Hemogen (Hemgn) is reported as a tissue specific transcriptional regulator in testis as well as hematopoietic tissues. It is known that Hemgn positively regulates erythroid differentiation; however,the underlying molecular mechanism is not well understood. In the current study, using proteomic approach in combination with other molecular biology tools,we have attempted to decipher the role of Hemgn in differentiating Murine erythroblast leukemia (MEL) cells as a model system. Our study reveals that Hemgn predominantly interacts with transcriptional regulators, chromatin modifiers and histones. Furthermore, using Chromatin Immunoprecipitation and knockdown approach, we have demonstrated that Hemgn is recruited to the b-globin locus, which is known to be activated during erythroid differentiation. Based on the results,we speculate that Hemgn acts as a tissue specific histone chaperone that regulates transcription during erythroid differentiation.

PdCl2/Bi2WO6 and Pd/Bi2WO6 composite photocatalysts were synthesized via a template free hydrothermal process and the respective photocatalytic activities were investigated by degradation of Rhodamine B. The new catalyst composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ultraviolet visible (UV-vis) light diffuse reflectance spectra, respectively. By XRD, it was found that the loaded Pd species did not alter the crystal lattice of Bi2WO6 photocatalyst. Through the XPS spectra, it was found that the PdCl2/Bi2WO6 was successfully reduced by chemical reducing agents CH2O and N2H4, respectively, and palladium was present in the form of both metallic Pd and Pd ion spe-cies (Pd0 and Pd2+), while the Pd species in a NaBH4-reduced composite exhibited only metallic Pd species (Pd0). For the SEM images, it was observed that both classes of composites were constructed from plenty of nanoplates, which were closed packed with hierarchical structures. Furthermore, the removal efficiency of Rhodamine B was found to be influenced by parameters such as catalyst dosage, pollutant concentration and solution pH.

Limited information exists regarding the effects of light pearling on the properties of physical grain characteristics, composition, and technological and sensory properties of selected varieties of Western Canadian barley especially hulless barley genotypes with modified starch characteristics. Nine barley genotypes with different hull (hulled and hulless) and starch characteristics (normal, waxy, and high amylose (HA)) were pearled to three differing levels. Scanning electron micrographs showed that the pericarp, testa, aleurone, and subaleurone layers were completely removed in heavily pearled barley whereas only a few outer layers were removed in minimally pearled barley. Waxy starch genotype Fibar and HA starch genotypes, SH99250 & SB94893 contained high levels of soluble β-glucan (9-11%). Waxy starch genotypes exhibited higher β-glucan solubility when cooked compared to normal and HA starch genotypes. However, HA starch genotypes had lower in vitro starch digestibility which may provide a lower glycemic response in humans.

Streptococcus agalactiae is a significant pathogen causing invasive disease in neonates and thus an understanding of the molecular basis of the pathogenicity of this organism is of importance. N-terminal lipidation is a major mechanism by which bacteria can tether proteins to membranes. Lipidation is directed by the presence of a cysteine-containing lsquolipoboxrsquo within specific signal peptides and this feature has greatly facilitated the bioinformatic identification of putative lipoproteins. We have designed previously a taxon-specific pattern (G+LPP) for the identification of Gram-positive bacterial lipoproteins, based on the signal peptides of experimentally verified lipoproteins (Sutcliffe I.C. and Harrington D.J. Microbiology 148: 2065¿2077). Patterns searches with this pattern and other bioinformatic methods have been used to identify putative lipoproteins in the recently published genomes of S. agalactiae strains 2603/V and NEM316. A core of 39 common putative lipoproteins was identified, along with 5 putative lipoproteins unique to strain 2603/V and 2 putative lipoproteins unique to strain NEM316. Thus putative lipoproteins represent ca. 2% of the S. agalactiae proteome. As in other Gram-positive bacteria, the largest functional category of S. agalactiae lipoproteins is that predicted to comprise of substrate binding proteins of ABC transport systems. Other roles include lipoproteins that appear to participate in adhesion (including the previously characterised Lmb protein), protein export and folding, enzymes and several species-specific proteins of unknown function. These data suggest lipoproteins may have significant roles that influence the virulence of this important pathogen.

