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ABSTRACT: Membrane filtration is a widespread process for fractionation and recombination of milk components. Although the dissociation of micellar caseins has been studied in detail in skim milk, it is important to better understand the dissociation dynamics occurring between the colloidal and noncolloidal fractions in systems of modified composition. This research aimed at understanding the dissociation of casein proteins in micellar fractions depleted of whey proteins. Casein micelle dispersions were tested at neutral pH and pH 6 (using glucono-δ-lactone as acidulant), after incubation at 4°C or 22°C, and compared with skim milk. The ionic composition of the serum phase was measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, and the protein distribution analyzed using reversed phase-HPLC coupled with mass spectrometry. When incubated at 22°C, there were no differences in casein micelle dissociation between skim milk and whey protein-depleted micelles (∼2.6% dissociated casein). No additional dissociation occurred by lowering the pH from 6.8 to 6 at 22°C, albeit there were more soluble ions at low pH (71% Ca and 65% P). At 4°C, there was an increased amount of β-casein found in the serum phase (23–33% of total β-casein). In addition, there was an uneven dissociation behavior of the various genetic β-casein variants, whereof A2 was more readily released with cooling. In skim milk, approximately 22%, 18%, and 14% of κ-, αS2, and αS1-caseins, respectively, were dissociated from the micellar phase upon cooling and acidification to pH 6.0. This was in contrast to whey protein-depleted casein suspensions, in which only 6%, 5%, and 3% of κ-, αS2, and αS1-caseins, respectively, had dissociated. The results suggested that the whey proteins in the serum phase play a role in the equilibrium between colloidal and soluble caseins in milk. This is of great relevance in processes such as cold membrane fractionation, where more attention should be given to the protein composition in the serum phase, especially when concentration is combined with fractionation of the serum proteins.

Membrane filtration is a widespread process for fractionation and recombination of milk components. Although the dissociation of micellar caseins has been studied in detail in skim milk, it is important to better understand the dissociation dynamics occurring between the colloidal and noncolloidal fractions in systems of modified composition. This research aimed at understanding the dissociation of casein proteins in micellar fractions depleted of whey proteins. Casein micelle dispersions were tested at neutral pH and pH 6 (using glucono-δ-lactone as acidulant), after incubation at 4°C or 22°C, and compared with skim milk. The ionic composition of the serum phase was measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, and the protein distribution analyzed using reversed phase-HPLC coupled with mass spectrometry. When incubated at 22°C, there were no differences in casein micelle dissociation between skim milk and whey protein-depleted micelles (∼2.6% dissociated casein). No additional dissociation occurred by lowering the pH from 6.8 to 6 at 22°C, albeit there were more soluble ions at low pH (71% Ca and 65% P). At 4°C, there was an increased amount of β-casein found in the serum phase (23–33% of total β-casein). In addition, there was an uneven dissociation behavior of the various genetic β-casein variants, whereof A2 was more readily released with cooling. In skim milk, approximately 22%, 18%, and 14% of κ-, α S2 , and α S1 -caseins, respectively, were dissociated from the micellar phase upon cooling and acidification to pH 6.0. This was in contrast to whey protein-depleted casein suspensions, in which only 6%, 5%, and 3% of κ-, α S2 , and α S1 -caseins, respectively, had dissociated. The results suggested that the whey proteins in the serum phase play a role in the equilibrium between colloidal and soluble caseins in milk. This is of great relevance in processes such as cold membrane fractionation, where more attention should be given to the protein composition in the serum phase, especially when concentration is combined with fractionation of the serum proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the frequency of A2 and A2B subgroups among blood groups A and AB in healthy donors. Methods: It was a Cross-Sectional study, conducted at the Department of Hematology & Transfusion Medicine, UCHS, The Children’s Hospital Lahore and Sundas foundation Lahore from June 2022 to December 2022 including 13,120 healthy blood donors of both genders, after taking informed consent. Venous blood samples of donors were collected in EDTA vials (3ml) and serum gel vial for routine blood grouping which was done by standard tube method. Further testing of donors positive for an antigen (blood Group-A and AB) was performed using anti-A1 lectin by standard tube method as per manufacturer’s instruction. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results: Among 13120 blood donors, 12857 (97.9%) were male and 263 (2.0%) were female with mean age of 36.7 years ± 15.04 years. Majority of them (91.7%) were of Punjabi ethnicity. Donors having blood group phenotype A and AB were 3890 (29.6%). Among blood Group-A donors, A1 was found in 97.8% and A2 in 2.2% donors. While among Blood GroupAB, 96.7% donors belonged to A1B blood group and 3.2% belonged to A2B blood group. Conclusions: Blood group A2 and A2B do exist in blood donors of Punjabi ethnicity. The knowledge of presence of these blood groups’ phenotypes in our population can provide a better base for transfusion staff to do troubleshooting in compatibility testing and to avoid any rare but hazardous transfusion outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the digitalisation level of education. Many institutions had some knowledge and practical background in delivering lectures online. Some countries apply a top-down digitalisation approach driven by policy or strategy and externally impacted by the government. Some other countries rather initiate digitalisation internally by teachers and universities.

