Synthesis and characterization of titanium dioxide nanomaterials for photocatalytic hydrogen production

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Do Islamist Parties Help or Hinder Women? Party Institutionalization, Piety and Responsiveness to Female Citizens

Does electing Islamist parties help or hurt women? Due to Ennahda winning a plurality in the 2011 elections and women from all parties winning 31% of seats, Tunisia offers an opportunity to test the impact of legislator gender and Islamist orientation on women\u27s representation. Using original 2012 surveys of 40 Tunisian parliamentarians (MPs) and 1200 citizens, we find that electing female and Islamists MPs improves women\u27s symbolic and service responsiveness by increasing the likelihood that female citizens are aware of and contact MPs. Electing Islamist female MPs has a positive impact on women\u27s symbolic and service responsiveness, but decreases the likelihood that men will interact with legislators. We argue that Islamist deputies are more responsive to women due to an Islamic mandate effect—that is, Islamist parties\u27 efforts to institutionalize their constituency relations, provide services to the marginalized through direct contact with citizens, and respect norms of piety by using female parliamentarians to reach women in sex-segregated spaces. While Islamist parties positively impact some dimensions of women\u27s representation, they also reinforce traditional gender relations. Our results extend the literature on Islam, gender, and governance by demonstrating that quotas and party institutionalization improve women\u27s representation in clientelistic contexts

Enhancing Peer Review Through Critical Reading: A learner Training Model

The recursive and complex nature of the composing process, centred on peer review, involves multiple steps in the production of a text such as drafting, revision, rewriting, reshaping, and negotiation of meanings. This paper argues that in order for peer review to be an effective feedback delivery system, L2 students of writing need to be trained on critical reading before they embark on reviewing peers’ drafts. The paper further argues that implementation of critical reading can improve the ability of both feedback provider and student writer to work together toward the accomplishment of the process of writing and production of final draft

Regulation of human endocardial endothelial cells' secretion of endothelin-1 by neuropeptide Y

Les cellules endothéliales endocardiques (CEEs) modulent la fonction cardiaque en libérant différents facteurs cardioactifs tels l'oxide nitrique (NO), les prostacyclines, l' endothéline-1 (ET-1) et l' angiotensine II (Ang Il). Récemment, des résultats obtenus dans notre laboratoire démontrent la présence du NPY et ses récepteurs Y 1 et Y 2, ainsi que de l'ET-1 et ses récepteurs ET A et ET 8 , au niveau des cellules endothéliales endocardiques humaines (CEEs). Nous avons également démontré que le NPY induit une augmentation soutenue du calcium intracellulaire de ces cellules et que seulement les CEEs isolées du ventricule droit ont la capacité de sécréter le NPY. De plus, plusieurs évidences dans la littérature montrent l'existence d'intéractions complexes entre l'ET-1 et d'autres médiateurs cardioactifs comme le NO et l' Ang II. Basé sur ces informations, l'objectif de cette étude est de déterminer si un dialogue existe également entre les systèmes du NPY et de l'ET-1 au niveau des CEEs humaines isolées des ventricules droit (CEEDs) et gauche (CEEGs). En utilisant la technique d'immunofluorescence indirecte couplée à la microscopie confocale en 3D ainsi que la technique ELISA, nos résultats montrent que l'application de concentrations croissantes de NPY (I0-15 , 10- 10 et I0-5M) induit la libération de l'ET-1 des CEEDs et des CEEGs et ce en fonction du temps et de la concentration. Il semble que les CEEDs possèdent une plus grande capacité de sécrétion de l'ET-1 par rapport aux CEEGs. L'utilisation d'antagonistes sélectifs des récepteurs Yi. Y2 et Y5, et des récepteurs ETA et ETs, nous ont permis de démontrer qu'au niveau des CEEDs, la sécrétion de l'ET-1 induite par le NPY est principalement due à l'activation des récepteurs Y 2. De plus, il semble que l 'ET-1 ainsi libéré active par la suite les récepteurs ETA et ET B· De façon différente, au niveau des CEEGs, la sécrétion de l 'ET-1 induite par le NPY est due à l'activation des récepteurs Y 5 sans la participation subséquente des récepteurs ET A et ET 8 dans cet effet.Abstract: Endocardial endothelial cells (EECs) can exert a significant influence on cardiac function by releasing various factors such as nitric oxide (NO), prostanoids, endothelin-1 (ET-1) and angiotensin II (Ang II). Recently, results obtained in our laboratory demonstrated the presence of NPY and its receptors, Y[subscript 1] and Y[subscript 2], as well as ET-1 and its receptors, ET[subscript A] and ET[subscript B], at the level of endocardial endothelial cells (EECs). We have also shown that NPY induces a sustained rise in the intracellular calcium level of these cells, and that only right ventricular EECs have the capacity of secreting NPY. Moreover, the evidence in the literature has become plentiful about complex interactions existing between ET-1 and other cardioactive mediators, such as NO and Ang II. Based on the above-mentioned data, the objective of this study was to investigate if a dialogue equally exists between the systems of NPY and ET-1 at the level of human right (hREECs) and left (hLEECs) ventricular EECs. Using the technique of indirect immunofluorescence coupled to 3-D confocal microscopy, as well as ELISA, our results show that increasing concentrations of NPY (10[superscript -15], 10[superscript -10] and 10[superscript -5]M) induce the release of ET-1 from REECs and LEECs in a time- and dose-dependent fashion. However, right ventricular EECs seem to have a higher ET-1 secretory capacity as compared to their left counterparts. Upon the use of selective antagonists for the NPY receptors, Y[subscript 1], Y[subscript 2] and Y[subscript 5], and the ET-1 receptors, ET[subscript A] and ET[subscript B], our results demonstrated that in REECs the NPY-induced release of ET-1 seems to be primarily due to Y[subscript 2] receptor activation, with the subsequent activation of the ET[subscript A] and ET[subscript B] receptors by the released ET-1. On the other hand, in LEECs, the NPY-evoked secretion of ET-1 seems to be mainly the result of Y[subscript 5] receptor activation by NPY. Unlike REECs, the ET-1 released by NPY in this type of cells does not seem to be contributing further to its own release by activation of its ET[subscript A] and ET[subscript B] receptors. Therefore, our results suggest that NPY is a regulator of ET-I secretion at the level of human EECs, and that this secretory process of ET-1 is different between the right and left ventricular cells. Moreover, these results serve to highlight and endorse the important sensory and tuning roles that right and left ventricular EECs possess, respectively. The ability of EECs to contribute to the local as well as systemic release of factors, such as NPY and ET-1, can affect not only the excitation-secretion coupling of EECs and the excitation-contraction coupling of cardiomyocytes, but also the physiological and pathophysiological state of the underlying, heart muscle

