bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polysaccharide breakdown products drive degradation-dispersal cycles of foraging bacteria through changes in metabolism and motility
Authors: Stubbusch Astrid KM , Keegstra Johannes M , Schwartzman Julia , Pontrelli Sammy , Clerc Estelle E , Charlton Samuel , Stocker Roman , Magnabosco Cara , Schubert Olga T , Ackermann Martin , D’Souza Glen G
Published: July 2024

Most of Earth’s biomass is composed of polysaccharides. During biomass decomposition, polysaccharides are degraded by heterotrophic bacteria as a nutrient and energy source and are thereby partly remineralized into CO
2
. As polysaccharides are heterogeneously distributed in nature, following the colonization and degradation of a polysaccharide hotspot the cells need to reach new polysaccharide hotspots. Even though many studies indicate that these degradation-dispersal cycles contribute to the carbon flow in marine systems, we know little about how cells alternate between polysaccharide degradation and motility, and which environmental factors trigger this behavioral switch. Here, we studied the growth of the marine bacterium
Vibrio cyclitrophicus
ZF270 on the abundant marine polysaccharide alginate, both in its soluble polymeric form as well as on its breakdown products. We used microfluidics coupled to time-lapse microscopy to analyze motility and growth of individual cells, and RNA sequencing to study associated changes in gene expression. We found that single cells grow at reduced rate on alginate until they form large groups that cooperatively break down the polymer. Exposing cell groups to digested alginate accelerates cell growth and changes the expression of genes involved in alginate degradation and catabolism, central metabolism, ribosomal biosynthesis, and transport. However, exposure to digested alginate also triggers cells to become motile and disperse from cell groups, proportionally increasing with the group size before the nutrient switch, and this is accompanied by high expression of genes involved in flagellar assembly, chemotaxis, and quorum sensing. We found that motile cells chemotax toward polymeric but not digested alginate, likely enabling them to find new polysaccharide hotspots. Overall, our findings reveal cellular mechanisms that might also underlie bacterial degradation-dispersal cycles, which influence the remineralization of biomass in marine environments.
Fish CDK2 recruits Dtx4 to degrade TBK1 through ubiquitination in the antiviral response
Authors: Lu Long-Feng , Zhang Can , Li Zhuo-Cong , Cui Bao-Jie , Wang Yang-Yang , Han Ke-Jia , Xu Xiao , Zhou Chu-Jing , Zhou Xiao-Yu , Wu Yue , Xu Na , Yang Xiao-Li , Chen Dan-Dan , Li Xi-Yin , Zhou Li , Li Shun
Published: July 2024

Although the classical biological protein cell cycle protein kinase CDK2 has been extensively studied in higher vertebrates, its function in lower vertebrates beyond the regulation of mitosis remains unknown. In this study, we report a distinct mechanism whereby IFN expression is negatively regulated in fish by CDK2. After infection with the spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV), fish CDK2 expression significantly increased in tissues and cells. Moreover, antiviral resistance was improved in
cdk2
−/−
homozygotes, and the antiviral cytokine interferon (IFN) expression was significantly higher. At the cellular level, CDK2 overexpression reduced IFN expression, while
cdk2
knockdown increased the ability of cells to produce IFN. Subsequently, it was discovered that fish CDK2 binds and degrades TBK1, resulting in reduced IFN. CDK2 increases the K48-linked ubiquitination of TBK1, causing its degradation, while E3 ubiquitin ligase Dtx4 was found to be involved in this process following the significant enhancement of TBK1 K48-linked ubiquitination. Protein mass spectrometry and immunoblot analysis confirmed that the K567 site on TBK1 is essential for CDK2 to engage with Dtx4 and degrade TBK1; thus, after mutating the K567 site, K48-linked ubiquitination of TBK1 was not enhanced by Dtx4, and TBK1 was not degraded by CDK2. Our data demonstrate that fish CDK2 recruits the E3 ubiquitin ligase Dtx4 to target the K567 site of TBK1 and promote its degradation. These results suggest that CDK2 in lower vertebrates is implicated in a specialized role for antiviral innate immunity.
Distinct release properties of glutamate/GABA co-transmission serve as a frequency-dependent filtering of supramammillary inputs
Authors: Hirai Himawari , Konno Kohtarou , Yamasaki Miwako , Watanabe Masahiko , Sakaba Takeshi , Hashimotodani Yuki
Published: July 2024

Glutamate and GABA co-transmitting neurons exist in several brain regions; however, the mechanism by which these two neurotransmitters are co-released from the same synaptic terminals remains unclear. Here, we show that the supramammillary nucleus (SuM) to dentate granule cell synapses, which co-release glutamate and GABA, exhibit differences between glutamate and GABA release properties in paired-pulse ratio, Ca2+-sensitivity, presynaptic receptor modulation, and Ca2+ channel-vesicle coupling configuration. Moreover, uniquantal synaptic responses show independent glutamatergic and GABAergic responses. Morphological analysis reveals that most SuM terminals form distinct glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses in proximity, each characterized by GluN1 and GABAAα1 labeling, respectively. Notably, glutamate/GABA co-transmission exhibits distinct short-term plasticities, with frequency-dependent depression of glutamate and frequency-independent stable depression of GABA. Our findings suggest that glutamate and GABA are co-released from different synaptic vesicles within the SuM terminals, and reveal that distinct transmission modes of glutamate/GABA co-release serve as frequency-dependent filters of SuM inputs.
Prediction method of particle size qualification rate of high-pressure roller mill based on end-edge-cloud synergy
Authors: Guo Hairong , Yan MingYin , Zhao Jing , Wang Lanhao
Published: July 2024