Phytophthora infestans is the oomycete responsible for late blight disease of Solanaceae that causes both yield and economic losses. With the aim of reducing plant wilt and high management costs mainly due to wide fungicide applications, alternative eco-sustainable control strategies are needed. RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful tool for gene function studies that can be accomplished by constitutive transformation or transient expression such as virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) experiments. VIGS makes use of viruses to deliver sequences homologous to a target gene fragment and trigger RNAi. Indeed, a P. infestans ortholog of plant loricrin-like protein (LLP), named PiLLP, has been silenced using the direct infection of a recombinant vector based on the plant virus tobacco mosaic virus (TMV-PiLLP-1056), aiming to reduce the oomycete sexual reproduction. For this purpose, the gene coding for the green fluorescent protein (GFP) present in the TMV-GFP-1056 vector has been replaced with an antisense construct obtained by fusion PCR of the PiLLP 5′-UTR and 3′-UTR sequences. Here, we show that RNAi can be expressed in the A1 mating type of P. infestans strain 96.9.5.1 by VIGS using the direct infection of TMV-PiLLP-1056. We provide evidence that the recombinant vector can enter, replicate, and persist in mycelia of P. infestans where it induces the partial downregulation of the PiLLP transcript. Compared with the wild-type, the PiLLP-silenced A1 mating type had slower colony growth and a diminished virulence in detached tomato leaflets. This seems to be the first evidence of a constitutive gene downregulation of P. infestans using a recombinant vector based on a plus-sense RNA plant virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digitalization of higher education (HE) institutions and relevant issues have attracted the attention of many educational stakeholders. ICT has become a subject of high importance in every context, particularly in the workplace; thus, a principal goal for universities and schools is to prepare future professionals capable of dealing with problems and searching for effective solutions by their digital competence as a key skill. In this regard, a new framework is developed to evaluate the main drivers of digital transformation in higher education institutions (HEIs) in the era of industry 4.0. The developed framework is proposed a decision approach that can effectively use the presented information to make decisions of high rationality. This framework is applied to compute the subjective and objective criteria weights, and it is used to assess the preferences of organizations. An empirical case study to evaluate the main drivers for the implementation of digital transformation in HEIs is taken. According to the findings, the most significant drivers for the implementation of digital transformation in HEIs in the era of Industry 4.0 are developing, updating, and adapting a curriculum (0.0425), integration of digital technologies for universal education (0.0420), and cloud computing (0.0419), respectively. Hence, the evaluation results also show that the option higher education institution (HEI)-4 has the highest overall utility degree (1.845) over different drivers for the implementation of digital transformation in HEIs in the era of Industry 4.0. Also, comparison and sensitivity investigation are made to show the superiority of the developed framework.

Standard assessments can give instructors reliable objective measures of student skills at the beginning and end of a term. We describe seven standard assessments that we have developed for commonly taught economics courses, and introduce a new website, econ-assessments.org, that allows instructors worldwide to set up any of our assessments for their students. Instructors get a link to their chosen assessment that can be shared with students, and students take the timed assessment when they follow the link. At the end of the test-taking period, instructors receive a report that summarizes performance in aggregate and by learning goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The complex hand flexors pulleys system is essential in achieving efficient flexor tendons' function. Previous cadaveric studies demonstrated that A2 and A4 are the crucial pulleys in maintaining normal digits biomechanics. Realistically, the preservation of A2 and A4 pulleys during repairing flexor tendon laceration in zones one and two can be extremely challenging. We review the current published evidence in this article to answer the question of whether releasing the pulleys cause bowstringing or affects clinical outcomes. Methods: Literature search of the available databases. Results: There was no published comparative evidence. Retrospective case series have reported that no clinical bowstringing was noted after releasing flexor pulleys during flexor tendon repairs. Outcomes have been reported according to Tang and or Strickland criteria to assess range of motion (ROM). No functional hand scores or patients' satisfactions scores have been reported. Conclusion: Releasing flexor pulleys during tendon repair to allow access or prevent impingement of the repaired tendon does not seem to cause bowstringing or affect outcome based on the limited available evidence. Future research is needed. Level of evidence: Level 