bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Women, Peace, and Security and Nationality Laws in the Syrian Conflict
Authors: Del Rosario Grimà Algora María
Published: November 2023

The right to nationality is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and various international and regional human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the European Convention on Nationality. Nationality provides a link to a specific state, and, more importantly, it constitutes the condition sine qua non for the deployment of an array of human rights. Yet, states are unwilling to fully defer to international law the determination of the right to a nationality. This, in combination with gender-based discrimination in nationality laws, can strip individuals their right to a nationality. In the case of Syria, women cannot pass on their nationality to their children born in exile, creating a generation of stateless children. This paper analyses how the Women, Peace and Security (‘WPS’) agenda of the Security Council offers a solution to this problem and to challenge Syrian nationality laws. WPS provides a gender perspective and a human rights approach to conflict and post-conflict situations, including displacement. Nationality rights are only merely tackled in the WPS resolutions. Nonetheless, WPS is a strong tool to address the issue of statelessness created by the intersection of gender discriminatory laws, displacement, and an incomplete human rights framework.
Houston, We Have a Problem - Jurisdictional Issues of Criminal Law in Outer Space
Authors: Persad-Ford Avin
Published: November 2023

This paper argues that the current means of prescribing criminal jurisdiction in outer space are inadequate. The Outer Space Treaty and Intergovernmental Agreement – the main international law instruments that prescribe criminal jurisdiction in outer space - fail to account for many potentially common scenarios in outer space. It would also be impractical to fully transplant the means of prescribing criminal jurisdiction on Earth to apply in outer space too. This paper argues that, although it is customary international law to not have a hierarchy of prescriptive criminal jurisdictions on Earth, the best approach for outer space would be to amend Article VIII of the Outer Space Treaty to allow for a hierarchy of prescriptive criminal jurisdictions there. In descending order of priority, the jurisdictions should be based on territoriality, active nationality, passive personality, universality, and protectivity. Such a hierarchy would respect the underlying principles governing human activity in outer space, while providing greater certainty to countries about whose criminal laws apply under which scenarios in outer space than the current regime provides for.
Afghanistan: Towards Wider Interests of Justice?
Authors: Goh Samantha Clare
Published: November 2023

The Pre-Trial Chamber (“PTC”) II of the International Criminal Court (“ICC”) handed down its much-awaited decision on the request for authorisation of an investigation into the situation in Afghanistan1 earlier this year. The escalating conflict in Afghanistan has generated thousands of civilian casualties, many of whom were also victims of acts potentially constituting war crimes within the ICC’s jurisdiction.2 Thus, the decision that the investigation would not be in the interests of justice to pursue came as a surprise to the legal community, as given the presumed dormancy of the provision – many had thought that any admissible case would ipso facto be in the interests of justice to pursue. Indeed, it was widely assumed that the decision would only be subject to review by the PTC where the Office of the Prosecutor (“OTP”) had decided not to pursue an investigation solely in the interests of justice.3 This case note will analyse the role of state cooperation in the PTC’s interests of justice determination in light of the principle of complementarity, which holds that the ICC should only intervene where a State Party was “unwilling or unable”4 to investigate a crime falling under the ICC’s jurisdiction. The objectives of domestic institution-building that the principle was conceived to foster will be considered, before concluding that the PTC’s overt focus on prosecutorial success is misguided.
A contemporaneous evaluation of the degree of success of the Financial Markets Test Case Scheme in the seminal case of FCA v Arch Insurers and Others (2021) UKSC 1
Authors: Burke Sean
Published: November 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the lives of virtually every single human being on planet earth. It has had catastrophic consequences on all parts of day-to-day life, especially the economy. Businesses were mandated to shut under public health grounds, costing them huge sums of money and destroying some businesses altogether. The businesses which did manage to survive found themselves in dire situations and subsequently instigated business interruption insurance claims for an indemnity to cover the money which had been lost. The sheer scale of this public health emergency resulted in an extraordinary number of claims being brought forward. Unsurprisingly, these claims were largely rejected by insurers. This left hundreds of thousands of policyholders in uncertain positions as, in many cases, legitimate claims were being rejected. The Financial Conduct Authority (hereinafter ‘FCA’) recognised the sheer scale of the potential fallout of so many businesses not being covered and so sought to commence a special type of claim in the newly founded Financial List. This dissertation will evaluate and assess the degree of success of the use of the Scheme in the seminal FCA test case.
Are the Laws Still Poor? Reflections on the Right to Work Limiting the Right to an Adequate Standard of Living
Authors: First Chen
Published: November 2023