Background: Chronic HBV within the Canadian Arctic is considered endemic (>2% prevalence). To control endemic rates in Nunavut, a vaccination program was initiated approximately 20 years ago, targeted at newborns and grade school students, as an interim catch-up program, such that all individuals born after 1980 are potentially vaccinated. This study investigates the efficacy of these programs and is the first seroepidemiological survey to determine HBV prevalence in Nunavut in the post-vaccination era. Methods: Anonymized serum specimens scheduled for destruction following routine medical testing were collected from individuals granting consent. Specimens were tested for antibodies to HBV (anti-HBs, anti-HBc) and hepatitis C virus. Anti-HBc positive samples were further tested for surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity, and HBV DNA was extracted from HBsAg positive samples in order to perform molecular characterization. Results: 4802 specimens were collected according to the age distribution of Nunavut, with vaccine age cohort specimens comprising just over half of all collected specimens. Overall anti-HCV+ was 0.55%, with all positivity observed among those aged 24 to 69 years old. Total anti-HBc+ prevalence was 9.40%; however, a 10-fold decrease in the rate of HBV exposure was noted among those born after 1980 compared to those born before (1.89% vs 20.1%, p<0.001). HBsAg positivity was primarily documented in individuals born before 1980 (2.55%), although cases still occurred among the vaccine age cohort (0.21%). HBV subgenotype B5 (HBV/B5), known to be unique among Inuit and Alaska Native people, was the most prevalent genotype observed (82%). Vaccine-based antibody as the sole serological marker was evident in the vaccine age cohort, although the rate of decay with increasing age was much greater than anticipated. Conclusion: Nearly two decades after the advent of HBV vaccination in Nunavut, HBV prevalence has decreased to 1.17%, indicating a non-endemic or low risk prevalence. However, the persistence of infection and a lower than expected prevalence of vaccine-based immunity in the vaccine age cohort will require further investigation to understand the causes and consequences.

The objective of my research is to provide a better understanding of the relationship between the micro-seismicity, tectonics and crustal structure in southwest Yukon in order to improve seismic hazard assessments in this region. I used a combination of single event and multiple event location techniques to determine earthquake locations and depths. As well, frequency-magnitude statistics were calculated to analyze rates of seismicity and possible changes in the rates of seismicity. The addition of the YUK array in August 2010 has enabled location of smaller events and detection of a systematic northeast trend of earthquakes. Seismicity is concentrated in four main areas: 1) Yaktutat Block-Fairweather Fault, 2) Duke River Fault, 3) Denali Fault, and 4) a NE-trend. There was relatively little seismic activity during this period along the northern Denali Fault segment and only a small amount of activity along the southern portion of the Denali Fault. There is significantly more seismic activity along the Duke River Fault and NE-trend and a clear region of seismicity just west and parallel to the Alaska-Yukon border between the Duke River Fault and northern Denali Fault. Frequency-magnitude statistics and seismic hazard analyses for southwest Yukon were improved by decreasing the minimum magnitude of completeness from M3.0 to M1.0. Between September 2010 and November 2011, event magnitudes ranged from 0.2 to 4.7 and depths from 0 to 35 km. To address how the YUK array has improved single event locations and depths, we use a single-event location technique to monitor seismic activity. Only 37 of the 106 events detected for the Duke River Fault and NE-trend could potentially be located without the YUK array. When the Alaska Earthquake Information Center (AEIC) network was combined with the Canadian National Seismograph Network (CNSN), events within the NE-trend shift on average 6.6 km to the northeast and the depth increased on average 2.6 km. Within the Duke River and NE-trending clusters, there is an average maximum horizontal error of ±0.9 km and an average error in depth of ±3.2 km. Free depths in the Duke River and NE-trending clusters range from 0 to 20 km. These depths are not well-constrained as the closest station is more than 20 km away. Two events within the southern Denali Fault cluster have well-constrained depths of 4.8 km and 8.2 km at distance less than ~8 km from station YUK6, consistent with upper crust (2-10 km) focal depths. A Progressive Multiple Event Location technique (PMEL) was used to identify and better constrain spatial patterns along the Duke River Fault and NE-trend. Results clearly shows that events fall along the Duke River Fault and that the NE-trend events are located on a previously unidentified active fault. To determine rates of seismicity and possible changes in the rates of seismicity, I examine b-values from frequency-magnitude statistics for each cluster of earthquakes before and after the 2002 M7.9 Denali Fault earthquake. b-values increased from 0.81 ± 0.14 to 1.05 ± 0.22 , suggesting higher Coulomb stress and more frequent smaller earthquakes. / Graduate

