP1 genes. The mutation spectrum of F-HTG in Arabic populations is limited. Here, we report the genetic spectrum of six families of F-HTG of Arab ancestry in Oman. Methods: six Omani families affected with triglyceride levels &gt;11.2 mmol/L were included in this study. Ampli-Seq sequencing of the selected gene panels was performed. Whole-exome sequencing and copy number variant analysis were also performed in cases with negative exome results. Three novel pathogenic missense variants in the LPL gene were identified, p.M328T, p.H229L, and p.S286G, along with a novel splice variant c.1322+15T &gt; G. The LPL p.H229L variant existed in double heterozygous mutation with the APOA5 gene p.V153M variant. One family had a homozygous mutation in the LMF1 gene (c.G107A; p.G36D) and a heterozygous muta...

Unlike humans, however, cats are altricial animals whose ear canals are closed at birth. By postnatal day 30, the ear canal opens and kittens are considered fully hearing. The time course of canal opening is the same for deaf white kittens and normal hearing kittens (Ryugo et al., 2003). Because cats are deaf at birth, we sought to determine whether the emergence of abnormalities at the endbulb of Held synapse in deaf white cats coincided in time with the development of hearing in normal cats. The rationale was that the lack of soundevoked activity would trigger pathologic change in deaf kittens. To this end, we examined the ultrastructure of endbulbs in an age-graded series of deaf kittens and compared the results with those previously reported for normal hearing kittens (Ryugo et al., 2006). MATERIALS AND METHODS SUBJECTS Forty-nine cats contributed new data that were used for this report (Table 1). Structural data were collected from an age-graded series of congenitally deaf cats of either sex that ranged in postnatal age (PN) from newborn (PN-0) to adult. The auditory nerve endings in the cochlear nucleus of two kittens were analyzed at each of the

Hypospadias is a male congenital condition where the opening of the urethral meatus is not located in the typical anatomical position. It has been a challenge for empirical studies to ascertain the level of concordance of opinion among parents and urologists with regard to surgical outcomes according to hypospadias severity.

Fecal Microbiome in Beef Cattle metabolism, and energy production was greater in beef cattle raised under I systems compared with that under T systems. Findings of the current study suggest that semiintensive management practices could facilitate the development of a healthier and more efficient fecal microbiome in beef cattle by driving an increase in the abundance of beneficial bacteria and functional genes.

As trends of social and economic change allow precarity to inch into the lives of those who may have been more accustomed to security (Standing, 2011, 2014), this paper addresses the response of some young people who are caught "betwixt and between" in potentially liminal states (Turner, 1967). Those whose families have undertaken intra-or intergenerational social mobility and who have made a home in a place, Ingleby Barwick in Teesside, that seems to be of them and for them-an in-between place that is seen as "not quite" middle or working class. This paper draws data from a research project that adopted a qualitative phenomenological approach to uncover the meaning of experiences for participants. Methods included focus groups and semi-structured interviews through which 70 local people contributed their thoughts, hopes, concerns, and stories about their lives now and what they aspire to for the future. Places, such as the large private housing estate in the Northeast of England on which this research was carried out, make up significant sections of the UK population, yet tend to be understudied populations, often missed by a sociological gaze attracted to extremes. It was anticipated that in Ingleby Barwick, where social mobility allows access to this relatively exclusive estate, notions of individualism and deservingness that underlie meritocratic ideology (Mendick et al., 2015; Littler, 2018) would be significant, a supposition borne out in the findings. "Making it" to Ingleby was, and continues to be, indicative to many of meritocratic success, making it "a moral place for moral people" (McEwan, 2019). Consequently, the threat then posed by economic precarity, of restricting access to the transitions and lifestyles that create the "distinction" (Bourdieu, 1984) required to denote fit to this place, is noted to be very real in a place ironically marked by many outside it as fundamentally unreal.

Bio-Medical Imaging (BMI) is currently confronted to data issues similar to those of the manufacturing industry twenty years ago. In particular, the need for data sharing and reuse has never been so strong to foster major discoveries in neuroimaging. Some data management systems have been developed to meet the requirements of BMI large-scale research studies. However, many efforts to integrate the data provenance along a research study, from the specifications to the published results, are to be done. Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems are designed to comply with manufacturing industry expectations of providing the right information at the right time and in the right context. Consequently PLM systems are proposed to be relevant for the management of BMI data. From a need analysis led with the GIN research group, the BMI-LM data model is designed: it is PLM-oriented, generic (enabling the management of many types of data such as imaging, clinical, psychology or genetics), flexible (enabling users' customisation) and it covers the whole stages of a BMI study from specifications to publication. The test implementation of the BMI-LM model into a PLM system is detailed. The preliminary feedback of the GIN researchers is discussed in this paper: the BMI-LM data model and the PLM concepts are relevant to manage BMI data, but PLM systems interfaces are unsuitable for BMI researchers.