The pass rate of granules is an essential indicator during the high-pressure grinding process, as it accurately reflects the processing quality. Currently, the pass rate of granules is detected primarily based on manual experience judgments or offline inspections. Hence, this article presents a methodology for predicting the pass rate of granularity via an optimized support vector regression approach improved through genetic algorithms. Initially, a time-delay analysis method based on the particle swarm optimization algorithm is applied to mitigate the effects of time delays between the granularity pass rate and other data, thus aligning the dataset on a temporal scale. Subsequently, the feature data were selected using the maximum information coefficient analysis technique, which identified the most significant variables for inclusion in the training and testing sets of the predictive model. Predictions are then made using a support vector machine model that has been enhanced via genetic algorithm optimization. Furthermore, an online prediction model has been established, enabling real-time forecasting of the granularity pass rate and online model updates through root mean square propagation gradient descent optimization algorithm. This method leverages end-edge-cloud collaboration to provide a smart detection mechanism for the throughput rate of particles in high-pressure grinding mills. Experimental results demonstrate that, compared to traditional time-delay analysis, the improved time-delay analysis method proposed in this study is more effective and accurate. Simultaneously, the ɛ-GASVR granularity pass-rate prediction model proposed in this article achieved an R2 of 0.89.
Real-time path planning for autonomous vehicle off-road driving
Authors: Ramirez-Robles Ethery , Starostenko Oleg , Alarcon-Aquino Vicente
Published: July 2024

Background

Autonomous driving is a growing research area that brings benefits in science, economy, and society. Although there are several studies in this area, currently there is no a fully autonomous vehicle, particularly, for off-road navigation. Autonomous vehicle (AV) navigation is a complex process based on application of multiple technologies and algorithms for data acquisition, management and understanding. Particularly, a self-driving assistance system supports key functionalities such as sensing and terrain perception, real time vehicle mapping and localization, path prediction and actuation, communication and safety measures, among others.

Methods

In this work, an original approach for vehicle autonomous driving in off-road environments that combines semantic segmentation of video frames and subsequent real-time route planning is proposed. To check the relevance of the proposal, a modular framework for assistive driving in off-road scenarios oriented to resource-constrained devices has been designed. In the scene perception module, a deep neural network is used to segment Red-Green-Blue (RGB) images obtained from camera. The second traversability module fuses Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) point clouds with the results of segmentation to create a binary occupancy grid map to provide scene understanding during autonomous navigation. Finally, the last module, based on the Rapidly-exploring Random Tree (RRT) algorithm, predicts a path. The Freiburg Forest Dataset (FFD) and RELLIS-3D dataset were used to assess the performance of the proposed approach. The theoretical contributions of this article consist of the original approach for image semantic segmentation fitted to off-road driving scenarios, as well as adapting the shortest route searching A* and RRT algorithms to AV path planning.

Results

The reported results are very promising and show several advantages compared to previously reported solutions. The segmentation precision achieves 85.9% for FFD and 79.5% for RELLIS-3D including the most frequent semantic classes. While compared to other approaches, the proposed approach is faster regarding computational time for path planning.
Application of combined teaching method of case-based-learning and clinical pathway in practical gynecological teaching
Authors: Wang Xiaoxia , Che Xuan , Tang Xuedong , Xu Zhengfen
Published: July 2024

Background

To train highly qualified medical talent in 5-year programs and improve students’ analytical and problem-solving abilities, it is necessary to change the traditional teaching method. This study introduces the combined teaching method of case-based learning (CBL) and clinical pathway and evaluates its role in practical gynecological teaching.

Methods

Medical students in a 5-year program who were enrolled in the fourth year were selected as the research subjects; these students were randomized into two groups that separately received either the traditional teaching method or the combined teaching method of CBL and clinical pathway. Before the internship, a questionnaire was administered to explore students’ views of internship in gynecology, and after the internship, the questionnaire was administered to assess the two teaching methods. Furthermore, theoretical and skill tests were performed both before and after the internship.

Results

A total of 206 medical students in a 5-year program who were in their fourth year were enrolled in the study. Students in the experimental group performed significantly better than those in the control group. They performed significantly better in the postinternship test than in the preinternship test (P < 0.001). The questionnaire showed that more students in the experimental group thought that their learning interests, clinical skills, case analysis ability, clinical communication ability, understanding of theoretical knowledge and clinical thinking ability had improved and significantly differed between the two groups (P < 0.05).