Despite the existence of a comprehensive human rights framework that includes the rights to work, social security, and an adequate standard of living, poverty persists. This article contends that these rights, rather than complementing each other, undermine one another and undermine discussions about human dignity. Louis Blanc's original conception of the right to work as a way to gain emancipation and shape the market has been reduced to a focus on individual working conditions. In the absence of concrete implementation plans, the right to an adequate standard of living is often conflated with the right to social security and assistance at the national level. Constitutions and court rulings impose the primary responsibility of working on individuals to achieve an adequate standard of living. Moreover, job market development has become the predominant strategy for addressing poverty. By emphasizing individual responsibility, the right to work is transformed into a duty to work, blurring the line between state intervention and individual responsibility. By focusing on work and working conditions, we stigmatize people in poverty and ignore its causes. Most importantly, human dignity unrelated to work and the right to an adequate standard of living are omitted from this human rights framework.
Best of both worlds? The interplay between international human rights law and the law of armed conflict in cyberspace
Authors: Grote Tatjana
Published: November 2023

Cyberoperations are an increasingly prevalent part of armed conflict, as evidenced by the recent cyber-based incidents in Ukraine. While much has been written about how the law of armed conflict (LOAC) applies to such operations, relatively little attention has been paid to the role of international human rights law (IHRL). This article seeks to contribute to filling this gap with a view to international armed conflict. In its first part, it will be demonstrated that essential parts of LOAC are premised on the idea that only operations having violent effects like death, injury or destruction are of a severity that would justify an obligation to distinguish between civilians and military objectives. As political, economic and social activities move into the non-physical sphere of cyberspace, this is assumption is no longer tenable. Yet, it is averred that simply applying the principle of distinction to all cyberoperations does not constitute a satisfying solution. The article hence turns to IHRL and finds that its focus on individual rights and accountability could compensate LOAC’s shortcomings. However, IHRL’s protective value is greatly circumscribed by its limited extraterritorial applicability. The novel conclusion offered in the final section is that the true source of the existing gap in legal protection against military cyberoperations is the possibility of affecting the enjoyment of immaterial goods and freedoms without having physical control over a person. This makes the norms of LOAC inadequate and IHRL inapplicable, leaving civilians caught up in situations of armed conflict vulnerable to severely harmful cyberoperations.
Unilateral Extraterritorial Sanctions: The Search for a Jurisdictional Justification under International Law
Authors: Nagel Anna Sophie
Published: November 2023

The US and the EU, amongst other nations, responded to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 with a coordinated series of unprecedented sanctions. Expanding upon previous practice, the US sanctions package in particular contained several restrictive measures with extraterritorial application. This article examines the legality of unilateral extraterritorial sanctions imposed by the US, both historically and currently, by reference to the customary international law on state jurisdiction. It is argued that unilateral extraterritorial sanctions exceed the scope of the traditional jurisdictional grounds of territory, nationality, and security. In order to legitimise the current sanctions regime against Russia, which requires at least limited extraterritoriality to be effective, two novel bases of jurisdiction are proposed: reasonableness and anti-evasion. Whilst reasonableness must be rejected as a free-standing jurisdictional principle because of the ambiguity and subjectivity in its application to state practice, anti-evasion should be recognised as creating jurisdiction over conduct designed to circumvent otherwise lawful sanctions.
Sovereign Therefore Limited: The Unconstitutionality of Ouster Clauses for Errors of Law Under the British Constitution
Authors: Lafortune Vincent
Published: November 2023

This paper argues that ouster clauses which seek to bar judicial review for errors of law are incompatible with, and thus inadmissible under, the British constitution. That is to say, judicial review for illegality is a constitutional fundamental that not even Parliament is competent to abolish. Two arguments are deployed to support that contention. Firstly, it is argued that a full grasp of the core notion of Parliamentary sovereignty leads to the truism that Parliament itself is disabled from ousting the judicial review jurisdiction of the courts with respect to errors of law; one cannot simultaneously espouse the constitutional principle of Parliamentary sovereignty and accept the constitutionality of such ouster clauses. Secondly, it is argued that this aforementioned limitation to Parliament’s legislative remit logically deduced from the notion of Parliamentary sovereignty—far from being the product of sheer happenstance—is in fact the manifestation of imperatives that necessarily constrain the exercise of legislative power in a democracy.
One Belt One Road Disputes: Does China Have Dispute Resolution Methods Fit for Purpose?
Authors: Zuo Jia
Published: November 2023

The One Belt One Road Initiative (‘OBORI’ or ‘OBOR’) is a top-level project primarily aimed at increasing infrastructure output and investment. It has been implemented in more than 60 countries across the world and has had a far-reaching impact on transnational trade. In order to respond to the increasing need for legal services to assist in the implementation process, China endeavours to provide a fair and trustworthy legal environment by establishing innovative international commercial courts in certain cities and by reforming existing international arbitration rules. Meanwhile, there remain many challenges to construct a collaborative legal system which covers a large range of jurisdictions, legal customs, and business approaches. This essay contends that the Chinese approach to arbitration and adjudication, since the launch of the OBORI, has undergone a paradigm shift from a domestic approach towards a dynamic and internationalised one. This is a result of the enhancement of the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards, the introduction of ad hoc arbitration, and the establishment of the China International Commercial Court (‘CICC’). However, to achieve China’s ambitious plan of promoting its dispute resolution mechanism to an international level, it could further enhance the independence and efficiency of its dispute settlement institutions.
Treaties, Peremptory Norms and International Courts: Is the Hierarchy Theory Treading Water?
Authors: Lusted Madeleine
Published: November 2023

