538 research outputs found
Phylogeny of the species-rich pantropical genus Zanthoxylum (Rutaceae) based on hybrid capture
No full texthttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001659 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaf
Hybrid capture resolves the phylogeny of Tetradium (Rutaceae) and supports the inclusion of a species from Sulawesi
No full textAbstract Tetradium , a genus within Rutaceae, comprises nine species found in Eastern and Southeastern Asia, distinguished by their opposite pinnate leaves and apocarpous or subapocarpous gynoecium with follicular fruits. While Hartley's 1981 monograph provided foundational insights, a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the genus is lacking. Using next‐generation sequencing (NGS), this study aims to (i) establish an NGS molecular data set for Tetradium , (ii) elucidate interspecific relationships via the hybrid capture method and (iii) investigate the taxonomic status of Euodia meliifolia var. celebica . Our data set comprised 28 samples across nine species, sequenced using Illumina Miseq and Hiseq 4000 platforms, with downstream analyses conducted using the HybPhyloMaker pipeline and ASTRAL. Our findings revealed five main groups supported by both molecular and morphological data, highlighting changes in ovule number and seed functionality. Notably, the hybrid capture method proved invaluable for studying old herbarium specimens. Finally, taxonomic revisions were proposed, including the reclassification of E. meliifolia var. celebica as Tetradium celebicum , the fossil Euodia costata as Tetradium costatum, and the fossil Euodia lignata as Tetradium lignatum . An updated description for T. celebicum , supplemented by a specific identification key, is provided
The politics of fashion: perceptions of power in female clothing and ornamentation as reflected in the sixteenth-century Chinese novel Jin Ping Mei
No full textThis thesis examines issues of female power and influence in sixteenth-century China focusing on how women and their roles were perceived in the changing social environment of the mid-late Ming dynasty. Using aspects of a New Historicist approach, information from contemporary literary and historical sources are analysed alongside each other. With its emphasis on the lives of women and preoccupation with the description of material objects, the late Ming novel Jin Ping Mei forms an important element in the thesis. China in the sixteenth century saw expanding urbanisation, the emergence of a new wealthy merchant class, increasing visibility of women and a questioning of traditional morality. Fashion consciousness, as one of the most conspicuous aspects of the new material culture, is a possible indicator of these trends. Traditional Western theories contend that fashion began in the particular context of Renaissance Europe. However, this study argues that a similar fashion awareness existed in China too, and was manifested in a competitive striving for social status, in this case specifically among women. In contrast to previous studies which downplayed the impact women had on defining traditional Chinese culture, this thesis demonstrates how women and their sartorial choices began to redefine the boundaries of material culture, influencing literati discourse which, in turn, re- influenced female behaviour
On the Conversational Chapters of "Tai-ping-jing"(太平經)
No full textIn the text of Tai-ping-jing, there are twelve chapters, where two dieties named Tai-shen and Tian-jun play important parts, unique both in their style and in their tendencies of thought.In this paper the author tries to clear complicated construction of these chapters, at the same time, analyse their religious thought, which is in a sense innovative, for in attaining immorality personal self-cultivation is prior to intention of gods.In addition, some prose chapters akin to the abovementioned are analysed
Design of storage box for unmanned aerial vehicle
No full textThis paper illustrates the background of unmanned aerial vehicle and how this technology has commercialized and function as a method for delivery services. Through critical study and research carried out on various materials and different types manufacturing methods. It shows the comparison between three different materials and determine the suitable material for the creation of a storage box. The report introduces the process on selection of hardware devices, to bring out the potential of the automated storage box physically, and the creation of software program that allows the storage box to function automatically. Covering the initial phase of the planning to the construction of the prototype. The author will design and build a storage box different from the current market designs for a standard droneBachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering
The Influence of Spatially Varying Supply on Coastal Aeolian Transport: A Field Experiment