Discussion

Compared to traditional teaching methods, combined teaching method of CBL and clinical pathway can elevate students’ academic performance, improve their learning enthusiasm and help promote clinical teachers’ teaching quality. Additionally, this novel method is effective in facilitating the achievement of teaching objectives and improving the quality of talent training. Therefore, the combined teaching method of CBL and clinical pathway should be popularized and applied in gynecological practice.
The Role of Office Hours in Supporting Students in Ethnic Universities: An Empirical Study on Human Resource Management
Authors: Yen Tsai-Fa(TF)
Published: July 2024

Office Hours not only solve problems left over in class stimulate students' learning motivation and overcome students' learning obstacles, but also build a closer relationship with teachers and get professional advice on further study and employment. However, most teachers and students lack understanding and recognition of this system. Therefore, how to establish a set of Office Hours system and implement it in a reasonable and orderly manner has become a critical research topic. The purpose of this study is to explore the implementation of Office Hours in colleges and universities in ethnic areas; the curriculum learning problems perceived by students; the suggestions perceived by students; the effects of Office hours perceived by students, and to provide relevant recommendations. This study obtained data through a literature search and the implementation of Office Hours. A total of 56 students were selected to participate in the interview. Big data analytics was adopted to get useful words and interpret them later. The results show that in terms of curriculum, the respondents perceive the problem course as advanced mathematics and computer. In addition, the respondents' perceived recommendations included building interests, practising, and writing notes. In addition, only 17% of students received help, on average, when only academic issues were discussed. Therefore, this study puts forward useful and feasible suggestions for universities in minority areas and follow-up research.
Species Composition and Diversity of Coastal Trawled Fishes Landed Off the Coast of Qua Iboe River Estuary, Ibeno, Nigeria
Authors: M. A. Essien-Ibok, , U. U. George, , I. E. Ekpo, , N. M. Emah,
Published: July 2024

An assessment of the specie composition and diversity of fish species from Qua Iboe River Estuary was carried out over a period of six months (March-August, 2019). A total of thirty - one (31) species representing seventeen (17) families were identified under the families Bothidae, Charangidae, Clupeidae, Cynoglossidae, Drepanidae, Eleotridae, Gobiidae, Haemulidae, Polynemidae, Soleidae, Sciaenidae, Sparidae, Sphyraenidae, Scombridae, Tetraodontidae, Trachinidae and Trichuridae. Monthly abundance was lowest in April (122 specimens; 6.21 %) and was highest in March (545 specimens; 27.72 %). The longest species was Trichirus lepturus while the shortest were Drepane africana and Selena dorsalis. Family Sciaenidae had the highest representation in terms of species and Haemulidae had the highest number of individuals. Shannon-Weiner Index of general Diversity (H) value was showing dominance of in Charangidae family. Evenness Index (E) showed all the species were not equally distributed in the waters. Assessment of the condition factor (K) revealed that 22 out of 31 fish species K values less than 5 showing good body condition and wellbeing of the fish while 11 species showed bad body condition. The estuary has a rich ichthyofauna complex. Effective exploitation measures should be used to deter the menace of local extinction in the near future.
Pigmented Rice: A Source of Health and Longevity
Authors: Sharma Aparana , Sandal Anupama , Sayyed Mujahida
Published: July 2024

Rice of different varieties forms the staple food of more than half of the population in the world and is the leading cereal crop in many developing countries of the world. About half of the world population consumes rice as their major source of carbohydrate however it is also consumed as a source of protein in many countries. Rice comes in many shapes, sizes and color and thus its nutritional quality, cooking and uses vary accordingly. It is not only the white rice which contributes to these production figures, but it are available in many colors and pigments including black, purple, brown and red. The yellow, green, brown, red, purple and black colors of the rice have neutraceutical properties and hold the potential to promote health and improve metabolism. Black rice, also called "emperor's rice," has a thin layer of black bran, due to the presence of the purple/ black pigment biochemically termed as 'anthocyanin'. It is a rich source of antioxidants along with other nutrients including B vitamins (thiamine, niacin), vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorous, iron and dietary fibers. Similar to normal white rice, pigmented/ black rice is also glutinous and is relished for its nutritional significance of being low in fat, sugar and salt it is also free from gluten and cholesterol. Not only the historical evidence but modern research findings also support the claim of pigmented rice being 'super food' of twenty-first century. It has wide health benefits including lowering risk of obesity, anti-ageing, anti-cancerous, anti-diabetes and many more. Its consumption even in limited amounts acts as a savior from many serious diseases and illnesses. Due to its nutritional composition and various health benefits, it is considered as a functional food. The presence of anthocyanin, the pigment that imparts it a specific colour and holds antioxidant properties supports health and longevity. The present review reflects the nutritional profile and significant benefits of pigmented rice including its food uses so that the commodity can be popularized and utilized by the population for gaining various health benefits.
Crop Establishment, Residue Retention and Nutrient Management Influence the Phenology-mediated Greenhouse Gases Emission in an Intensive Rice-wheat System
Authors: Choudhury Suborna Roy , Panda Chandan Kumar , Kumar Devashish , Kumar Pravesh , Das Anupam
Published: July 2024