In its recent report, the ILC addressed two main outstanding issues relating to jus cogens norms: the existence of regional jus cogens and the possibility of an illustrative list. The report concludes with draft conclusion 24, which proposes a non-exhaustive list of the “most widely recognised” peremptory norms, such as the prohibition of genocide and aggressive use of force. Peremptory norms are no doubt a “positive part of international law,” yet are still conceptualised by some as “a dramatic (or threatening) magic.” The ILC’s report is perhaps an attempt to concretise jus cogens as, in Kolb’s words, an “operational concept of law”, rather than a mere extension of natural law theory or lofty ideals. This post offers the thesis that, whilst such a mission is admirable, the operation of peremptory norms as envisaged by the ‘hierarchy theory’ remains impeded by the dominance of treaties as a source of international law. Furthermore, this seems unlikely to change in the immediate future because treaties are a primary vehicle for the enforcement of state sovereignty, which remains paramount in an international legal sphere dominated by positivist notions of state consent. The conflict is thus characterised by the dichotomy between realpolitik and international ideals.
Possibilities of improving fatty acid composition of bovine milk from human health standpoint: a review
Authors: Bilal Ghulam , HM Waheed , JA Baig , A Qayyum
Published: November 2023

Bovine milk fat composition is substantially different from the proposed ideal milk fat composition regarding human health. The present paper discusses the current state of knowledge on various factors affecting bovine milk fat composition and proposes possible ways of altering milk fat profile in a desirable direction. Among the physiological factors, the stage of lactation seems to have a stronger impact on milk fat composition, probably due to varying energy balance across the lactation in dairy cows. Parity and age at calving may not significantly affect milk fat composition. Milk fat composition can be altered by changes in the feeding and/or production system, although change through forages seems to be less optimistic, and change by concentrate or dietary fat appears to be costly. Genetic selection, being permanent, cumulative, and multiplicative, for better milk fat composition may result in increased proportions of more desirable monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids and decreased proportions of less desirable saturated fatty acids in bovine milk fat. It is important for dairy farmers, nutritionists, and geneticists to consider the health aspects of milk and other dairy products while making any breeding and other management decisions.
Selenium and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a double-edged sword
Authors: Rizvi Saliha , Srivastava Sanchita , Raza Tasleem
Published: November 2023

Selenium (Se) is a pivotal micronutrient crucial for human health, particularly in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This review explores the impact of Se on T2DM, considering its delicate balance between deficiency and excess. It has antioxidant properties, but its relationship with T2DM follows a U-shaped curve. Se mimics insulin, guarding beta cells, but clinical studies discourage supplementation due to T2DM risk. Elevated Se disrupts glucose and lipid metabolism, causing hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia. This connection warrants further investigation in nutritional science to manage Se intake carefully and promote overall well-being while reducing diabetes risk.
Percepción y expectativas de estudiantes universitarios sobre la participación en
el deporte representativo
Authors: Garcés Sofía , Numpaque Daniel , Peña Mendoza Juan Esteban , Villarraga Blandón David L. , Rodríguez Granada Lina María
Published: November 2023

El objetivo del estudio fue identificar las motivaciones de los deportistas
universitarios frente a su participación en las actividades deportivas que ofrece la
institución. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 73 estudiantes, con los cuales se
realizaron grupos focales y se aplicó la Escala de Motivación al Deporte (EMD). Se
encontraron diferencias significativas entre sexo en la subcategoría de
introyección, con puntajes mayores para las mujeres, y en el puntaje global de
motivación extrínseca, a favor de los hombres. También se encontraron diferencias
significativas entre deportes (fútbol de campo y voleibol) y en la subcategoría de
identificación de motivación intrínseca, y se demostró la estabilidad de estos
resultados mediante un procedimiento de remuestreo de bootstrapping (n=10
000). En el análisis cualitativo se configuraron tres familias: amor a la disciplina a
pesar de la precarización del deporte universitario, estrategias de vinculación
fallidas de bienestar universitario y paradojas —atención administrativa al deporte
universitario—, compuestas cada una por categorías y citas de los grupos focales.
En conclusión, se encontró una percepción de apoyo administrativo insuficiente
hacia la práctica deportiva de los estudiantes respecto a los recursos materiales y
profesionales del deporte, así como en la vinculación al deporte universitario. Sin
embargo, los estudiantes mantienen una alta motivación frente a la práctica
deportiva.
Rol del psicólogo deportivo. Una mirada desde los institutos del deporte
antioqueños
Authors: Posada Zonaika , Morales Arango Laura Estefanía , Álvarez González Dayana
Published: November 2023