4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study purposes to examine the distribution of A2A2 alleles in herds of Curraleiro Pé-Duro (CPD) cattle and test association patterns with geographical and municipal development data. Eight CPD herds were selected from the municipalities of Tocantins State, Brazil. The frequency of the A1 and A2 allele was 40.0 and 60.0%, and the frequencies of genotypes A1A1, A1A2, and A2A2 were 20.0, 39.0, and 41.0%, respectively. Correlation estimates supported that the preferred genotype (A2A2) was mostly present in the relatively higher developed mesoregion (West) (P < 0.05). However, genotypic frequencies varied at random according to human population of municipalities and human development index (P > 0.05). The evaluation of the variability of the β-casein gene polymorphism, coupled with spatially explicit methods (spatial autocorrelation, mantel test, and interpolation procedures), revealed some level of spatial dependency. The results suggest that the production of A2A2 milk in indigenous CPD cattle is feasible. This will depend on the adoption of selection schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Island and Archipelago asphaltenes coexist in crude oils and are isolated as the A1 and A2 subfractions. • Kerogen imposes the initial relative abundance of A1 and A2 subfractions. • Maturity and in-reservoir mixing alter the A1 / A2 ratio. • Biodegradation have negligible effects on the A1 / A2 ratio. The scientific petroleum community now recognizes that island- and archipelago-type molecules coexist in the asphaltene fraction of crude oils and that their relative abundance depends on sample origin. This fact means that geologic factors such as the kerogen type, source rock lithology, thermal maturity, and secondary alteration processes in the reservoir are expected to control the proportions of these asphaltene architectures, in a first stage; however, the influence of these factors is not well understood. In this work, we combined biomarker analyses, spectroscopic characterization, and the p -nitrophenol fractionation method to confirm the coexistence of island- and archipelago-type molecules in the asphaltenes of a marine crude oil family originating from a carbonate source rock containing type II kerogen. The effects of thermal maturity, hydrocarbon generation, and crude oil biodegradation on the distribution, structure, and aggregation behaviors of island and archipelago asphaltenes obtained as the A1 and A2 subfractions were also studied. The results indicated that at the early mature stage, the generated immature crude oils show very similar proportions of island to archipelago structures inherited from the parent kerogen; then, thermal maturity and the combination of hydrocarbon charges emitted by the source rock at different events alter this relationship through an increase in the island components. Biodegradation was found to cause insignificant changes in either the relative abundance of island and archipelago asphaltenes or in their structural features. The increase in maturity also produced the progressive aromatization of both island and archipelago components, accompanied by the presence of large and very large asphaltene aggregates possibly formed with the participation of metalloporphyrins. These findings provide new insights into asphaltene geochemistry and chemistry to understand the effects of sample origin on the coexistence of island and archipelago structures, the chemical transformation pathways adopted by each of these molecular architectures under natural thermal conditions, and the modification of their aggregation behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytophthora infestans is the oomycete responsible for late blight disease of Solanaceae that causes both yield and economic losses. With the aim of reducing plant wilt and high management costs mainly due to wide fungicide applications, alternative eco-sustainable control strategies are needed. RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful tool for gene function studies that can be accomplished by constitutive transformation or transient expression such as virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) experiments. VIGS makes use of viruses to deliver sequences homologous to a target gene fragment and trigger RNAi. Indeed, a P. infestans ortholog of plant loricrin-like protein (LLP), named PiLLP, has been silenced using the direct infection of a recombinant vector based on the plant virus tobacco mosaic virus (TMV-PiLLP-1056), aiming to reduce the oomycete sexual reproduction. For this purpose, the gene coding for the green fluorescent protein (GFP) present in the TMV-GFP-1056 vector has been replaced with an antisense construct obtained by fusion PCR of the PiLLP 5′-UTR and 3′-UTR sequences. Here, we show that RNAi can be expressed in the A1 mating type of P. infestans strain 96.9.5.1 by VIGS using the direct infection of TMV-PiLLP-1056. We provide evidence that the recombinant vector can enter, replicate, and persist in mycelia of P. infestans where it induces the partial downregulation of the PiLLP transcript. Compared with the wild-type, the PiLLP-silenced A1 mating type had slower colony growth and a diminished virulence in detached tomato leaflets. This seems to be the first evidence of a constitutive gene downregulation of P. infestans using a recombinant vector based on a plus-sense RNA plant virus.

Processed milk and milk products produced from bovine milk, commonly contain β-casein A1 (βCA1) and β-casein A2 (βCA2). Since the presence of βCA1 is linked to milk intolerance and digestion problems, A2A2 milk, which only contains βCA2, is proposed as a healthier alternative. To support this health claim, the purity of A2A2-milk has to be guaranteed. In the presented study, a multiplex immunoassay, able to distinguish between βCA2 and βCA1, was developed and real-life applicability was shown on raw milk samples from genotyped A1A1, A1A2 and A2A2 cows. Because of its ability to discriminate between βCA2 and βCA1, this newly developed method was able to detect the addition of common bovine A1A2 milk to A2A2 milk, as low as 1%. Besides the detection of A2A2 milk purity, the developed assay can also be implemented as a rapid phenotyping method at dairy farms to replace the more invasive DNA-based screening. Additionally, the developed method was capable of detecting the addition of common bovine milk up to 1% in sheep, goat, buffalo, horse and donkey milk, which conforms to EU recommendations. In conclusion, a newly developed multiplex method capable of reliably detecting the dilution of A2A2 milk of multiple species, with common bovine milk up to 1%, is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Astrocytes play multifaceted and vital roles in maintaining neurophysiological function of the central nervous system by regulating homeostasis, increasing synaptic plasticity, and sustaining neuroprotective effects. Astrocytes become activated as a result of inflammatory responses during the progression of pathological changes associated with neurodegenerative disorders. Reactive astrocytes (neurotoxic A1 and neuroprotective A2) are triggered during disease progression and pathogenesis due to neuroinflammation and ischemia. However, only a limited body of literature describes morphological and functional changes of astrocytes during the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. The present review investigated the detrimental and beneficial roles of astrocytes in neurodegenerative diseases reported in recent studies, as these cells have promising therapeutic potential and offer new approaches for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

The occurrence of pure light exerts a variety of effects in the human body, which span from behavioral alterations, such as light-driven automatic motor activity, cognition and mood to more archaic vegetative functions, which encompass most organs of the body with remarkable effects on the cardiovascular system. Although empirical evidence clearly indicates occurrence of these widespread effects, the anatomical correlates and long-lasting changes within putatively specific neuronal circuitries remain largely unexplored. A specific role is supposed to take place for catecholamine containing neurons in the core of the brainstem reticular formation, which produces a widespread release of noradrenaline in the forebrain while controlling the vegetative nervous system. An indirect as well as a direct (mono-synaptic) retino-brainstem pathway is hypothesized to rise from a subtype of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (iPRGCs), subtype M1, which do stain for Brn3b, and project to the pre-tectal region (including the olivary pre-tectal nucleus). This pathway provides profuse axon collaterals, which spread to the periaqueductal gray and dorsal raphe nuclei. According to this evidence, a retino-reticular monosynaptic system occurs, which powerfully modulate the noradrenergic hub of reticular nuclei in the lateral column of the brainstem reticular formation. These nuclei, which are evidenced in the present study, provide the anatomical basis to induce behavioral and cardiovascular modulation. The occurrence of a highly interconnected network within these nuclei is responsible for light driven plastic effects, which may alter persistently behavior and vegetative functions as the consequence of long-lasting alterations in the environmental light stimulation of the retina. These changes, which occur within the core of an archaic circuitry such as the noradrenaline-containing neurons of the reticular formation, recapitulate, within the CNS, ancestral effects of light-driven changes, which can be detected already within the retina itself at the level of multipotent photic cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Many West African countries face the challenge of growth inclusiveness. The region is also facing challenges of equipping its teeming population with high-quality skills despite many reforms and initiatives introduced in the past. This study, thus, identifies education as a crucial contributory factor to growth inclusiveness in the region. It, therefore, examined the role of education in growth inclusiveness in West Africa between 1990 and 2017. Design/methodology/approach – The study utilised different proxies to capture quantity and quality dimensions of education. The unit root and ARDL “Bounds” tests were employed at a preliminary stage. Based on the preliminary tests, the study explored autoregressive distributed lags modelling technique to capture the short-run and long-run dynamic effects. Findings – The empirical results reveal a positive impact of school enrolment measures in most of the countries in both short-run and long-run. Education quality measure exerts positive impact and significant in few countries under consideration. Practical implications – These countries should give adequate attention to quality when designing education policy to foster their inclusive growth. Originality/value – This study highlights the critical role of education in the inclusive growth pursuit. Education quantity is important to growth inclusiveness but the quality of education is more fundamental. The quality of education possessed determine to a large extent, what individual can contribute to the productive activities within the economy and accessibility to benefits from economic prosperity.

The study aims to isolate, characterize, and evaluate the antioxidant activity of A¹ and A² β-casein (β-CN) variants from milk of Siquijor native cattle (SN) and compare it to that of Holstein Friesian x Sahiwal (HF). Four milk samples from SN and three milk samples from HF, collected at 60-90 days during the first and second parities, were used in this study. Caseins were isolated from the milk samples by isoelectric precipitation at pH 4.5, urea denaturation, and SDS-PAGE. The fractions were quantified by Bradford assay. Antioxidant activity of the fractions was determined by DPPH scavenging assay. All the samples were analyzed using one-way ANOVA to determine the statistical difference. The concentrations of β-CN variants isolated from the milk of Siquijor native cattle and the milk of Holstein Friesian x Sahiwal were not significantly different (p>0.05). All of the casein samples exhibited DPPH scavenging activity with A² β-CN exhibiting significantly higher scavenging activity (p<0.05). SN1 A² β-CN exhibited the highest DPPH scavenging activity at 5.298% ± 0.17 among all of the samples. These results indicate that A² β-CN may play a vital role in maintaining antioxidant homeostasis in the human body when the milk is consumed. These results also indicate the significance of A² β-CN in extending the shelf-life of milk and other dairy products. In conclusion, this study successfully fractionated and characterized both A¹ and A² β-CN variants in the milk of Siquijor native cattle and Holstein Friesian x Sahiwal, with A² β-CN having higher antioxidant activity compared to A¹ β-CN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Processed milk and milk products produced from bovine milk, commonly contain β-casein A1 (βCA1) and β-casein A2 (βCA2). Since the presence of βCA1 is linked to milk intolerance and digestion problems, A2A2 milk, which only contains βCA2, is proposed as a healthier alternative. To support this health claim, the purity of A2A2-milk has to be guaranteed. In the presented study, a multiplex immunoassay, able to distinguish between βCA2 and βCA1, was developed and real-life applicability was shown on raw milk samples from genotyped A1A1, A1A2 and A2A2 cows. Because of its ability to discriminate between βCA2 and βCA1, this newly developed method was able to detect the addition of common bovine A1A2 milk to A2A2 milk, as low as 1%. Besides the detection of A2A2 milk purity, the developed assay can also be implemented as a rapid phenotyping method at dairy farms to replace the more invasive DNA-based screening. Additionally, the developed method was capable of detecting the addition of common bovine milk up to 1% in sheep, goat, buffalo, horse and donkey milk, which conforms to EU recommendations. In conclusion, a newly developed multiplex method capable of reliably detecting the dilution of A2A2 milk of multiple species, with common bovine milk up to 1%, is presented.