The impact of management practices (i.e. crop establishment, tillage, residue addition etc.) on the global warming potential (GWP) and greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) in rice-wheat cropping system accounting the economic viability is sparsely documented. A field experiment was established in 2020 to gain insight crop phonology mediated greenhouse gas emission into GWP, GHGI and economic viability on crop seasonal scale over three cycles (2020, 2021 and 2022) of rice-wheat rotations under subtropical climatic condition. Treatments were three planting techniques viz., System of rice intensification (SRI) followed by conventional wheat without residues (SRI-CW), Puddle Transplanted rice (TPR) followed by CW with 30% rice residue incorporation (TPR-CWRi) and zero-till direct sowing of rice (ZT-DSR) followed by ZT wheat with 30% rice residue retention (ZTDSR-ZTWRr) and four different nutrient management practices viz., 100% NPK (as per recommended dose) through mineral fertiliser (100% NPKi), 75% NPK through mineral fertiliser with 25% N trough organics (75% NPKi + 25%NOrg.), 50% NPK through mineral fertiliser with 50% N trough organics (50% NPKi + 50% NOrg.) was followed in both rice and wheat crop and 100% NPK through mineral fertiliser (100% NPKi) along with mung bean (Vigna radiata) green manure in rice and 100% NPK through mineral fertiliser in wheat (100% NPKi + GM). All treatments were established in a split-plot design and repeated three times; where three planting techniques were arranged in main plots and four different nutrient management practices were arranged in sub-plots. The highest system productivity was obtained under ZTDSR-ZTWRr treatment. Moreover, this system reduced the CH4 and N2O emission by 62.7 and 48% respectively over TPR-CWRi, hence, the Global Warming Potential (GWP), as well as gaseous intensity (GHGI), were reduced by 2.0-2.18 and 2.13-2.20 times, respectively than the traditional technique of cultivation. Green manure behaves differently by increasing the system productivity by 4.27% was and reducing the GHGI 4.56% over 100% NPKi. Thus, ZTDSR-ZTWRr along with 100% NPKi and green manuring in rice could be an economically viable opportunity for maintaining future yield standard of the system with lower emission scenario.
Performance of Biofortified Spring Wheat Genotypes for Grain Zinc and Iron Concentrations, Grain Yield and Associated Traits in Terai/plains of Nepal
Authors: Pant Khem Raj , Pandey Deepak , Yadav Rajendra Prasad , Gautam Nutan Raj , Nainabasti Anjal , Thapa Dhruba Bahadur , Upadhyay Shesh Raman
Published: July 2024

Breeding for nutrient-rich high yielding wheat varieties is one of the most economical and feasible ways to improve micronutrient deficiency ad hoc building better consumer health among the rural people of South Asia. To identify the Zinc (Zn) and Iron (Fe) enriched high yielding wheat genotypes, 7th Harvest Plus Yield Trial (7th HPYT) and 8th Harvest Plus Yield Trial (8th HPYT) both composed of 50 genotypes (including two CIMMYT checks " Kachu#1" and "Baj#1" and one Local Check "Gautam") were evaluated in alpha lattice design with 2 replications under timely sown irrigated condition at NWRP, Bhairahawa during 2016/17 and 2017/18. The grain Zn concentration and Fe concentration varies among genotypes from 23.8 to 42.4 ppm and 20.6 to 60.6 ppm, respectively. The highly significant positive correlation was found between grain zinc and iron concentration (r = 0.74** in 7th HPYT and r=0.67** in 8th HPYT). This highly positive significant relation between grain Zn and grain Fe indicates that it is feasible to simultaneously improve both micronutrients. In addition, this study reveals that thousand grains weight (TGW) has shown highly significant positive correlation (r = 0.3) with grain zinc and (r=0.4) with grain iron in 7th HPYT to non-significant negative correlation (r = -0.1) with grain zinc and (r=-0.1) with grain iron in 8th HPYT. As Nepali farmers major trait of interest second to grain yield is TGW, this showed that Zn and Fe enriched wheat varieties with higher TGW (bold grain) is feasible. The 9 genotypes in 7th HPYT and 48 genotypes in 8th HPYT showed higher grain yield than local check variety "GAUTAM" which indicates that bio-fortified genotypes are capable of producing higher grain yield with added micronutrient supplements in them. This study recommended 17 genotypes from the 7th HPYT and 38 genotypes from the 8thHPYT based on higher grain yield, grain Zn and Fe concentration and these lines were included in national yield trial for further evaluation in different agro-ecological domain of Nepal. The genotypes with higher grain Zn and Fe concentration viz., 7HPYT409, 7HPYT410, 8HPYT417, 8HPYT404 and 7HPYT442 could be used as donor parents in national wheat breeding program and high yielding genotypes 7HPYT448, 7HPYT418, 7HPYT426, 7HPYT413, 8HPYT415, 8HPYT431, 8HPYT429, 8HPYT407 and 8HPYT405 would be further evaluated throughout the Terai region of Nepal, and outstanding genotype could be recommended as variety for Terai/plains of Nepal.
Assessing the Impact of Agricultural Subsidies on farm Profitability and Sustainability
Authors: Mishra Nikita , Tiwari Anjali , Joshi Milind D. , Gaurav  , Kumar Dhirendra , Misra Vipin Kumar
Published: July 2024