La psicología de la actividad física y el deporte tiene múltiples escenarios de
actuación. De allí que sus posibilidades de intervención sean variadas y tengan en
cuenta a todas las personas que hacen parte de los contextos de la actividad
física, el ejercicio y el deporte. Dentro de las poblaciones susceptibles de
intervención se encuentran las personas inmersas en el deporte de iniciación,
formativo y de alto rendimiento, que se desarrollan en instituciones públicas y
privadas, las que se encargan de acompañar desde las diferentes ciencias del
deporte a la persona que lo practica. En Antioquia, particularmente, se pueden
encontrar ambos tipos de organización, y aunque las privadas han sido aquellas
que más vinculan psicólogos del deporte, también se encuentran organizaciones
de índole departamental y municipal que han abierto sus puertas para que
psicólogos realicen intervenciones y acompañamiento con deportistas,
entrenadores, padres de familia o procesos de desarrollo organizacional. De allí
que este capítulo reúna experiencias de actuación en estas organizaciones,
permitiendo visibilizar el rol del psicólogo en el contexto teniendo en cuenta los
retos y posibilidades que se identifican en el quehacer diario.
Ռազմատեխնիկական քաղաքականության կատարելագործումը որպես պետության պաշտպանունակության ապահովման հանգուցային ուղղություն / Improvement of military-technical policy as a key direction in ensuring the national defense capability
Authors: Selivanov V. , Ilyin Yu.
Published: November 2023

The state’s military-technical policy (MTP) is targeted at the establishment of a scientific, technological and production base for designing and developing Armament, Military and Special Equipment (AMSE). The article suggests a few methodological approaches to the improvement of MTP aimed at ensuring the neutralization of the dangers and threats to the state security, and to national defense capability. In each state the level, quality and choice of the directions in the military-technical policy are to a certain degree influenced by the position the state holds in the world and in the given region, its pretensions, interstate relations, its sci-tech and production engineering capabilities. Nowadays, the significance and impact of different types of uncertainties upon shaping the MTP of large and small states have drastically increased. This is first and foremost stipulated by the consequence that the unipolar model of global dominance gradually fades into the past. Hence, the reconstruction of the world community interaction pattern has its significant impact on the substantiation and selection of the development directions of the means of armed conflict. It is stipulated by largescale changes taking place in numerous spheres.
As for the small states’ activity in the direction of the military-technical policy designing and efficiency evaluation, it is noted that those two are connected with essential extra difficulties. That’s why it is necessary to: clearly identify the modern requirements of the armed struggle, the physico-geographical conditions of the given region, the complex of military and military-technical tasks, their correlation, the financial and economic capabilities of the state, etc. It is proposed that a state armament program be drafted with the account of limitations of allocated material, financial, time, human (intellectual) and other resources.
More importantly, the evaluation of the feasibility and effectiveness of the armament program should be carried out on the basis of the methodological provisions of the military-economic analysis, using the “time – costs – effectiveness” criterion. When applying this criterion, the combat efficiency of military formations, the economic efficiency of defense enterprises and the military-economic efficiency of weapon samples and systems should be comprehensively considered. In other words, it is not necessary to strive only for cost reduction, it is necessary to ensure an increase in combat capabilities per unit of cost, subject to the mandatory observance of time and other constraints.
A Review of AI in Precision Agriculture
Authors: Bhojak Renu , Kumar Pankaj , Kumari Sweta , Jameel Azlee
Published: November 2023

Horticulture accommodates the most fundamental necessities of mankind: food and fibre. The presentation of new cultivating methods in the previous hundred years (e.g., during the Green Upset) has helped farming stay up with developing requests for food and other horticultural items. Notwithstanding, further increments in food interest, a developing populace, and rising pay levels are probably going to overwhelm regular assets. With developing acknowledgment of the adverse consequences of agribusiness on the climate, new procedures and approaches ought to be capable tomeet future food requests diminishing the ecological impression of horticulture. Arising advancements, for example, geospatial innovations, Web of Things (IoT), Huge Information investigation, and man-made consciousness (simulated intelligence), could be used to make informed administration choices intended to increment crop creation. Accuracy farming (Dad) involves the use of a set-up of such innovations to streamline farming contributions to increment rural creation and lessen input misfortunes. Utilization of remote detecting advancements for Dad has expanded quickly during the beyond couple of many years. The exceptional accessibility of high goal (spatial, phantom and transient) satellite pictures has advanced the utilization of remote detecting in numerous Dad applications, including crop.
A Review on Solid Carbon Formation from CO2
Authors: Chouhan Jitendra Singh , Mishra Rishabh , Taneja Ankit Kumar , Sharma Rohit
Published: November 2023