Introduction: ABO Blood group system was discovered by Karl Landsteiner in the year 1900 who classified the blood groups into A,B,AB and O on the basis of the presence or absence of the antigens A and B on the cell surface of Red blood cells.Further ,in the year 1911, Von Dungern and Hirszfeld divided the group A into A1 and A2 hence total of six blood groups A1,A2,B,A1B,A2B,O. Aim of the study is to find out the frequency of subgroups of A and AB Blood groups and its importance in transfusion practice. Methods: A total of 5594 blood donors’ samples were collected in a one-year period who came to donate blood. Blood grouping was done by the conventional tube method both forward and reverse grouping. Sub grouping of A and AB was done by using the commercially available Lectin Anti A1 (Tulip diagnostics, Goa ,India) .Group A red blood cells which agglutinate with Anti A1 lectin are classified as subgroup A1,whereas which do not agglutinate are classified as A2. Result: Out of total 5594 blood donors, 1354 belonged to group A and 413 constituted group AB. The percentage of A1 amongst the A blood group is 93.94% (1272) and A2 is 6.056 (82). The percentage of A1 amongst the AB blood group is 91.04% (376) and A2 is 8.95% (37) Conclusion: The frequency of A1 subgroup is more in comparison to A2 in both A and AB blood groups amongst the blood donors. Identification and recording of subgroups is important in blood bank in respect to blood group discrepancy, blood transfusion reactions as well as Organ transplantation.

Phage display technology involves the surface genetic engineering of phages to expose desirable proteins or peptides whose gene sequences are packaged within phage genomes, thereby rendering direct linkage between genotype with phenotype feasible. This has resulted in phage display systems becoming invaluable components of directed evolutionary biotechnology. The M13 is a DNA phage display system which dominates this technology and usually involves selected proteins or peptides being displayed through surface engineering of its minor coat proteins. The displayed protein or peptide’s functionality is often highly reduced due to harsh treatment of M13 variants. Recently, we developed a novel phage display system using the coliphage Qβ as a nano-biotechnology platform. The coliphage Qβ is an RNA phage belonging to the family of Leviviridae, a long investigated virus. Qβ phages exist as a quasispecies and possess features making them comparatively more suitable and unique for directed evolutionary biotechnology. As a quasispecies, Qβ benefits from the promiscuity of its RNA dependent RNA polymerase replicase, which lacks proofreading activity, and thereby permits rapid variant generation, mutation, and adaptation. The minor coat protein of Qβ is the readthrough protein, A1. It shares the same initiation codon with the major coat protein and is produced each time the ribosome translates the UGA stop codon of the major coat protein with the of misincorporation of tryptophan. This misincorporation occurs at a low level (1/15). Per convention and definition, A1 is the target for display technology, as this minor coat protein does not play a role in initiating the life cycle of Qβ phage like the pIII of M13. The maturation protein A2 of Qβ initiates the life cycle by binding to the pilus of the F+ host bacteria. The extension of the A1 protein with a foreign peptide probe recognizes and binds to the target freely, while the A2 initiates the infection. This avoids any disturbance of the complex and the necessity for acidic elution and neutralization prior to infection. The combined use of both the A1 and A2 proteins of Qβ in this display system allows for novel bio-panning, in vitro maturation, and evolution. Additionally, methods for large library size construction have been improved with our directed evolutionary phage display system. This novel phage display technology allows 12 copies of a specific desired peptide to be displayed on the exterior surface of Qβ in uniform distribution at the corners of the phage icosahedron. Through the recently optimized subtractive bio-panning strategy, fusion probes containing up to 80 amino acids altogether with linkers, can be displayed for target selection. Thus, combined uniqueness of its genome, structure, and proteins make the Qβ phage a desirable suitable innovation applicable in affinity maturation and directed evolutionary biotechnology. The evolutionary adaptability of the Qβ phage display strategy is still in its infancy. However, it has the potential to evolve functional domains of the desirable proteins, glycoproteins, and lipoproteins, rendering them superior to their natural counterparts.

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are potent neurotoxins and are the causative agent of botulism, as well as valuable pharmaceuticals. BoNTs are divided into seven serotypes that comprise over 40 reported subtypes. BoNT/A1 and BoNT/B1 are currently the only subtypes approved for pharmaceutical use in the USA. While several other BoNT subtypes including BoNT/A2 and/A6 have been proposed as promising pharmaceuticals, detailed characterization using in vivo assays are essential to determine their pharmaceutical characteristics compared to the currently used BoNT/A1 and/B1. Several methods for studying BoNTs in mice are being used, but no objective and quantitative assay for assessment of functional outcomes after injection has been described. Here we describe the use of CatWalk XT as a new analytical tool for the objective and quantitative analysis of the paralytic effect after local intramuscular injection of BoNT subtypes A1, A2, A6, and B1. Catwalk is a sophisticated gait and locomotion analysis system that quantitatively analyzes a rodent's paw print dimensions and footfall patterns while traversing a glass plate during unforced walk. Significant changes were observed in several gait parameters in mice after local intramuscular injection of all tested BoNT subtypes, however, no changes were observed in mice injected intraperitoneally with the same BoNTs. While a clear difference in time to peak paralysis was observed between BoNT/A1 and/B1, injection of all four toxins resulted in a deficit in the injected limb with the other limbs functionally compensating and with no qualitative differences between the four BoNT subtypes. The presented data demonstrate the utility of CatWalk as a tool for functional outcomes after local BoNT injection through its ability to collect large amounts of quantitative data and objectively analyze sensitive changes in static and dynamic gait parameters. • CatWalk quantitatively determined functional changes in mice injected locally with BoNT/A1,/A2,/A6, or/B1. • Injection of BoNTs A1, A2, A6, and B1 resulted in a similar overall pattern of static and dynamic paw functions. • BoNT/A2 and/A6 appeared to have less distal effects than BoNT/A1 and/B1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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There is increasing evidence of astrocyte dysfunction in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Animal studies supported by human post-mortem work have demonstrated two main astrocyte types: the C3 immunopositive neurotoxic A1 astrocytes and the S100A10 immunopositive neuroprotective A2 astrocytes. A1 astrocytes predominate in AD, but the number of cases has been relatively small. We examined post-mortem brains from a larger cohort of AD cases and controls employing C3 and S100 immunohistochemistry to identify the astrocytic subtypes. There were a number of C3 immunopositive astrocyte-like cells (ASLCs) in the control cases, especially in the lower cerebral cortex and white matter. In AD this cell density appeared to be increased in the upper cerebral cortex but was similar to controls in other regions. The S100A10 showed minimal immunopositivity in the control cases in the cortex and white matter, but there was increased ASLC density in upper/lower cortex and white matter in AD compared to controls. In AD and control cases the numbers of C3 immunopositive ASLCs were greater than those for S100A10 ASLCs in all areas studied. It would appear that the relationship between A1 and A2 astrocytes and their possible role in the pathogenesis of AD is complex and requires more research.

Introduction: ABO Blood group system was discovered by Karl Landsteiner in the year 1900 who classified the blood groups into A,B,AB and O on the basis of the presence or absence of the antigens A and B on the cell surface of Red blood cells. Further ,in the year 1911, Von Dungern and Hirszfeld divided the group A into A1 and A2 hence total of six blood groups A1,A2,B,A1B,A2B,O. Aim of the study is to find out the frequency of subgroups of A and AB Blood groups and its importance in transfusion practice. Methods: A total of 5594 blood donors' samples were collected in a one-year period who came to donate blood. Blood grouping was done by the conventional tube method both forward and reverse grouping. Sub grouping of A and AB was done by using the commercially available Lectin Anti A1 (Tulip diagnostics, Goa ,India). Group A red blood cells which agglutinate with Anti A1 lectin are classified as subgroup A1,whereas which do not agglutinate are classified as A2. Result: Out of total 5594 blood donors, 1354 belonged to group A and 413 constituted group AB. The percentage of A1 amongst the A blood group is 93.94% (1272) and A2 is 6.056 (82). The percentage of A1 amongst the AB blood group is 91.04% (376) and A2 is 8.95% (37). Conclusion: The frequency of A1 subgroup is more in comparison to A2 in both A and AB blood groups amongst the blood donors. Identification and recording of subgroups is important in blood bank in respect to blood group discrepancy, blood transfusion reactions as well as Organ transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies produced mixed results with respect to the correlation between title length and number of citations. This research aims to provide a new explanation for this controversy by examining one of the largest pools of papers to date, containing over 300,000 economics papers spanning a much longer time period (1956-2012). The results show that correlation between title length and the number of citations is negative between 1956 and 2000, but becomes positive after 2000, when online searches became the predominant method for literature retrieval. Moreover, heterogeneity analyses show that longer titles are especially crucial for papers with relatively lower influence, which researchers can typically only access using online searches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deepens in the study of the appropriateness of virtual learning environments through the use and value of social networks by college students, considering the reliability, confidence and experience of the Internet. The study develop a comprehensive structural equation model conducted among 381college students of different Social Sciences degrees of the University of A Coruna (Spain). The results show that both topical social network and the Internet have a significant influence on college students’ virtual learning environment assessment, regardless the area of study. The analysis also discloses the potential utility of the above interactions on virtual learning environments in terms of downloading of material, improvement in learning efficiency and usefulness of contents, functions and supplement of other learning ICT tools. Findings reveal that the implementation of educational policies that allow adapting virtual learning environments to college students’ preferences are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the potential for cooperative learning activities to offset costs of large enrollment courses. We use a quasi-experimental research design to examine achievement and course perceptions in small and large enrollment sections of microeconomic principles. While large enrollment sections attain lower levels of achievement (measured by course score) than those with smaller enrollments, this effect is partially mitigated by use of cooperative learning. Furthermore, while students in large enrollment sections report lower levels of satisfaction and learning than students in smaller-sized classes, the use of cooperative learning eliminates the negative effects of increased class size on student perceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a panel of 159 institutions over 10 years, we investigate the role model effect of women faculty and quantitative requirements on the female proportion of undergraduate economics majors. We find no evidence that female faculty attract female students. Calculus, however, does matter. A one semester calculus requirement is associated with more female majors at institutions offering business degrees and liberal arts colleges. A second semester calculus requirement deters women from majoring in economics at Ph.D.–granting universities, but is associated with more female majors at liberal arts colleges. Econometrics requirements are unrelated to the gender gap in economics majors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A motivated finance-major student should master at least one programming language. This is especially true for students from quantitative finance, business analytics, those attending a Master of Science in Finance or other financial engineering programs. Among the preferred languages, R holds one of the first places. This paper explains seven critical factors for designing and teaching a programming course: strong motivation, a good textbook, hands-on learning environment, being data intensive, a challenging term project, multiple supporting R datasets, and an easy way to upload such R datasets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the size of SiC boule increasing, the problem of crystal creaking becomes more and more serious. In this work, residual stress in SiC boule is calculated by conducting stress simulation based on COMSOL and STR-VR software. A direct diagram comparing on crystal stress distribution is given. Besides, we provide relevant indications for the complete realization of large size SiC bulk with low stress for growing mainstream 6-inch SiC bulk with competitive thickness (40–50 mm) and low residual stress. And a 6-inch stress-free SiC bulk with improved quality was successfully fabricated based on our theoretical investigations. • Comsol and STR-VR simulations were conducted to verify the influence of parasitic polytypes, temperature gradient and thermal expansion coefficient differences on SiC stress. • The mechanism of SiC boule residual stress was revealed. • A direct diagram comparing on crystal stress distribution is given. • Relevant indications for the complete realization of large size SiC bulk with low stress was provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous literature discussing driving forces in students' decisions to cheat in examinations has produced conflicting results. Consensus has emerged however, that in very many social situations including academic settings, in particular business administration and economics students tend to behave less socially-oriented than others. Accordingly, building on the 'fraud triangle' and economic reasoning, we study cheating among-allegedly pro-social-students of (Protestant and Catholic) theology as well as-allegedly anti-social-students of business, using a sample of 850 such students from a large German university. Our results show that in fact, significant differences in cheating behavior do not exist across subjects (notably, with Catholic theology and business students displaying equally fraudulent tendencies), but rather, the incentives and opportunity costs driving students to cheat diverge: Whereas business students strongly act on incentives, theologists' choices are driven by costs in terms of sanctions, especially by avoiding social stigma. The findings explain previous contradictory results in the literature by highlighting the underlying economic reasoning in cheating decisions, and help foster, promote, and fine-tune incentive and control schemes in the context of discouraging cheating strategies in academia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Undergraduate degrees awarded in economics by U.S. colleges and universities were stagnant from 2009–10 through 2012–13, increased rapidly (almost 15 percent) over the two years from 2012–13 through 2014–15, but have again leveled off in 2015–16. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article argues that Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) has struggled to gain traction in wider economic and political debates due to: (1) An incomplete understanding of key macroeconomic terms among economic commentators, especially journalists, and the wider community (lack of education); and (2) The deployment of key macroeconomic terms (incorrectly) in the context of pervasive cultural metaphors to support policy interventions that effectively benefit a privileged few at the expense of the majority. We provide a conceptual basis for understanding how the language we use constrains our thinking and we examine some of the key metaphors used to reinforce the flawed message of orthodox economics. We examine key ideas of modern monetary theory—an apolitical model of macroeconomic operations—and propose effective ways of expressing those key ideas in a progressive social and economic framework. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This review discusses the heterogeneity in the effectiveness of financial education programs that occurs because of the unique conditions for programs and methods to evaluate them. The authors define six groups served by financial education: children, youth, college students and young adults, working adults, military personnel, and low-income consumers. They then discuss research and evaluation literature for each group with a critical eye on program purpose, content, and evaluation. They also present findings affecting multiple groups on four issues: student loans, homeownership, retirement planning, and financial advising. The accumulated evidence on the effectiveness of financial education is positive, although the results are nuanced and sometimes limited. The authors argue that understanding this broad landscape in studying financial education is critical for future research and evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Given the importance of entrepreneurial thinking and acting as a meta-skill in the future world of work, we focus on the emerging entrepreneurial mind-set in the transition to adulthood. We study the role of personality characteristics and age-appropriate entrepreneurial competencies (leadership, self-esteem, creativity, and proactivity motivation) in the prediction of entrepreneurial alertness and career intention. Using two-wave longitudinal data from high schools in Helsinki, Finland ( N = 523), we tested a mediation model with competencies as mediators between personality and entrepreneurial alertness and intention. The findings suggest that entrepreneurial alertness and career intention (a) are rather independent career development constructs of the emerging entrepreneurial mind-set, (b) are both an expression of an entrepreneurial personality structure, and (c) are predicted by different underlying competencies: leadership and self-esteem mediated the personality-entrepreneurial intention link, and leadership, creativity, and proactivity motivation the personality-entrepreneurial alertness link. Consistent with the balanced skill approach to entrepreneurship, the intraindividual variety of these competencies was also a valid mediator; it did not show incremental predictive power though. Implications for research and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Baccalaureate and Beyond study from the National Center for Education Statistics at the U.S. Department of Education contains a nationally representative set of transcript data from colleges and university graduates in the 2007–2008 academic year, the latest year for which such data are available. The authors use the transcript data to analyze undergraduate coursework in economics, business, and a few related subjects (statistics and calculus). The coursework results are presented for economics, business, and a wide range of other majors in the undergraduate curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In What Is Wrong with the West's Economies, Edmund Phelps adds to the growing self-criticism of economics. He argues that Western economies no longer support 'good life' as they are neither inclusive, nor innovative. The 'suppression of innovation by vested [corporate] interests' and 'repression of potential innovators by families and schools' are responsible for the sorry state of Western economies. He adds that the 'failing in the West's economies is also a failing of [West's] economics' and calls for 'a modern economics that places imagination and creativity at the center of economic life'. I argue that Phelps misdiagnoses the problem. The lack of encouragement to innovation is not the main shortcoming of economics; rather it is a manifestation of deeper problems. Economics can be rejuvenated only when both teachers-cum-researchers and students alike drop their statistical-mathematical glasses and step back into real space and historical time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delovni učbeniki Nuovo Espresso 1, 2, in 3 so na slovenskem tržišču ponovno na voljo, tokrat v veliki meri prenovljeni in vendarle z ohranjenim konceptom, zaradi katerega so ga v preteklih 15 letih množično uporabljali številni slovenski učitelji italijanščine kot tujega jezika. Niti v predhodnih verzijah niti sedaj učbenik s strani avtorjev in založbe ni namenjen gimnazijcem in ostalim srednješolcem, vendar ga prav tej ciljni skupini pričujoča prenovljena izdaja najmočneje približa, predvsem zaradi video posnetkov v vsaki lekciji, kjer gre za krajše, humorne prigode in nezgode mladih ljudi v njihovem vsakdanu.

V příspěvku se zabýváme porovnáváním jednotlivých případových studií analýzy plaveckého způsobu prsa u handicapovaných plavců s nadkolenní amputací. Cílem bylo zjistit stabilitu provedení jednotlivých cyklů (záběrů) u plaveckého způsobu prsa a dále popsat zapojení vybraných svalů při provedení jednotlivého cyklu u vybrané skupiny. Sledování kineziologického obsahu pohybu vybraných svalů se uskutečnilo formou srovnávací analýzy pomocí kvalitativního rozboru videozáznamu a na základě kvantitativního porovnání intenzity elektrického potenciálu vybraných svalů. Sledovaný soubor tvořili čtyři plavci, z toho dva muži a dvě ženy, ve věku 22 – 30 let. V době výzkumu se pouze tito plavci zúčastňovali závodů v plavání tělesně postižených v ČR v kategorii A2. Výsledky ukazují na nesymetrickou aktivitu vybraných svalů (m. pectoralis major, m. trapesius a m. obliques). V intraindividuálním porovnání vykazují sledované osoby stabilní provedení dovedností. Elektrická aktivita vybraných svalů je při porovnání mezi jednotlivými pokusy podobná.