Embark on a mesmerizing journey through the vibrant landscapes of Turkey with "Rose-Ringed Parakeets: Anthropic Habitats in Turkey." This insightful exploration unravels the tales of adaptation, survival, and unexpected connections between these enchanting parakeets and the diverse environments they call home.
Chapter 1: Origins and Odyssey

Delve into the tropical realms of Africa and South Asia, the ancestral homelands of Rose-Ringed Parakeets. Uncover the intricate details of their unique subspecies and follow their global odyssey, transcending borders and adapting to new lands under the influence of human companionship.

Chapter 2: Turkish Tapestry

As we turn our focus to Turkey, witness the harmonious integration of Rose-Ringed Parakeets into the country's varied landscapes. From bustling urban green havens to serene rural retreats, their adaptive brilliance illuminates the pages. Present in 22 provinces, these parakeets have become integral to both natural and anthropogenic habitats across Turkey.

Chapter 3: Anthropogenic Symphony

Explore the anthropogenic influences shaping the success story of Rose-Ringed Parakeets. From captive pets to wild inhabitants, their global conquest through the pet trade reveals a fascinating narrative. Their vibrant colors, remarkable communication skills, and ability to mimic human voices make them cherished companions for enthusiasts and bird watchers.

Chapter 4: Strategies of Survival

Unearth the secrets behind their flourishing populations amidst diverse land use. Their dietary habits, reproductive prowess, and intellectual acumen contribute to their remarkable success. Confronting challenges such as deforestation and urbanization, Rose-Ringed Parakeets showcase resilience and adaptability.

Chapter 5: Harmony with Humans

In the heart of Turkish cities, witness the unique interaction between humans and Rose-Ringed Parakeets. Unlike in some European countries where they are deemed 'invaders,' in Turkey, they evoke positive emotions, infusing vibrancy into urban landscapes. This chapter calls for further exploration of the multifaceted relationship between these colorful inhabitants and their human counterparts.

"Rose-Ringed Parakeets: Anthropic Habitats in Turkey" invites readers to embrace the beauty of coexistence between humans and these vibrant parakeets, underscoring the need for comprehensive scientific studies to unravel the intricacies of this harmonious relationship.

Despite having good efficacy in the treatment and prevention of tuberculosis, the administration of rifampicin (RIF) can cause serious side effects, resulting from the prolonged use of this substance. Thus, it is necessary to seek new systems for administering tuberculostatic drugs, to avoid unwanted adverse effects, increase their bioavailability and, consequently, improve their therapeutic efficacy. The present work describes the achievement of a pH-responsive system for RIF, using palygorskite, a fibrous clay mineral, as a nanocarrier. To evaluate the influence of some operational variables on the drug adsorption process, a 2 4 factorial experimental design was used. The experiment using a maximum concentration (0.125 mg/mL), lower mass of PAL (300 mg), and lower pH (pH 2) was more efficient compared to other experiments, resulting in a higher dose of the incorporated drug, equivalent to 33.62 mg/g. To elucidate the mechanism of interaction between the materials, the hybrid obtained was characterized by different characterization techniques (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry/derived thermogravimetry, zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy, and dispersive energy spectroscopy). In addition, kinetic models and adsorption isotherms were applied to the experimental data. Through in vitro release studies, it was possible to verify the effectiveness of the pH-dependent system obtained. The adjustment of experimental release data to the theoretical model of Higuchi indicated that the release of rifampicin occurs in a prolonged way from the palygorskite.