This thesis is a dialectical exploration of the importance of the Jewish tradition and theology in the work of Walter Benjamin, primarily through his reading of Franz Joseph Molitor's Philosophie der Geschichte oder über die Tradition, and secondarily through his close friendship with Gershom Scholem. It also argues that the influence of the Jewish tradition is a constant factor in Benjamin's work, transcending the conventional division between his 'metaphysical' Frühwerk and his 'Marxist' Spätwerk. The first chapter presents a historical-philosophical overview of the form and content of the Jewish tradition, with particular emphasis on the seminal importance of language as the medium of tradition. The second chapter offers both an exhaustive philological investigation of Benjamin's contacts with Molitor's book, on the basis of new information gathered from both Benjamin's and Scholem's diaries and correspondence, as well as a selection and discussion of some of the most salient and relevant aspects of Philosophie der Geschichte. The third and final chapter assesses the impact of the foregoing as it culminates in the work of Walter Benjamin. Firstly, it focuses on the early essays Über Sprache überhaupt und über die Sprache des Menschen and Über das Programm der kommenden Philosophie, drawing parallels between their conception of language as a medium and Jewish concepts of language and tradition as they are presented by Molitor and Scholem. Secondly, it turns to the Protokolle zu Drogenversuchen and to Benjamin's unfinished magnum opus, Das Passagen-Werk, to illustrate the continuity of his thoughts on language and tradition in the concept of profane Erleuchtung. After each chapter, a short interlude focuses on different forms of Judaism in Benjamin's work, notably the Jewish concept of commentary in the essays on Kafka, the concept of the understated apocalypse and the name of God.

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The use of total quality management philosophies and business management strategies are an effort to approach quality process and business improvement as a systematic process. Its human resource theme describes how the organisation involves its employees in the quality and business management improvement effort by educating them about problem-solving tools, techniques and strategies. It also allows them to obtain the knowledge and skills they need to perform their jobs better. The technology and systems theme of TQM advocates the use of state-of-the-art technology that is available and economically feasible to achieve the desired goals. It also helps make use of the best business strategy practices to achieve business success. The original theme of the research project was to develop a knowledge-based expert system that would help in the achievement of a world-class business excellence performance through continuous process improvement. The system so developed would make use of the knowledge of the system providing recommendations to its users as to what quality management remedial actions; quality strategic plans or business management strategies should be taken. The user's quality or specific management problems were initially identified. The system would assist users to achieve continuous improvement to world-class business performance level by using different quality management tools and techniques, gurus' philosophies and different business management strategies. Development of an expert system for achieving world-class business performance through continuous process improvement requires a better knowledge base and incorporating the Chinese philosophies for Eastern culture countries will be advantageous. The gap in knowledge set the scene for the direction of the research project. The gap in current thinking is: • The lack of integration of Chinese philosophies into organisational development towards world-class business excellence • The lack of understanding how Chinese values or thinking can assist achievement of world-class business excellence. There are a number of major objectives in this research project: • Review the philosophies of the quality gurus, total quality management principles and detailed elements of the ISO 9000 quality management system, • Review the quality management improvement tools, in particular the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) methodology for quality management and business strategic planning. • Understand the meaning of world-class business excellence by reviewing the quality awards, in particular the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and The European Quality Award models. • Understand the philosophy of Chinese philosopher Confucius and how this relates to quality management strategy and the economic influences. • Understand the philosophy of Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu's The Art of War and The Thirty-six Strategies, and how these relate to business management strategies. • Substantiate the Eastern gurus' philosophies and hypotheses in business management and strategic planning by surveys and analyses.