ACTIVITY OF PEACH TWIG BORER Anarsia lineatella Zeller AND ITS ASSOCIATED BIO AGENTS ON PEACH TREES

The seasonal activity of the peach twig borer, Anarsia lineatella Zeller was in-vestigated during 2004 and 2005 seasons. The data revealed that the infested twigs empty from larvae (15%) were higher than that with larvae (1.25%) in February. The situation was reverse in April which recorded 8% and 14.75% for both, respec-tively. In fruits, infestation began to appear in the third week of March which rec-orded 2% whereas the maximum rate was recorded in May (16.75%). Three species of hymenopterous parasitoids were found; Apanteles ruficrus Haliday (Fam. Braco-nidae), Diplazon laetatorus Fab. (Fam. Ichneumonidae) and Microgaster tiro Rein-hard (Fam. Braconidae). These parasitoids reached its maximum during April (13.5%) that seems to be more active. Their numbers were positively correlated with the rate of infestation (r = + 0.799). In spite of presence of four predatory species (Coccinella undecimpunctata L., Rodalia cardinalis Mulsant, and Scymnus syriacus Marseul (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Syrphus sp. (Diptera: Syrphidae)), it seems to be less active. Their numbers recorded very slight positive correlation with the rate of infestation (r =+0.423

The Novel Coronavirus Pandemic between the Theories of Emergency Conditions and Force Majeure and its Impact on Contractual Obligations A comparative Study in Islamic Jurisprudence

This study revolves around an old and renewed topic, which is: the new Corona epidemic between the two theories of emergency conditions and force majeure and its impact on contractual obligations, a study in comparison to Islamic jurisprudence. The study addressed this topic, through an introduction, three sections, and a conclusion. The introduction contained the introductory topic, the problematic of the topic, its importance, the reasons for writing it, the methodology used in writing it, and its pl The first topic dealt with defining the vocabulary of the title (Corona epidemic, the theories of emergency conditions, force majeure - impact - contractual obligations), and the second topic addressed (the legal and legal nature of the emerging corona epidemic), and the third topic spoke about (the impact of the spread of the new Corona epidemic and its implications for contractual obligations. Then came the conclusion, in which the researcher recorded the most important findings and recommendations of the study. Whereas, the impact of the Corona epidemic on contractual obligations varies according to its adaptation, as it is an emergency circumstance, which makes the implementation of the contract cumbersome for one of the parties, severe exhaustion, so the judge applies the theory of emergency conditions. Or considering him a force majeure, and thus the judge applies the theory of force majeure to him