The need to stop the emissions of greenhouse gases are needed more than ever now. Carbon emissions are one of the biggest contributing factors to the increasing global warming, pollution and climate change in the world. The Carbon emissions led to an increased amount of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere, and it gets trapped in the ozone layer, resulting in less protection from UV rays and Solar Radiation. This paper examines the method of Carbon capture and utilization, reducing anthropogenic emissions and providing us with the all- important, Carbon Fiber. Carbon Fiber, a very strong material known for its high tensile strength, low weight to strength ratio, low thermal expansion etc. which makes it an ideal material for the manufacturing industry. Traditionally, Carbon Fibers were manufactured using petroleum-based materials, but advancements in technology have made it feasible to produce carbon fibers from alternative carbon sources, including captured carbon dioxide (CO2).
How to make civil society inclusion in inter-state peace mediation meaningful: Lessons from the Minsk Negotiation Process 2014-2021
Authors: Kyselova Tetiana
Published: November 2023

This brief explores lessons from the inclusion of civil society at the negotiation table in the Minsk negotiation process in 2014-2021. By examining how the process was received by Ukrainian civil society and attempts to restart it after 2019, the brief shows that from its inception, the Minsk process was characterized by many dysfunctionalities, in particular regarding the question of who the conflict parties were. These dysfunctionalities in turn led to direct civil society inclusion at the negotiation table becoming an extension of the battlefield. Thus, the brief shows how direct civil society inclusion can be counterproductive in inter-state mediation efforts.
Freshwater Aquaculture in Kandhamal District - Prospects and Potentials
Authors: Sahoo B. , Panigrahi A. , Behera S. , Srichandan
Published: November 2023

Kandhamal district has an excellent potential for freshwater fish production. There are 1035 water bodies in the District, including G.P., private, and M.I.P. tanks, which cover an area of 649 .46 ha. The main fish species cultured in the district are I.M.C. (Rohu, Catla, Mrigal). The present article also provides block-wise production data for the Kandhamal district. In 2021, the District achieved the highest production of 1651.33 metric tonnes from 12 blocks. Khajuripda block had the highest production at 660.01 metric tonnes. Fish farmers in the Kandhamal district need more water bodies and departmental staff, insufficient training and awareness facilities, and a lack of fisheries inputs and marketing facilities. As fishery is such a small sector in Kandhamal, there is a pressing need to address all issues and make the most of all fish farming opportunities to increase fish production. This way, the district will eventually be able to meet its fish demand and export the product to other states and even outside the country.
Compostela, Bari y Jerusalén: tras las huellas de una cultura figurativa en los Caminos de Peregrinación
Authors: Castiñeiras González Manuel A.
Published: November 2023

El apogeo de las peregrinaciones a Santiago de Compostela desde finales del siglo XI coincide con la aparición del culto de san Nicolás en Bari y con el fenómeno de la Primera Cruzada. Compostela y Bari, en su condición de ciudades de llegada y partida de peregrinos, se convierten, asimismo, en centros privilegiados con la aparición de un nuevo estilo internacional: el Románico, que propone una nueva y revolucionaria cultura figurativa monumental caracterizada por los intercambios, en la que la dedicación de las capillas, las reliquias –cruces patriarcales–, los símbolos de peregrinación –la concha de Santiago–, o los sujetos iconográficos de la épica caballeresca se encuentran a lo largo de todos los Caminos, terrestres y marítimos, del Mediterráneo. De este modo, se desarrolla una peregrinación “circular” entre Compostela, Roma, Bari, Monte Sant’Angelo y Jerusalén, lo que supone una competencia entre los santuarios, en la que estos intentan ofrecer a los peregrinos una cultura figurativa adaptada a sus vicisitudes.
Inspections in Private Premises Under Slovak Competition Law: Did the Implementation of the ECN+ Directive Miss the Point?
Authors:   Institute of European Law, Faculty of Law, Comenius University in Bratislava, Patakyová Mária T. , Patakyová Mária ,   Faculty of Law, Comenius University in Bratislava
Published: November 2023

We face the era when tech giants are getting ever more powerful, when there are subtle ways of collusion via algorithms, and when home offices are the new normal. One would expect competition authorities to have suitable tools to investigate any infringement of competition law even under these difficult conditions. Inspections are arguably the most powerful investigatory tool within the realm of the powers of competition authorities. Although inspections are very often conducted in business premises, there might be a need to search private premises too. Regulation 1/2003 has recognised this need for almost two decades. The ECN+ Directive expects national competition law to provide their competition authorities with the power to inspect non-business premises. How was this provision transposed into the Slovak legal order? What obstacles would the Slovak Antimonopoly Office (Slovak NCA) face if it wanted to conduct an inspection on private premises? These are the questions asked in this article. The article finds that, although the legislation itself seems in compliance with the ECN+ Directive, any attempt to conduct an inspection on private premises would be difficult. Particularly, we look into shortcomings related to the institution of the guardian who should be present during an inspection; and we present solutions de lege ferenda.
Formulating Questions is the ‘Answer’ for both Learning and Discovery: Probing a New Model for Education
Authors: Martins Vanessa , Logan Robert K.
Published: November 2023