Agricultural subsidies have been a contentious topic in the global discourse on farm profitability and sustainability. This article explores the impact of agricultural subsidies on farm profitability and sustainability across the world, with a specific focus on Asia and India. The study employs a comprehensive literature review and data analysis to assess the effectiveness of various subsidy programs in promoting agricultural productivity, income stability, and environmental sustainability. The findings suggest that while subsidies have contributed to increased farm output and income in the short term, their long-term impact on profitability and sustainability remains questionable. In many cases, subsidies have led to overproduction, market distortions, and environmental degradation, undermining the overall sustainability of agricultural systems. The article highlights the need for a more targeted and efficient approach to agricultural support, one that prioritizes resource conservation, climate resilience, and rural development. It also emphasizes the importance of investing in research and development, infrastructure, and extension services to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the agricultural sector. The study concludes by recommending a gradual shift from input subsidies to more decoupled support measures, such as direct income support and agri-environmental schemes, to align agricultural policies with profitability and sustainability goals. The findings of this article have significant implications for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders in the agricultural sector, as they seek to develop more effective and sustainable support mechanisms for farmers worldwide.
Thermo Structural Analysis of Biomass Combustion Steam Generation Heat Exchangers Using Three Dimensional Numerical Modelling
Authors: Kuttin Kannie Winston , Duodu Enock A. , Mensah Augustine , Muhammed Naziru
Published: July 2024

Biomass with all its positive characteristics contains some elements and compounds that react negatively with stainless which are known for its usage in high temperature, corrosive prone and, hash environment. Therefore, it is pertinent to comparatively study the strength of various corrosive resistance metals to be able to have an alternative to stainless steel.  The purpose of this study is to model and simulate a three-dimensional steam generating boiler plant heat exchanger for a biomass firing process. In the study, inlet temperature and operating temperature of shell and tube sides are taken as input parameters with a square pitch bundle arrangement. The heat transfer analysis is done by considering hot flue gas inside the tubes and steam on shell side to determine the thermal stress, strain and deformation distributions in the tubes and shell of the heat exchanger. The study also presented time-history analysis of the both shell and tubes to ascertain the material reactions within the specified time range. The comparison of deformations and the equivalent strain rate between the two designs indicated an excellent performance of the AL6XN over the 306L stainless steel. The strain amplitude for PMX110 and WKX110 sequentially dropped from 903 to 496 and 621 to 332 between the temperature range of 100 – 10000C respectively. The maximal equivalent strain values for the shells and tubes were 2.238e-003 and 1.294e-004 for PMX110 and 1.490e-003 and 3.212e-004 for WKX110 respectively. The highest deformation in both PMX110 and WKX110 were estimated as 6.729e-004 and 6.131e-004 for the shells and 1.441e-004 and 1.328e-004 for tubes respectively.
Enhancing Community Health Programs: Roles, Operations and Data-Driven Innovations
Authors: Jikiemi Elizabeth
Published: July 2024

Aims: To examine how data-driven strategies can be integrated into community health programs as innovative approaches for effective operation.
Problem Statement: Numerous government engagements in different crucial sectors have limited her concerns about health provision and distribution to many citizens living in remote communities. Health provision characterized with easy accessibility and low cost should not be marginalized and should be the right of every citizen. However, many lives have been lost due to lack of this in some communities.
Significance of Study: To curb this, non-profit sectors are now engaging in community health programs to ameliorate the difficulties faced by distanced citizens living in remote localities. With the advent of this program, it is imperative to incorporate data-driven strategies as innovative approaches to improve and enhance the current state of operations in community health programs.
Discussion: A medical practice that addresses the well-being of people within a particular geographical location is referred to as community health. This technical review paper discusses the concepts, roles and mode of operations of community health workers and the programs that are embedded. The attributes of a robust well-functioning health system as stated by World Health Organisation (WHO) were discussed alongside program components that are often executed by village workers. Value-based care, patient-centered care and P4 medicine were identified as the major ideologies behind data-driven strategies and the characteristic features of each were adequately discussed.
Conclusion: A data-driven healthcare innovative approach must put into consideration the real definition of data management policies, organize training for health care workers who are handling health data and also support the implementation in order to secure the designed information systems.
Income and Expenditure Patterns Among Migrant and Non-Migrant Fisherfolk Households in Malappuram District, Kerala, India
Authors: K. P Nusaiba. , Shibinu S.
Published: July 2024

This study examines the income and expenditure patterns among migrant and non-migrant fisherfolk households in Malappuram District, Kerala. Based on a sample of 375 households, with 172 migrants and 203 non-migrants surveyed between August 2023 and December 2023. Malappuram district which is located in the southern Indian state of Kerala, is known for its Kerala model of development and foremost position in the marine fisheries sector. Employing statistical tools such as chi-square, independent sample t-tests, and multiple linear regression, the study analyses how migration affects the income and expenditure patterns of the marine fisherfolk community. The chi-square results reveal significant disparities in occupational choices influenced by migration. The independent sample t-test indicates a statistically significant difference in mean income between migrant and non-migrant households. The multiple linear regression model examines the influence of migration status on expenditure alongside other explanatory variables, revealing that migration status and income significantly predict expenditure, while family size and age do not. These results, taken together, offer a sophisticated picture of how migration affects the income and spending habits of the Malappuram district's fishing community. Several policy suggestions can be made in light of these findings to reduce inequalities and improve the standard of living for households headed by migrant and non-migrant fishermen. Migrant fishermen can increase their income levels and have more career options by implementing focused skill development and training programs. The community can be empowered and long-term benefits can be ensured by supporting education and awareness programs that emphasize sustainable fishing practices and financial literacy.
Gender Equality in the Higher Education Workforce
Authors: Ibrahim Siti Balkis Mohamed , Johanis Mohd Arsad , Sultan Nor Hafizan Habib , Basir Siti Norayu Mohd
Published: July 2024

This article is a concept paper that focuses on the challenges of achieving gender quality that lead to gender well-being in the workforce in the Higher Education sector. Well-being by gender refers to the overall health and quality of life seen from a gender perspective. It includes physical and mental health, while from a quality-of-life perspective it includes social, psychological, cultural, political and environmental aspects. This principle says that everyone, regardless of their gender, should be treated fairly and equally in all aspects of their lives. This includes equal access to high-quality education, employment opportunities, and a role in politics and social life. In addition, gender equality in education means ensuring that men and women have equal opportunities to obtain high-quality education without facing any barriers or discrimination. Similarly, gender equality in employment requires that men and women receive equal opportunities to work, receive equal pay and progress in their careers regardless of their gender. Gender equality in politics aims to ensure that men and women have the same right to be involved and contribute in the political process and decision-making. The involvement of women in employment must consider the implementation of strategies regardless of gender and must be fair in offering employment. Previously, women in the employment sector were quite marginalized from the current state of national development. The research method used is a qualitative study that uses document content analysis using secondary data, namely journals and scholarly writing, library research and previous research by previous researchers. This study found some challenges that women face to become leaders in the higher education sector. Including prejudice and stereotypes against women's ability, gender-based pay disparities, occupational segregation and work-life balance.
Carotid endarterectomy outcomes according to anesthesia method: General anesthesia or regional anesthesia?
Authors: Sevil Fehim Can ,   Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Health, Research and Practice Center, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Afyonkarahisar, Türkiye, Gume Serkan , Tort Mehmet , Becit Necip ,   Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Health, Research and Practice Center, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Afyonkarahisar, Türkiye,   Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Health, Research and Practice Center, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Afyonkarahisar, Türkiye,   Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Health, Research and Practice Center, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Afyonkarahisar, Türkiye
Published: July 2024

Aim: Surgical strategies in carotid endarterectomy (CEA) vary according to the method of anesthesia, neurological monitoring, shunt use, and closure methods, and the gold standard method has not yet been determined. In this study, we aimed to analyze the superiority and feasibility of CEA under general anesthesia and regional anesthesia. Material and Methods: Demographic characteristics, operative information and follow-up results of 237 patients who underwent CEA between January 2015 and June 2020, 165 patients under regional anesthesia (RA: Group 1) and 72 under general anesthesia (GA: Group 2), were retrospectively analyzed. In Group 1, carotid shunt was placed in patients with a negative awake test (n: 21, 12.7%) and in Group 2 carotid shunt was placed in all cases. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA) and cardiovascular mortality (p: 0.48; p: 0.30; p: 0.63, respectively). Although the operation and clamp time were shorter in Group 1, no significant difference was observed (97.93±11.02 min, 101.46±9.49 min p: 0.23; 19.60±5.62 min, 25.62±7.47 min p: 0.24, respectively). The duration of intensive care unit (ICU) stay was shorter and statistically significant in Group 1. (p: 0.003). There was no significant difference for restenosis rates (p: 0.34). Conclusion: There was no significant increase in postoperative complications in the RA group compared to the GA group despite shunting according to the awake test. Also, patients who underwent RA stayed in ICU for a shorter period of time. CEA can be performed under both GA and RA with similar complication rates.
Postimplantation syndrome after endovascular aortic repair: Impact of endograft material and a review of the literature
Authors: Aytekin Bahadir ,   Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Ankara, Türkiye, Iscan Hakki Zafer ,   Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Ankara, Türkiye
Published: July 2024

