838 research outputs found
A novel missense variant in PNLDC1 associated with nonobstructive azoospermia
No full text: The most severe type of male infertility is nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA), where there is no sperm in the ejaculate due to failure of spermatogenesis. The predictable frequency of NOA in the general population is one in 100 men. Genetic studies have recognized dozens of NOA genes. Most NOA aetiologies remain idiopathic. Monogenic mutations can be a reason for a part of idiopathic NOA cases. To address this, we studied the pedigree of a consanguineous family with three NOAs by a family-based exome sequencing. Our goal was to pinpoint the genetic variants responsible for idiopathic NOA to aid future clinical genetic diagnostics and treatment strategies. Bioinformatics analysis followed by Sanger sequencing revealed that NOA patients were homozygous for a rare novel missense variant in PNLDC1(NM_173516:exon9:c.710G>A;p.Gly237Asp). In silico, single-cell RNA sequencing data analysis and protein modelling demonstrated that PNLDC1, Gly237Asp resided in the conserved region of the CAF1 domain which could lead to local instability in the structure and alteration of protein phosphorylation site. We conclude that the novel missense PNLDC1 variant may affect meiosis and spermatogenesis, leading to NOA and the genetic cause of this idiopathic NOA family. Our result helps genetic counselling for idiopathic NOA cases and provides the occasion for more efficient diagnosis in the clinical setting
Application of Analog Adaptive Filters for Dynamic Sensor Compensation
No full textThis paper investigates the application of analog adaptive techniques to the area of dynamic sensor compensation, of which there is little reported work in the literature. The case is illustrated by showing how the response of a load cell can be improved to speed up the process of measurement. The load cell is a sensor with an oscillatory output in which the measurand contributes to the response parameters. Thus, a compensation filter needs to track variation in measurand whereas a simple, fixed filter is only valid at one specific load value. To facilitate this investigation, computer models for the load cell and the adaptive compensation filter have been developed. To allow a practical implementation of the adaptive techniques, a novel piecewise linearization technique is proposed in order to vary a floating voltage-controlled resistor in a linear manner over a wide range. Simulation and practical results are presented, thus demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed techniques
Identity Issues among Post-secondary Nonnative Students in an English Speaking Country
No full textAbstractAn important issue in education is the learners’ identities. In major metropolitan areas, universities host students from multiple backgrounds. These students bring multiple identities to the classroom. Respectively, an inaugural element of identity is the learners’ multiple linguistic backgrounds. In this paper, the relationship between the learners’ identities and their linguistic backgrounds is discussed. It is proposed that in post-secondary classes, the issues of identity need to be considered appropriately. Specifically, multiple identities of the learners need to be acknowledged and accommodated. Incorporation of the learners’ multiple first languages can act as a facilitative tool from both educational and psychological perspectives
Branding the 'Beur' Author Minority Writing and the Media in France
No full textThis book reconsiders authorship by the descendants of North African immigrants to France by consulting how these authors' novels have been discussed and promoted in the national audio-visual media.Cover -- Contents -- Acknowledgements -- List of Illustrations -- 1. Authorship at a Crossroads -- 2. Mehdi Charef and the Invention of Beur Writing -- 3. Competing Visions of Minority Authorship -- 4. Eyewitness Narratives and the Creation of the Beurette -- 5. Rachid Djaïdani and the Shift from Beur to Banlieue Writing -- 6. Revising the Beurette Label -- 7. Sabri Louatah and the Collectif Qui Fait la France? -- Works Cited -- IndexThis book reconsiders authorship by the descendants of North African immigrants to France by consulting how these authors' novels have been discussed and promoted in the national audio-visual media.Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, Michigan : ProQuest Ebook Central, YYYY. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ProQuest Ebook Central affiliated libraries
A new, 3D overlapping-sphere model of cell adhesion:
No full textCell adhesion refers to the ability of cells to make enduring and dynamic attachments to extracellular surfaces and to each other; rightly so it is a focal point of current biological research. I have designed a computational framework to model cell adhesion using a modified overlapping-sphere model. A core feature of the model is the three-dimensional representation of a cell surface that can interact mechanically with its environment. The generalization of a cell as a sphere gives our model the compactness to enable the simulations of thousands of cells, comparable to the number of cells typically encountered through small scale studies of early development and disease. Specifically, we use this computational framework to model adhesion between cells in a monolayer and a fibrous environment, cell shape change, as well as cell replication. We also include elements of cell orientation, or cell polarity, and touch on some aspects of mechanical feedback. We explore some general aspects of developmental biology as well as cancer in mammary ducts. Although we emphasize epithelial cells, which are cells that form monolayers, we also briefly consider migratory cells. The major results are that (1) Cells in a monolayer, like sheets and tubes, need to be both mobile and well-connected to adapt to mechanically stresses, (2) Cells that are not polarized do not produce a stable monolayer of cells, (3) Extracellular support, like a basement membrane, can minimize the stresses experienced at cell-cell junctions, (4) Mitosis triggered by tension can help maintain a monolayer of cells, (5) Cell shape needs to be incorporated into models to minimize undesirable stresses, (6) Our computational framework is useful to predict behavior of cells subjected to mechanical forces. As this is a new model, results are chiefly qualitative, and suggest future work in collaboration with experimentalists to verify and quantitate our results.M.S.Includes bibliographical references (p. 79-81)by Mehdi Doum
Correction: Synthesis and characterization of a new ZIF-67@MgAl 2 O 4 nanocomposite and its adsorption behaviour
No full textPublisher Copyright: © 2021 The Royal Society of Chemistry.The authors regret that an incorrect affiliation was given for co-author Mehdi Bazarganipour in the original article. The correct affiliations are as shown here. The Royal Society of Chemistry apologises for these errors and any consequent inconvenience to authors and readers
RETHINKING INDUSTRIAL POLICY
No full textDespite the hold of the neoliberal orthodoxy on policy making in developing countries, industrial policy remains important for the promotion of industrial development. However, the context for the design of industrial policy has profoundly changed as a result of new rules governing international trade, the rise of global value chains and marketing networks, and other aspects of globalization. Traditionally, the case for industrial policy has been framed in terms of “market failures” but the paper argues that that is not a sufficient basis. After addressing the traditional points of criticism, an attempt is made to outline the “domains” of industrial policy in the current circumstances, especially for industrially lagging countries. As country contexts differ widely there are no satisfactory blueprints for policy making that countries can readily adopt. As in production decisions, considerable ingenuity and innovation is needed in designing policies. This is all the more necessary as the WTO rules have become increasingly stringent and the rise of international trading networks has created new barriers for young firms to enter the world market. These developments have changed the context but not the importance of policy in industrial development. The paper identifies areas where government intervention is needed and can still make a positive difference.
Higher education in Oregon's prisons: measures of access, equity and excellence in practice
No full textresearch team: Maya Lazaro, Jove Rousseau, Fatima Mehdi, James Conway.Title from PDF cover (viewed on November 3, 2021)."2021 Masters of Public Administration Capstone Research."This archived document is maintained by the State Library of Oregon as part of the Oregon Documents Depository Program. It is for informational purposes and may not be suitable for legal purposes.Includes bibliographical references (pages 30-32).Mode of access: Internet from the Oregon Government Publications Collection.Text in English
Application of the extended discrete element method (XDEM) in the melting of a single particle
No full textIn this contribution, a new method referred to as Extended Discrete Element Method (XDEM) is usedto model melting of a single particle in the fluid media. The XDEM as a Lagrangian-Eulerian framework is the extension of Discrete Element Method (DEM) by considering thermodynamic state such as temperature distribution and is able to link with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for fluid phase. In order to provide more accurate results, multiscale method was used. The model is validated by comparing predicted results with existing experimental data for melting of a single ice particle in a water bath. In addition, the model has the capability to be extended to the packed bed of particles with different size and properties to produce different liquid phases
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