We describe the importance of exploration and formulating questions to be explored ratherthan studying the answers of the past as a way to reform education based on ideas first formulated byMarshall McLuhan.
Semiotics from a Media Ecology Point of View and McLuhan’s Notion that “The Medium is the Message”: A Probe
Authors: Logan Robert K.
Published: November 2023

Semiotics and media ecology are compared and an attempt is made to reconcile semiotics and media ecology and translate the terminology of semiotics into that of media ecology and vice versa that of media ecology into semiotics. An attempt is also made to create a bridge between these two closely related studies of communication to create a hybrid study of the media ecology of semiotics and the semiotics of media ecology.
Phosphorylation, disorder, and phase separation govern the behavior of Frequency in the fungal circadian clock
Authors: Tariq Daniyal , Maurici Nicole , Bartholomai Bradley M , Chandrasekaran Siddarth , Dunlap Jay C , Bah Alaji , Crane Brian R
Published: November 2023

Circadian clocks are composed of transcription-translation negative feedback loops that pace rhythms of gene expression to the diurnal cycle. In the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa, the proteins Frequency (FRQ), the FRQ-interacting RNA helicase (FRH), and Casein-Kinase I (CK1) form the FFC complex that represses expression of genes activated by the white-collar complex (WCC). FRQ orchestrates key molecular interactions of the clock despite containing little predicted tertiary structure. Spin labeling and pulse-dipolar electron spin resonance spectroscopy provide domain-specific structural insights into the 989-residue intrinsically disordered FRQ and the FFC. FRQ contains a compact core that associates and organizes FRH and CK1 to coordinate their roles in WCC repression. FRQ phosphorylation increases conformational flexibility and alters oligomeric state, but the changes in structure and dynamics are non-uniform. Full-length FRQ undergoes liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) to sequester FRH and CK1 and influence CK1 enzymatic activity. Although FRQ phosphorylation favors LLPS, LLPS feeds back to reduce FRQ phosphorylation by CK1 at higher temperatures. Live imaging of Neurospora hyphae reveals FRQ foci characteristic of condensates near the nuclear periphery. Analogous clock repressor proteins in higher organisms share little position-specific sequence identity with FRQ; yet, they contain amino acid compositions that promote LLPS. Hence, condensate formation may be a conserved feature of eukaryotic clocks.
A novel imaging method (FIM-ID) reveals that myofibrillogenesis plays a major role in the mechanically induced growth of skeletal muscle
Authors: Jorgenson Kent W , Hibbert Jamie E , Sayed Ramy KA , Lange Anthony N , Godwin Joshua S , Mesquita Paulo HC , Ruple Bradley A , McIntosh Mason C , Kavazis Andreas N , Roberts Michael D , Hornberger Troy A
Published: November 2023

An increase in mechanical loading, such as that which occurs during resistance exercise, induces radial growth of muscle fibers (i.e. an increase in cross-sectional area). Muscle fibers are largely composed of myofibrils, but whether radial growth is mediated by an increase in the size of the myofibrils (i.e. myofibril hypertrophy) and/or the number of myofibrils (i.e. myofibrillogenesis) is not known. Electron microscopy (EM) can provide images with the level of resolution that is needed to address this question, but the acquisition and subsequent analysis of EM images is a time- and cost-intensive process. To overcome this, we developed a novel method for visualizing myofibrils with a standard fluorescence microscope (fluorescence imaging of myofibrils with image deconvolution [FIM-ID]). Images from FIM-ID have a high degree of resolution and contrast, and these properties enabled us to develop pipelines for automated measurements of myofibril size and number. After extensively validating the automated measurements, we used both mouse and human models of increased mechanical loading to discover that the radial growth of muscle fibers is largely mediated by myofibrillogenesis. Collectively, the outcomes of this study offer insight into a fundamentally important topic in the field of muscle growth and provide future investigators with a time- and cost-effective means to study it.
Geographic range size and species morphology determines the organization of sponge host-guest interaction networks across tropical coral reefs
Authors: Pérez-Botello Antar Mijail , Dáttilo Wesley , Simões Nuno
Published: November 2023