Evaluation of insulin-like growth factor-I gene polymorphism in Egyptian small ruminant breeds

The genetic improvement of production traits can be developed through marker assisted selection. Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is a member of the somatotrophic axis which has a remarkable variation of its biological effect including protein synthesis and skeletal growth. This study aimed to detect the genetic polymorphism of IGF-1 in different Egyptian sheep and goat breeds. The amplified fragments at 320-bp were digested with HaeIII endonuclease and the results show the presence of three different genotypes: CC (15.71%), CG (29.29%) and GG (55.0%). The nucleotide sequence analysis of C and G alleles declared the presence of a single nucleotide polymorphism (C→G) at position 282. The nucleotide sequences of alleles C and G in sheep and goat were submitted to GenBank with the accession number: KX432965, KX432966, KX432967 and KX432968, respectively. In conclusion, a nucleotide substitution (C→G) was detected in IGF-I gene in Egyptian sheep and goat breeds resulting in the presence of three different genotypes; CC, CG and GG. The association of IGF-I polymorphism with different growth trait parameters were reported at significant levels, so, the genetic and SNP variations in IGF-I gene may be a potential molecular marker for growth traits in different Egyptian sheep and goat breeds.Keywords: IGF-1, polymerase chain reaction - restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), DNA sequencing, sheep, goa

LARVAL PARASITOIDS OF THE POTATO TUBER MOTH Phthorimaea operculella IN POTATO AND TOMATO FIELDS

Larval parasitoids of the potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella Zell. were surveyed in potato and tomato fields in Menofyia Governorate in 2003. Three species were found to attack P. operculella larvae infesting potato plants; the endoparasitoids, Apanteles litae var. operculellae Nixon and Diadegma molliplum Hlmgrn. and the ectoparasitoid, Bracon instabilis Marshal. Meanwhile, only B.instabilis was found to attack the larvae infesting tomato leaves. Percentages of parasitism in potato fields averaged 10.8, 5.6 and2.6 % by B.instabilis, A.litae and D.molliplum, respectively. The total percentages of parasitism by the three species ranged from 11.0 to 28.6 % with an average of 19.1 % in potato field, while it ranged in tomato fields from 0.0 to 21.4 % with an average of 11.1 % by B. instabili

DNA Characterization and Polymorphism of KISS1 Gene in Egyptian Small Ruminant Breeds

Genetic information especially of the Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) which affect different performance traits is considered one of the most effective tools in the breeding programs of livestock. Several genes were reported as candidate genes that effect litter size performance and one of these genes is the KISS1 which is considered as a regulator of puberty onset. The polymorphisms of KISS1 gene have some relationships with high prolific and sexual precocity. The objective of this study was the detection of the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of KISS1 gene in six major Egyptian small ruminant breeds. The primers used in this study flanked a 377 bp fragment from intron 1 of KISS1 gene in sheep and goat. These PCR amplified fragments were digested with XmnI endonuclease. According to the presence or absence of the restriction site (GAANN^NNTTC) at position 121^122, we genotyped the 122 tested animals as AT (54.92%) and TT (45.08) with the absence of AA genotype. The overall frequencies of alleles A and T were 27.46 and 72.54%, respectively. The sequence analysis of purified PCR products representing these two detected genotypes declared the presence of a SNP (T→A) at position 125 in the amplified fragment which is responsible for the elimination of the restriction site and consequently the presence of two different alleles T and A. The nucleotide sequences of sheep KISS1 alleles T and A as well as goat KISS1 alleles T and A were submitted to GenBank database and have accession numbers: KP835797, KP835798, KP835799 and KP835800, respectively. It is concluded that small ruminant breeds have high frequency of KISS1 allele T which was associated with greater litter size. We recommend to increase this allele in Egyptian small ruminant breeds and also to select the animals which possess TT genotypes of KISS1 gene and enter them in breeding programs of Egyptian small ruminants to increase their fecundity traits.Keywords: Sheep, Goat, KISS1, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP), Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs