All policies, initiatives and ideas of accession countries are directed towards the European Union. With the safe development and enlargement, European Union is the world's center of peace and stability. For Montenegro, as a small open economy in the Western Balkans, which tends to become part of a unique political, economic and cultural market, entrance into the EU is a strategic goal from independence gained in 2006. Within the framework of the process of European integration, Montenegro unifies all resources that are still significantly underdeveloped thus creating better options for their absorption and further development. In accordance with the previous, the key issues that are analyzed in this paper are the following: In what way and at what "speed" is Montenegro working on the process of EU integration? With what kind of problems and challenges Montenegro is facing? What methods in the context of European integration Montenegro is using? To what extent are the solutions optimal and relevant for Montenegro? Key words: integration, candidate, negotiation, accession, Montenegro, European Union

The genetic component of mammalian male fertility is complex and involves thousands of genes. The majority of these genes are distributed on autosomes and the X chromosome, while a small number are located on the Y chromosome. Human and mouse studies demonstrate that the most critical Y-linked male fertility genes are present in multiple copies, show testis-specific expression and are different between species. In the equine industry, where stallions are selected according to pedigrees and athletic abilities but not for reproductive performance, reduced fertility of many breeding stallions is a recognized problem. Therefore, the aim of the present research was to acquire comprehensive information about the organization of the horse Y chromosome (ECAY), identify Y-linked genes and investigate potential candidate genes regulating stallion fertility. To achieve theses goals, a direct cDNA (complementary DNA) selection procedure was used to isolate Y-linked genes from horse testes and 29 Y-specific genes were identified. All 29 genes were mapped to ECAY and their sequences were used to further expand the existing map. Copy number analysis identified 15 multicopy genes of which 9 were novel transcripts. Gene expression analysis on a panel of selected body tissues showed that some ECAY genes are expressed exclusively in testes while others show ubiquitous or intermediate expression. Quantitative Real-Time PCR using primers for 9 testis-specific multicopy genes revealed 5 genes with statistically significant differential expression in testis of normal fertile stallions and stallions with impaired fertility. Gene copy number analysis showed that the average copy number of 4 such genes was decreased in subfertile/infertile stallions compared to normal animals. Taken together, this research generated the first comprehensive physical gene map for the horse Y chromosome and identified a number of candidate genes for stallion fertility. The findings essentially expand our knowledge about Y chromosome genes in horses, open a new avenue for investigating the potential role of ECAY genes in stallion fertility which contribute to the development of molecular tools for the assessment of fertility in stallions.

Abstract For years, holding international sport games has been Taiwan¡¦s goal and we are on the way to realize it. The experiences of applying to holding international sport games are beneficial to our ability in future applying. The success of acquiring the opportunities to hold international society¡¦s committeemen sport games can improve our sport ability boost our national image, and strengthen the society¡¦s committeemen. Sine Taiwan has applied many times in the past; we have accumulated certain level of experience. The history of applying to holding East Asia Games, Asia Games, International University Games, International Children¡¦s Games, World Games, and Deaf Olympics showed that our determination and efforts to hold international sport games. Through literature review, this study aims to find the effects of holding an international game. Then, based on scholars and experts¡¦ opinions, the paper tried to find the factors of successfully acquiring the ownership of holding Olympic Games. In addition to political factors, there should be other factors of acquiring the ownership of international sport games. Due to the fact that most documents for application are not accessible, the study aims to make use of documents revealed to the public provided by IOC. The results of this study show in the first phase those cities hoping to be the candidate cities have no ideas about what other opponent cities are. Therefore, all those cities can do is to prove their capabilities with numeral statements to pass standards IOC set. In the second phase, IOC will send experts to candidate cities to investigate the infrastructure of candidate cites and get a comprehensive understanding about how the candidate cities are going to deal with every aspect that is necessary to take care for holding Olympic Games. The results of the first and second phases may greatly differ. The most crucial point lies in the election held in IOC session that will hold the selection of host cities after candidate cities make their last presentations about their plans concerning holding Olympic Games. According to the study mentioned above, I came up with following suggestions. The success of acquiring the opportunities to hold international sport games lies in continuous improvement of applicant city and through learning during the application process. The experiences of applying and holding international sport games are beneficial to future opportunity acquiring. If future studies can work on factors that influence the decision making of voting committee members and factors such as members representing candidate city or the content of presentations is. Keywords: international sport games, IOC, candidate city

This dissertation consists of three essays concerned with coordination, cooperation and the governance of institutions. / Economics

Objective: To determine whether genotype at the catechol-O-methyltransferase rs4680, dopamine D2 receptor rs1800497, serotonin receptor 1A rs6295 or serotonin transporter 5-HTTLPR single nucleotide polymorphisms is associated with response to citalopram and escitalopram treatment in patients with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Methods: Twenty one patients with depression or anxiety who were treated with citalopram or escitalopram for greater than one year, and who stopped the medication for a period of time during which their symptoms returned, and upon re-commencing the medication their symptoms were again reduced, were classified as responders. Patients were assessed using the Sheehan Disability Scale and the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomology- self report. The control group consisted of 146 healthy participants. Genotype was determined at each of the candidate genes studied: catechol-O-methyltransferase, dopamine D2 receptor, serotonin receptor 1A and serotonin transporter. Chi squared tests were used to compare genotypic and allele frequencies between responders and controls. Results: There was no significant difference in genotypic or allele frequencies between responders and controls at each of the genes analyzed. Conclusions: This pilot study suggests that genotype at the catechol-O-methyltransferase, dopamine D2 receptor, serotonin receptor 1A and serotonin transporter genes is not associated with response to citalopram and escitalopram treatment in patients with depression and anxiety. A larger sample size, along with a genome-wide scan are needed to identify genetic variants that predict medication response in future patients. / Thesis (Master, Neuroscience Studies) -- Queen's University, 2010-08-31 12:26:21.402

No description available.

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) produced by Clostridium botulinum are the causative agents of botulism and represents a family of seven structurally similar but antigenically different serotypes (A to G). The BoNTs are expressed in C. botulinum as a single polypeptide chain and then posttranslationally nicked, forming a di-chain polypeptide chain consisting of a 100-kDa heavy chain and a 50-kDa light chain held together by a disulfide bond. Topologically, the neurotoxins are composed of three domains, a binding domain (HC), a translocation domain (HN) and a catalytic domain. The BoNTs act preferentially on cholinergic nerve endings in both humans and animals and thus produce a flaccid paralysis that may result in death. In southern Africa, BoNT types C and D have been associated with botulism in cattle. To combat the disease, a bivalent vaccine consisting of formalin-inactivated type C and D holotoxins is currently available, and although it is efficacious, several concerns regarding its production has been raised, most notably its cost. The development of efficacious recombinant subunit vaccines may provide a means whereby many of the production problems may be eliminated or minimized. Consequently, the aim of this investigation was to produce a recombinant botulinum neurotoxin serotype D binding domain [BoNT/D(HC)] vaccine candidate for preventing BoNT/D intoxication. Towards this end, the gene fragment for the heavy chain (HC) of the BoNT produced by the C. botulinum type D vaccine strain D-50 was amplified, cloned in Escherichia coli and characterized by nucleotide sequence analyses. An alignment of the deduced amino acid sequence with that of characterized clostridial type C and D neurotoxins demonstrated that the heavy chains are composed of highly conserved domains interceded with tracts of amino acids exhibiting little overall relatedness, although considerable identity between the components ofa specific pair is apparent in certain of the regions. The deduced amino acid sequence exhibited 99, 66 and 73% identity with the reported amino acid sequences of BoNT/D-SA, BoNT/D and BoNT/C1, respectively. Attempts at expressing the native gene sequence for the HC from BoNT/D-50 in Brevibacillus brevis 47-5Q were unsuccessful. This may have been due to differences in codon bias between the heterologous gene and B. brevis. Consequently, a completely synthetic codonoptimized gene encoding the HC of BoNT/D-SA was constructed and expressed using a B. brevis 47-5Q mutant as expression host, obtained on mutagenesis with N-methyl-N’-nitro-Nnitrosoguanidine (NTG). Extracellular expression of the 48-kDa recombinant protein was verified by Western blot analyses with anti-BoNT/D antibodies. The recombinant BoNT/DSA(HC) protein was purified from the culture supernatant and used to vaccinate mice, after which their survival against challenge with active toxin was evaluated. Mice given two subcutaneous vaccinations were protected against intraperitoneal administration of 4 X 102 mouse lethal dosages (MLDs) of 16S BoNT/D-50 toxin. Antibody levels in mice surviving challenge were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and confirmed that BoNT/D-SA(HC) was successful in evoking a protective immune response, whilst Western blot analyses indicated the presence of anti-16S BoNT/D-50 toxin antibodies in the serum. From these results it could be concluded that the recombinant BoNT/D-SA(HC) protein is an effective immunogen, able to protect against a high challenge dose of BoNT/D-50 neurotoxin. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Microbiology and Plant Pathology / unrestricted

A shotgun genome sequencing project was undertaken in the expectation that access to the entire protein coding potential of E. Ruminantium (Welgevonden) will facilitate the identification of vaccine candidate genes against heartwater. The 1,516,355 bp sequence is predicted to encode 888 proteins and 41 stable RNA species. The most prominent feature is the large number of tandemly repeated and duplicated sequences, some of continuously variable copy number. These repeats have mediated numerous translocation and inversion events and seem to be responsible for the generation of both new full and partial protein coding sequences. There are 32 predicted pseudogenes, most of which are truncated fragments of genes associated with repeats. Of the 13 members of the order Rickettsiales compared in this study, E. Ruminantium has the lowest coding capacity (62%), lowest GC content (27.5%), but the highest proportion of repetitive sequences, which comprise 8.5% of the genome. Metabolic reconstruction of E. Ruminantium revealed the metabolic and biosynthetic capabilities typical of an obligate intracellular organism. We identified a number of genes unique to E. Ruminantium, most of which are not functionally characterised in any organism, and those shared with 12 other members of the Rickettsiales. Bioinformatic tools were used to identify possible vaccine candidates from the annotated genome sequence. The protective properties of seven open reading frames (ORFs), which induced cellular immune responses in vitro, were tested in vivo Only 20% survival was obtained in sheep immunised with a DNA formulation consisting of three ORFs. We found that the levels of peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production did not correlate with each other, nor with the levels of protection, suggesting that the current assays are just not reliable and that IFN-γ expression alone is not an indicator of protection. Therefore more cytokines and different assays will have to be investigated to define in detail what constitutes a protective immune response against E. Ruminantium infection. However, the data generated from the genome sequence will continue to facilitate novel approaches to study the organism and to develop an efficacious vaccine against heartwater. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / unrestricted

No description available.

This dissertation addresses the question of women's descriptive underrepresentation in Canadian politics at the federal level. Previous studies of women's underrepresentation in Canada and elsewhere have largely focused on analysing the results of elections, and studies that do account for earlier factors such as recruitment and candidate selection are limited in their scopes. In this dissertation I analyse women's representation in a holistic manner, accounting for factors from the pre-nomination stage up through election. Conceptually, I approach the path to political office as a three-stage "representation pipeline," comprising candidate emergence, candidate selection, and election. I base my analysis on Elections Canada's records of nomination contests held by federal political parties for the 2004 through 2019 general elections, paired with relevant district-level demographic factors from the Canadian census. I complement this analysis with an original survey of nomination contestants in the 2019 election. I find that women's underrepresentation in Canada is determined chiefly by issues in candidate emergence, rather than by issues in candidate selection or electoral discrimination. Instead, nominations in Canada are in the strong majority of cases acclamations, making candidate emergence and election the only meaningful barriers to women's representation in most cases. Furthermore, women face a small but significant degree of electoral discrimination, with women having slightly lower odds then men of winning election even when controlling for their party's past performance in the district. Finally, I find that urban districts are more conducive to women's representation at all three stages of the representation pipeline.