No full textSupply-limiting factors, like moisture content and sediment armoring,influence coastal aeolian sediment transport and subsequently dune evolutionsignificantly. We organized a 6-week field experiment on the influence ofspatiotemporal variations in supply on coastal aeolian sediment transport at theSand Motor, The Netherlands. Due to the presence of a strongly curved coastlineand complex intertidal bathymetries, a large spatial variation in supply is to beexpected at the Sand Motor, which makes the area particularly suitable for a fieldexperiment on this subject. Preliminary results show that not the largest surfacearea of sand, nor the biggest fetch or the most severe storm result in significantaeolian sediment transport events, but persistent moderate winds over largeintertidal beaches are the key to coastal aeolian transport and subsequently duneevolution.Coastal Engineerin
Dune growth due to aeolian sediment transport and the role of the beach and intertidal zone
No full textThe development of dunes is characterized by the alternating effects of erosion during storm events and growth during milder conditions. The quantification of dune growth due to aeolian processes has received some attention but uncertainty remains on where the dune sand, which accommodates growing dunes, originates from in the coastal profile. In this paper we hypothesize that sediment eroded from the upper beach is the main sediment supply for aeolian sediment transport governing dune growth. To test this hypothesis we have analyzed morphological profiles collected monthly at three different field sites (Noordwijk, Vlugtenburg and Narrabeen) during several years. No significant erosive trend due to aeolian processes was found at the upper beach at this temporal resolution. We conclude that it is highly unlikely that the main supply for aeolian sediment transport governing dune growth was located at the upper beach. The intertidal zone might be a relevant alternative source of sediment in the cross shore profile.Coastal Engineerin
Effects of anxiety sensitivity and cognitive emotion regulation on risky behaviors in Chinese adolescents
No full textThe current study utilized a multi-wave longitudinal design and examined whether the relationship between anxiety sensitivity and engagement in risky behaviors in Chinese adolescents would be mediated by use of adaptive/maladaptive coping strategies. Participants completed initial measures assessing their level of anxiety sensitivity, use of cognitive emotion coping strategies and engagement in risky behaviors. Participants also responded to six repeated measures of risky behaviour during the follow-ups. Results of Multi-level Modelling indicated that two maladaptive coping strategies (namely cognitive processes of Blaming-others and Catastrophizing following negative or unpleasant experiences and events) but none of the adaptive coping strategies mediated the relationship between anxiety sensitivity and risky behavior. Implications for research on cognitive coping strategies, limitations and future directions were discussed.Bachelor of Art
The effects of Ang II on CSE or CBS expression in the cultured MCs.
No full text<p>The CSE and CBS mRNA levels were measured by real-time PCR at 24h after Ang II (10 nM) treatment. The data were expressed as Mean±SE, n=6.</p
Transcription factor Ap-1 mediates proangiogenic MIF expression in human endothelial cells exposed to Angiotensin II
No full textMacrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is an inflammatory cytokine associated with the atherosclerotic process and atherosclerotic plaque stability. MIF was shown to be highly expressed in advanced atherosclerotic lesions. Neutralizing MIF with a blocking antibody induced a regression of established atherosclerotic lesions. In this study, we investigated the mechanism underlying the proangiogenic effect of MIF in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). We showed that MIF induced the expression of angiogenesis-related genes in HUVECs. We also showed that MIF induced tube formation of HUVECs in vitro and in vivo. Angiotensin II (Ang II) could specifically up-regulate MIF expression in HUVECs. Using a luciferase reporter assay, we demonstrated that the AP-1 response element in the 5'-UTR of the MIF gene played a role in Ang II-induced MIF expression. Small hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting c-Jun, a component of AP-1, and the AP-1 inhibitor CHX both efficiently inhibited MIF expression. The consistent result of electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) showed that Ang II specifically increased AP-1 activation in HUVECs. Our results suggest that AP-1 mediates Ang II-induced MIF expression which contributes to atherosclerotic plaque destabilization in human endothelial cells. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000286862700008&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=8e1609b174ce4e31116a60747a720701Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyCell BiologyImmunologySCI(E)3ARTICLE135-415
- …