A lectin gene from the Tiger Milk Mushroom Lignosus rhinocerus TM02 ® was successfully cloned and expressed via vector pET28a in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The recombinant lectin, Rhinocelectin, with a predicted molecular mass of 22.8 kDa, was overexpressed in water-soluble form without signal peptide and purified via native affinity chromatography Ni-NTA agarose. Blast protein analysis indicated the lectin to be homologous to jacalin-related plant lectin. In its native form, Rhinocelectin exists as a homo-tetramer predicted with four chains of identical proteins consisting of 11 beta-sheet structures with only one alpha-helix structure. The antiproliferative activity of the Rhinocelectin against human cancer cell lines was concentration dependent and selective. The IC 50 values against triple negative breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and breast cancer MCF-7 are 36.52 ± 13.55 μg mL −1 and 53.11 ± 22.30 μg mL −1 , respectively. Rhinocelectin is only mildly cytotoxic against the corresponding human nontumorigenic breast cell line 184B5 with IC 50 value at 142.19 ± 36.34 μg mL −1. The IC 50 against human lung cancer cell line A549 cells is 46.14 ± 7.42 μg mL −1 while against nontumorigenic lung cell line NL20 is 41.33 ± 7.43 μg mL −1. The standard anticancer drug, Doxorubicin exhibited IC 50 values mostly below 1 μg mL −1 for the cell lines tested. Flow cytometry analysis showed the treated breast cancer cells were arrested at G0/G1 phase and apoptosis induced. Rhinocelectin agglutinated rat and rabbit erythrocytes at a minimal concentration of 3.125 μg mL −1 and 6.250 μg mL −1 , respectively.

Arsenic (As) is posing serious health concerns in South East Asia where rice, an efficient accumulator of As, is prominent crop. Salicylic acid (SA) is an important signaling molecule and plays a crucial role in resistance against biotic and abiotic stress in plants. In present study, ameliorative effect of SA against arsenate (As V) toxicity has been investigated in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Arsenate stress hampered the plant growth in terms of root, shoots length, and biomass as well as it enhanced the level of H 2 O 2 and MDA in dose dependent manner in shoot. Exogenous application of SA, reverted the growth, and oxidative stress caused by As V and significantly decreased As translocation to the shoots. Level of As in shoot was positively correlated with the expression of OsLsi2, efflux transporter responsible for root to shoot translocation of As in the form of arsenite (As III). SA also overcame As V induced oxidative stress and modulated the activities of antioxidant enzymes in a differential manner in shoots. As treatment hampered the translocation of Fe in the shoot which was compensated by the SA treatment. The level of Fe in root and shoot was positively correlated with the transcript level of transporters responsible for the accumulation of Fe, OsNRAMP5, and OsFRDL1, in the root and shoot, respectively. Co-application of SA was more effective than pre-treatment for reducing As accumulation as well as imposed toxicity.

Cyanobacteria and chloroplasts perform oxygenic photosynthesis, and share a common origin. Galactolipids are present in the photosynthetic membranes of both cyanobacteria and chloroplasts, but the biosynthetic pathways of the galactolipids are significantly different in the two systems. In this minireview, we explain the history of the discovery of the cyanobacterial pathway, and present a probable scenario of the evolution of the two pathways.

Noise has become integral to electroacoustic music aesthetics. In this paper, we define noise as sound that is high in auditory roughness, and examine its effect on cross-modal mapping between sound and visual shape in participants. In order to preserve the ecological validity of contemporary music aesthetics, we developed, a novel interface, for presenting experimentally controlled blocks of electronically generated sounds that varied systematically in roughness, and actively collected data from audience interaction. These sounds were then embedded as musical drones within the overall sound design of a multimedia performance with live musicians, Audience members listened to these sounds, and collectively voted to create the shape of a visual graphic, presented as part of the audio-visual performance. The results of the concert setting were replicated in a controlled laboratory environment to corroborate the findings. Results show a consistent effect of auditory roughness on shape d...

Universitas Negeri Manado sebagai salah satu perguruan tinggi Negeri di Sulawesi Utara, terletak di daerah pegunungan Kabupaten Minahasa dengan luas lahan 270 hektar terdiri dari berbagai fakultas, program studi, dan fasilitas lainnya yang tersebar di berbagai lokasi. Tidak tersedianya peta sebagai denah lokasi bangunan dan fasilitas di universitas menyulitkan banyak pengunjung dan civitas akademika dalam mencari suatu lokasi. Dibutuhkan sistem informasi geografis yang dapat memberikan informasi geografis Universitas Negeri Manado dengan menggunakan peta sebagai delivery channel alternatif dengan tampilan dan interaksi yang lebih menarik. Model pengembangan yang digunakan adalah model sekuensial linier dengan pengusulan pada pendekatan proses yang sistematik dan sekuensial. Pada penelitian ini akan dibuat analisa dan perancangan sistem informasi geografis Universitas Negeri Manado berbasis web, dengan menggunakan Qgis dan HTML. Kata kunci: Peta, Sistem Informasi Geografis, Denah Lok...