Sponges are widely spread organisms in the tropical reefs of the American Northwest-Atlantic Ocean, they structure ecosystems and provide services such as shelter, protection from predators, and food sources to a wide diversity of both vertebrates and invertebrates species. The high diversity of sponge-associated fauna can generate complex networks of species interactions over small and large spatial-temporal gradients. One way to start uncovering the organization of the sponge host-guest complex networks is to understand how the accumulated geographic area, the sponge morphology and, sponge taxonomy contributes to the connectivity of sponge species within such networks. This study is a meta-analysis based on previous sponge host-guest literature obtained in 65 scientific publications, yielding a total of 745 host-guest interactions between sponges and their associated fauna across the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. We analyzed the sponge species contribution to network organization in the Northwest Tropical Atlantic coral reefs by using the combination of seven complementary species-level descriptors and related this importance with three main traits, sponge-accumulated geographic area, functional sponge morphology, and sponges’ taxonomy bias. In general, we observed that sponges with a widespread distribution and a higher accumulated geographic area had a greater network structural contribution. Similarly, we also found that Cup-like and Massive functional morphologies trend to be shapes with a greater contribution to the interaction network organization compared to the Erect and Crust-like morphos. Lastly, we did not detect a taxonomy bias between interaction network organization and sponges’ orders. These results highlight the importance of a specific combination of sponge traits to promote the diversity of association between reef sponges and their guest species.
Development of a 5-mRNAsi-related gene signature to predict the prognosis of colon adenocarcinoma
Authors: Huang Haifu , Lu Lin , Li Yaoxuan , Chen Xiumei , Li Meng , Yang Meiling , Huang Xuewu
Published: November 2023

Aim

To create a prognosis model based on mRNA-based stem index (mRNAsi) for evaluating the prognostic outcomes of colon adenocarcinoma (COAD).

Background

Generation of heterogeneous COAD cells could be promoted by the self-renewal and differentiation potential of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Biomarkers contributing to the development of COAD stem cells remained to be discovered.

Objective

To develop and validate an mRNAsi-based risk model for estimating the prognostic outcomes of patients suffering from COAD.

Methods

Samples were collected from Rectal Adenocarcinoma (TCGA-READ) PanCancer Atlas datasets, The Cancer Genome Atlas Colon Adenocarcinoma (TCGA-COAD), and the GSE87211 dataset. MRNAsi was calculated by one-class logistic regression (OCLR) algorithm. Under the criterion of correlation greater than 0.4, genes related to mRNAsi were screened and clustered. Meanwhile, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between molecular subtypes were identified to establish a risk model. According to the median risk score value for immunotherapy and results from immune cell infiltration and clinicopathological analyses, clusters and patients were divided into high-RiskScore and low-RiskScore groups. Cell apoptosis and viability were detected by flow cytometer and Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, respectively.

Results

A negative correlation between mRNAsi and clinical stages was observed. Three clusters of patients (C1, C2, and C3) were defined based on a total of 165 survival-related mRNAsi genes. Specifically, C1 patients had greater immune cell infiltration and a poorer prognosis. A 5-mRNAsi-gene signature (HEYL, FSTL3, FABP4, ADAM8, and EBF4) served as a prediction index for COAD prognosis. High-RiskScore patients had a poorer prognosis and higher level of immune cell infiltration. In addition, the five genes in the signature all showed a high expression in COAD cells. Knocking down HEYL promoted COAD cell apoptosis and inhibited viability.

Conclusion

Our mRNAsi risk model could better predict the prognosis of COAD patients.
Analysis of High Temperature Oxidation Characteristic of Chrome-Plated, Nickel-Plated and Non-Plated Mild Steels
Authors: Alemayehu Atalay , Beyene Eaba , Batu Temesgen , Tirfe Dagim
Published: November 2023

Metals are the best engineering materials owing to their superior conductivity, mechanical properties, and formability. However, they can be highly affected by environmental elements like oxygen, chlorine, etc. This reaction of metals with the environmental elements will indeed alter their electrical, chemical, and mechanical properties. To protect against corrosion, various protection methods such as electroplating have been established. The presence of anodic or cathodic films on the substrate surface protects steel from corrosion damage at ambient atmospheric temperature. This work focuses on the effect of temperature on the oxidative (corrosion) rate of non-plated, nickel-plated, and chrome-plated ASTM A283GC mild steel samples. A temperature range of 200–800 °C and a total heating time of 120 min were considered in this experiment. A temperature-regulated muffle furnace with a maximum heating capacity of 1000 °C has been used. Weight changes were determined every 30 minutes of heating using a digital weight balance with a precision of 0.001 g. The obtained experimental results of non-plated, nickel-plated, and chrome-plated mild steel samples were analyzed and compared with each other. The effect of oxidation on the surface hardness has also been studied with the help of a Vickers hardness testing machine. Changes in the physical nature of the samples caused by oxidation were also observed and pictured using a camera.
Profile and Constraints Faced by the Beneficiaries of Seed Village Programme on Soybean Crop
Authors: More Varsha , Dubey M. K. , Nagar Ashish Kumar , Kushwaha Neha , Paradkar Sarita
Published: November 2023

The study was conducted in Betul district of Bhainsdehi blocks M.P. The seed village programme was launched in the Betul district since 2007-08 by the department of farmer welfare and agriculture development govt. of M.P.  Thus, 120 respondents were selected to constitute the sample of the study. The study revealed that the majority of beneficiaries 56.67% belonged to middle age group, 30.83% educated upto middle school, 58.33% beneficiaries belongs to Scheduled caste, 55.83% had medium family size, 46.67% had low social participation, 60.83% beneficiaries were engaged in Agriculture + Labour as an occupation, 29.17% of the beneficiaries were having small size of land holding, 45.83% of the beneficiaries were having medium annual income, 77.5% per cent of beneficiaries were having 0.2 ha area under seed programme, 37.50% of beneficiaries had medium market orientation, 45.00% of beneficiaries had low production increment (up to 2 q./ha.) in production of quality seed, 41.67% of beneficiaries were using JS.95-60 Variety for Varietal replacement, percentages 43.34% of the beneficiaries were having high economic motivation, 46.67% of the beneficiaries had medium aspiration level, 41.66% of beneficiaries were having low mass media exposure, 52.50% of beneficiaries had medium participation in extension activities, 49.17% of beneficiaries were having medium Seed Replacement Rate. Major constraints faced by the farmers were inadequate supply of seed, Lack of regular guidance and training programme, Lack of extension services, lack of storage facilities, Lack of knowledge about seed production, Lack of storage facility, Lack of sufficient finance for Programme, Lack of information about loan and subsidy etc.
Bio-Efficacy of Post Emergent Herbicides on Weeds in Direct Seeded Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Bindushree K. , Ramesha Y. M. , Siddaram  , Krishnamurthy D. , Naik M. Chandra
Published: November 2023

A field experiment was conducted to study the bio-efficacy of post emergent herbicides on weeds in direct seeded rice in medium black clay soil at Agricultural Research Station, Dhadesugur, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka during Kharif 2022. The experiment was laid out in Randomized complete block design with three replications. There were eight treatments consisting of five post emergent herbicides sprayed at 25 DAS, hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAS, weed free check and weedy check in direct seeded rice and the variety RNR 15048 was used in this trial. Application of cyhalofop butyl 5.1 % + penoxsulam 1.02 % OD @ 2000 ml ha-1 recorded significantly lower weed density, weed dry weight, weed index and higher weed control efficiency compared to all the other treatments. It also produced higher number of productive tillers (409.4 m-2), panicle weight (3.89 g), filled grains per panicle (243.1), lower number of unfilled grains per panicle (8.4), higher grain yield (6058 kg ha-1) and straw yield (6935 kg ha-1) in direct seeded rice. So it can be concluded that application of cyhalofop butyl 5.1 % + penoxsulam 1.02 % OD @ 2000 ml ha-1 at 25 DAS (weeds at 2-3 leaf stage) was most effective in managing the weeds with higher weed control efficiency. It also resulted in higher growth and yield components of direct seeded rice leading to higher grain yield.
Assessing Livelihood Coping Strategies Adopted by Small and Marginal Farmers of Climate-Vulnerable Assam State of India
Authors: Phukan Pallabi , Barman U. , Saikia H. , Baruah S. , Deka N.
Published: November 2023

This study examined the livelihood diversifications of small and marginal farmers' households and determinants of livelihood diversification of Assam state of India under climate-vulnerable situations. A sample of 300 marginal and small rural households was obtained from three highly flood-affected districts. The sampling plan adopted some flexibility as the data collection process coincided with the late part of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire. The data were analysed using descriptive statistical tools, the non-parametric chi-square test, and the Simpson Diversification Index. The study indicates that most respondents tried diversifying their livelihood strategies for economic improvement. However, no dominant livelihood strategies were found among the adopted portfolios. Many respondents preferred livestock as a portfolio for livelihood diversification. The study found that respondents with a higher formal education or job card holders under the MGNREG-Act were identified as positive determinants for livelihood diversification. The study proposes increasing the allocation of Job Cards under the MGNREG-Act, given that Job Cards enable cash in hands or establish a consistent provision of substantial cash through different farming programmes. The study also emphasises the introduction of suitable livestock-based livelihood diversification.
Performance of Climate Smart Rice Varieties in Dibrugarh District of Assam, India
Authors: Thakuria Chayanika , Sharmah D.
Published: November 2023

The trail was carried out through on farm testing in two selected villages of Dibrugarh district by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dibrugarh, Assam during kharif season of 2022 with an objective to evaluate the performance of two climate smart rice varieties viz. CR Dhan 801 and CR Dhan 802, submergence and drought tolerance ability with the recommended submergence tolerant rice variety, Ranjit sub 1. It is a fact that Assam is the most flood prone state in India and sometimes drought like situation also occurs in the state. Results revealed that both the varieties viz. CR Dhan 801 and CR Dhan 802 performed more or less similar but slightly higher than the submergence tolerant rice variety, Ranjit sub 1 in respect of growth, yield attributing characters, yield and economic point of view. Considering the results, along with rice variety, Ranjit sub 1 the climate smart rice varieties viz. CR Dhan 801 and CR Dhan 802 may be cultivated in Dibrugarh district of Assam.