Aim: Postimplantation syndrome (PIS) is a systemic inflammatory response occurring acutely after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), with reported incidence ranging from 14% to 60%. This study aimed to evaluate the association of different endograft materials with the manifestation and severity of PIS and the role of thrombus formation with type II endoleak incidence. Material and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on data from patients who underwent elective EVAR between January 2021 and January 2024. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 171 patients were included. The patients had a mean age of 70.3±8.6 years and 93% were male. Patients were divided into PIS and Non-PIS groups, with a subgroup analysis within the PIS group comparing polyester and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) materials. Patient outcomes post-discharge and within the first-year post-surgery were evaluated. Results: No early mortality was observed. PIS was diagnosed in 39.2% of the patients. There was no significant difference on longer intensive care unit (ICU) or hospital stays among the PIS and Non-PIS groups. The incidence of PIS was significantly higher in the polyester subgroup (60%) compared to the ePTFE subgroup (25%). Univariate logistic regression identified polyester material as the factor associated with PIS (P=0.03). First-year computed tomographic angiography (CTA) follow-ups showed a statistically significant lower incidence of type II endoleak (p=0.01) and higher new thrombus formation (p=0.04) in the polyester group. Conclusion: Following EVAR, the patients experience systemic inflammatory responses influenced by the choice of endograft material. Polyester endografts are associated with a higher incidence of PIS and thrombogenicity but a lower incidence of type II endoleak in our study.
Significant achievements: Major milestones for the Turkish Journal of Vascular Surgery
Authors: Erdil Nevzat ,   Antalya City Hospital, Department of Cardiaovascular Surgery, Antalya, Türkiye
Published: July 2024

I am thrilled to share some groundbreaking news from The Turkish Journal of Vascular Surgery, a premier international open-access journal dedicated to vascular surgeons. Our mission is to advance the diagnosis, medical, endovascular, and surgical treatments of arterial, venous, and lymphatic diseases. By publishing cutting-edge articles focused on the investigation, management, and prevention of peripheral arterial, venous, and lymphatic diseases, as well as vascular access, trauma, and malformations, we strive to enhance the management of patients with vascular disorders globally. In an exciting development, our journal has been accepted into the prestigious Scopus index as of October 2023. This inclusion not only validates the high quality of our publications but also significantly enhances their visibility and impact in the scientific community. Moreover, articles published in 2022 and 2023 have also been indexed, ensuring that recent research contributions are readily accessible to a wider audience. Adding to this achievement, The Turkish Journal of Vascular Surgery was accepted into the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) in June 2024. This significant milestone underscores our dedication to providing unrestricted access to high-quality research and supporting the dissemination of knowledge within the vascular surgery field. These accomplishments mark a significant step forward in our journey to becoming the leading resource for vascular surgeons worldwide. Our inclusion in these prestigious indices not only recognizes the excellence of our contributors but also positions our journal at the forefront of vascular surgery research. We are immensely proud of these achievements and believe they will serve to further elevate the standing and influence of our journal. As we continue to evolve, we remain dedicated to supporting the vascular surgery community with the latest research, developments, and discussions in the field. Thank you for your unwavering support and valuable contributions to The Turkish Journal of Vascular Surgery. We eagerly anticipate your future submissions and collaborations, as together, we advance the frontier of vascular surgery.
Chemical Synthesis of Dinucleotide Cap Analogs
Authors: Kore Anilkumar R. , Shanmugasundaram Muthian
Published: December 2013

This unit describes a reliable, efficient and general method for the synthesis of standard cap analog (mCAP), m7G[5′]ppp[5′]G, and anti–reverse cap analog (ARCA), m7,3′

O
G[5′]ppp[5′]G. The synthesis of required intermediate m7GDP or m2
7,3′O
GDP has been achieved through regioselective methylation of the corresponding diphosphate using dimethyl sulfate under aqueous conditions. Then, the coupling reaction of m7GDP or m2
7,3′O
GDP with ImGMP using ZnCl2/DMF system affords the corresponding cap analog in good yields. Curr. Protoc. Nucleic Acid Chem. 55:13.13.1‐13.13.12. © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Establishment of Gastrointestinal Epithelial Organoids
Authors: Mahe Maxime M. , Aihara Eitaro , Schumacher Michael A. , Zavros Yana , Montrose Marshall H. , Helmrath Michael A. , Sato Toshiro , Shroyer Noah F.
Published: December 2013

The intestinal epithelium constitutes a system of constant and rapid renewal triggered by proliferation of intestinal stem cells (ISCs), and is an ideal system for studying cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Primary cell cultures have proven to be promising for unraveling the mechanisms involved in epithelium homeostasis. In 2009, Sato et al. established a long‐term primary culture to generate epithelial organoids (enteroids) with crypt‐ and villus‐like epithelial domains representing the complete census of progenitors and differentiated cells. Similarly, isolated ISCs expressing Lgr5 (leucine‐rich repeat‐containing G protein–coupled receptor) can generate enteroids. Here, we describe methods to establish gastric, small intestinal, and colonic epithelial organoids and generate Lgr5+ve single cell–derived epithelial organoids. We also describe the imaging techniques used to characterize those organoids. This in vitro model constitutes a powerful tool for studying stem cell biology and intestinal epithelial cell physiology throughout the digestive tract. Curr. Protoc. Mouse Biol. 3:217‐240 © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Direct Bandgap Silicon: Tensile‐Strained Silicon Nanocrystals
Authors: Kůsová Kateřina , Hapala Prokop , Valenta Jan , Jelínek Pavel , Cibulka Ondřej , Ondič Lukáš , Pelant Ivan
Published: December 2013

Silicon, a semiconductor underpinning the vast majority of microelectronics, is an indirect‐gap material and consequently is an inefficient light emitter. This hampers the ongoing worldwide effort towards the integration of optoelectronics on silicon wafers. Even though silicon nanocrystals are much better light emitters, they retain the indirect‐gap nature. Here, we propose a solution to this long‐standing problem: silicon nanocrystals can be transformed into a material with fundamental direct bandgap via a concerted action of quantum confinement and tensile strain. We document this transformation by DFT calculations mapping the E(k) band‐structure of Si nanocrystals. The experimental proofs are then given firstly by a 10 000× increase in the photon emission rate of strained silicon nanocrystals together with their altered absorbance spectra, both of which point to direct dipole‐allowed transitions, secondly by single nanocrystal spectroscopy, confirming reduced phonon energies and thus the presence of tensile strain, and lastly by photoluminescence studies under external hydrostatic pressure.
Interstitial deletion 14q22.3‐q23.2: Genotype–phenotype correlation
Authors: Martínez‐Frías María Luisa , Ocejo‐Vinyals Javier Gonzalo , Arteaga Rosa , Martínez‐Fernández María Luisa , MacDonald Alexandra , Pérez‐Belmonte Elena , Bermejo‐Sánchez Eva , Martínez Salvador
Published: December 2013

The increasing use of molecular tools in genetic diagnosis has produced a surge in the detection of genomic imbalances. Among the growing number of newly discovered chromosome alterations are the interstitial deletions 14q21‐q23. In previous reports of this deletion, the patients appear to share ocular defects, pituitary alterations and hand/foot anomalies. Here, we present a 12‐year‐old girl with dysmorphic face, choanal atresia, gastroesophageal reflux, and moderate developmental delay, in whom an interstitial deletion 14q22.3‐q23.2 was detected using a 180k array comparative genome hybridization. The 6.5 Mb deletion contains 27 genes, including three genes of the SIX family: SIX1, SIX4, and SIX6. In mammals, Six1 has been shown to be involved in ocular differentiation, whereas Six4 and Six6 are primarily expressed in the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and facial bones. We used data on mouse embryos to evaluate the expression of the SIX genes, as well as other representative genes lost in the current patient and a previously published case with a similar phenotype, in order to correlate their pattern of expression with the functional anomalies that constitute the patient's phenotype. We also explored the possibility of other genetic influences, such as the existence of an imprinted region in chromosome 14q, which may provide a better understanding of the observed clinical variability. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dysspondyloenchondromatosis without COL2A1 mutation: Possible genetic heterogeneity
Authors: Tran Mau‐Them Frédéric , Boualam Aurélia , Barat‐Houari Mouna , Jeandel Claire , Cottalorda Jérôme , Cormier‐Daire Valérie , Fabre Aurélie , Dumont Bruno , Lefort Geneviève , Baujat Geneviève , Le Merrer Martine , Jorgensen Christian , Touitou Isabelle , Geneviève David
Published: December 2013

Dysspondyloenchondromatosis is a rare form of generalized enchondromatosis associated with spinal involvement. This skeletal dysplasia is characterized by multiple enchondromas present in vertebrae as well as in metaphyseal and diaphyseal parts of the long tubular bones, post‐natal short stature, and early development of kyphoscoliosis. A novel heterozygous missense mutation in COL2A1 was recently identified in a patient with dysspondyloenchondromatosis. This suggests that dysspondyloenchondromatosis might expand the already broad spectrum of type II collagenopathies. Here, we report on a young girl with features of dysspondyloenchondromatosis, specifically short stature, thoracoscoliosis, and generalized enchondromas lesions. Sanger sequencing failed to detect a mutation in COL2A1. We therefore suggest that dysspondyloenchondromatosis is a genetically heterogeneous condition. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Growth curves in Down syndrome: Implications for clinical practice
Authors: Bertapelli Fabio , Martin Juan Eduardo Samur‐San , Gonçalves Ezequiel Moreira , de Oliveira Barbeta Vinicius Justino , Guerra‐Júnior Gil
Published: December 2013

Growth curves have been developed for individuals with Down syndrome (DS) in several countries. However, in order to facilitate the preparation of clinical guidelines it is necessary to verify the eligibility of these curves. The search was conducted according to the PRISMA method (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta‐Analyses). It was conducted between July 2012 and June 2013 in MEDLINE/PubMed and BIREME. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to identify the studies and a total of 16 relevant articles were selected. The aspects analyzed in the articles consisted of sample size, number of observations, age group, anthropometric variables, standard deviation scores (SDS), type of study, collection and analysis of data, participants, inclusion/exclusion criteria and outcomes. The mean, standard deviations (SDs) and percentiles for sex and age were used to develop the curve of weight, height, and head circumference. The individuals with DS presented growth between −0.4 and −4.0 SDS in comparison to healthy controls. The variation in these observations can be explained by genetic differences, secular trends in growth and disease status. Regarding the limitations identified, it was observed that most of the studies did not provide data concerning the number of individuals and observations, mean values and respective SDs by sex and age. In addition, most studies did not use LMS methods to evaluate asymmetry, the median and data variability. In conclusion, the results of this review demonstrated that in order to avoid false diagnoses in children and adolescents with DS new growth curves must be developed. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.