Wheat blast (WB) caused by Magnaporthe oryzae pathotype Triticum (MoT) is an important fungal disease in tropical and subtropical wheat production regions. The disease was initially identified in Brazil in 1985, and it subsequently spread to some major wheat-producing areas of the country as well as several South American countries such as Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina. In recent years, WB has been introduced to Bangladesh and Zambia via international wheat trade, threatening wheat production in South Asia and Southern Africa with the possible further spreading in these two continents. Resistance source is mostly limited to 2NS carriers, which are being eroded by newly emerged MoT isolates, demonstrating an urgent need for identification and utilization of non-2NS resistance sources. Fungicides are also being heavily relied on to manage WB that resulted in increasing fungal resistance, which should be addressed by utilization of new fungicides or rotating different fungicides. Ad...

Computational modeling is increasingly used to understand the function of neural circuits in systems neuroscience. These studies require models of individual neurons with realistic input-output properties. Recently, it was found that spiking models can accurately predict the precisely timed spike trains produced by cortical neurons in response to somatically injected currents, if properly fitted. This requires fitting techniques that are efficient and flexible enough to easily test different candidate models. We present a generic solution, based on the Brian simulator (a neural network simulator in Python), which allows the user to define and fit arbitrary neuron models to electrophysiological recordings. It relies on vectorization and parallel computing techniques to achieve efficiency. We demonstrate its use on neural recordings in the barrel cortex and in the auditory brainstem, and confirm that simple adaptive spiking models can accurately predict the response of cortical neurons. Finally, we show how a complex multicompartmental model can be reduced to a simple effective spiking model.

Objectives: To assess and compare the quantity and the quality of the newly bone generated when using chitosan-based gel scaffold and osteoprotegerin-chitosan gel scaffold.Methods: A total of 18 critical-sized defects on New Zealand white rabbit craniums were created. In 12 defects, either chitosan gel or osteoprotegerin-chitosan gel was implanted the last six defects were kept unfilled as a control. Bone formation was examined at 6 and 12 weeks. Bone’s specimens were scanned using the High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Histological and histomorphometric analysis were carried out to compare the volume and area of regenerated bone.Results: The results of the HR-pQCT showed that bone volume and densities in the osteoprotegerin-chitosan gel group were significantly higher than the chitosan gel and control groups whereas, the bone volume density in the chitosan gel group was significantly higher than the control group in both intervals time (p = 0.01, p = 000)....

Homeless adults frequently experience poor nutrition. Research suggests raising self-efficacy and nutritional knowledge can increase healthy eating but that the choice of specific behavioral change techniques (BCTs) is also critical. This study investigated how BCTs, operationalized to increase nutrition knowledge and self-efficacy, might influence the choice of homeless adults when presented with a &quot;healthy&quot; and an &quot;unhealthy&quot; snack. A total of 125 homeless adults were randomly allocated to watch 1 of 4 brief films: &quot;control,&quot; &quot;[nutrition] information only,&quot; &quot;self-efficacy&quot; (aimed at increasing self-efficacy and general healthy eating knowledge), and &quot;enhanced self-efficacy&quot; (as &quot;self-efficacy,&quot; but the presenter identified themselves as a homeless adult). Post-film, participants were invited to choose between a healthy and an unhealthy snack. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and chi square. Participants in the &qu...

Australian studies centres overseas have usually found, however, that student interest in their courses has been modest. With its small population, relatively healthy economy, and fairly quiet politics, Australia for most of the world does not present significant economic or strategic threats or opportunities. It is not surprising, then, that the study of Australia has not been significant outside Australia itself. Despite the praiseworthy efforts of the proponents of Australian studies in Asia, Europe, and North America, international understanding of Australian culture and society is still extremely limited. In this context, the growth of study abroad programs of various kinds has presented an exciting development for Australian studies.

Public concern on mental health has noticeably increased given the high prevalence of neuropsychiatric disorders. Cognition and emotionality are the most affected functions in neuropsychiatric disorders, i.e., anxiety disorders, depression, and schizophrenia. In this review, most relevant literature on the role of the endocannabinoid (eCB) system in neuropsychiatric disorders will be presented. Evidence from clinical and animal studies is provided for the participation of CB1 and CB2 receptors (CB1R and CB2R) in the above mentioned neuropsychiatric disorders. CBRs are crucial in some of the emotional and cognitive impairments reported, although more research is required to understand the specific role of the eCB system in neuropsychiatric disorders. Cannabidiol (CBD), the main non-psychotropic component of the Cannabis sativa plant, has shown therapeutic potential in several neuropsychiatric disorders. Although further studies are needed, recent studies indicate that CBD therapeutic...