bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
20 år efter 11. september er der mere terrorisme end nogensinde før – dog ikke i Vesten
Authors: Andersen Lars Erslev
Published: April 2024

11. september 2021 var det præcis 20 år siden, at to fly smadrede World Trade Center, et fly blev styret ned i det amerikanske forsvarsministerium Pentagon og et fjerde, der var tiltænkt et ukendt mål, styrtede ned på en mark. Verden fulgte vantro med på TV-skærme, næsten 3.000 blev dræbt og krigen mod terror blev indledt af USA umiddelbart efter. Hvordan er det så gået med den ’krig mod terror’, USA indledte sammen med sine alliancepartnere, herunder Danmark?
Teknologi er som mønter. De har både en forside og en bagside
Authors: Meyhoff Peder
Published: April 2024

Peder Meyhoff beskriver i denne RADAR-artikel, at teknologi er som mønter. De har både en forside og en bagside. Forsiden er altid nem at se, men bagsiden kan være svær at få øje på. Nogle gange opdager vi den først, når der er sket store skader.
Reconceptualizing educational interpreting: A case study in US K–12 classrooms
Authors: Zuo Xinyue , Mazzei Cristiano , Ives Denise
Published: April 2024

In response to students’ right to education, interpreting services have been provided to a subset of English language learners (ELLs) in the United States to make educational opportunities accessible to them. This qualitative case study delves into the nature of the interpreting services, focusing on exploring the varied responsibilities undertaken by interpreters in K–12 classrooms within a Northeastern US public school district. Data were collected through interviews and documentation and analyzed thematically combined with the constant comparative technique. The study reveals that the ELLs the interpreters worked with had diverse backgrounds, including learners with interrupted education, potential learning disabilities, and varying academic foundations. Though the interpreters were initially required to interpret instruction to make the curriculum accessible, in practice they often extended their roles to serve as instructional aides, advocates, and social-emotional guides. This expansion partly stemmed from the inherent interplay between content and language learning in educational settings and was partly driven by the interpreters’ shared experiences and empathy for ELLs. The study advocates for a reconceptualization of interpreters’ roles and responsibilities and providing expanded training programs that reflect interpreters’ everyday practices. Furthermore, it calls for a shift toward culturally responsive interpreting that acknowledges the multilingual and multicultural nature of educational settings.
“Not everyday business.” A caseworker perspective on interpreter provision for deaf refugees and cooperation with interpreters
Authors: Pöllabauer Sonja
Published: April 2024

This contribution discusses the communication needs of deaf asylum applicants from the viewpoint of asylum interviewers (caseworkers). The study is based on 13 qualitative interviews with Austrian caseworkers in late 2020, which sought to explore how caseworkers perceive asylum claims involving deaf applicants and how they approach finding and engaging with interpreters in such cases. The results show that both finding interpreters and interviewing deaf applicants are perceived as challenging. Due to lack of knowledge about deaf people’s communicative needs and lack of expertise in working with signed languages (SL) and Deaf or signed language interpreters (SLI), caseworkers trust in the expertise of interpreters and representatives of deaf associations and cooperate with them to determine a suitable arrangement for the interview situation and finding interpreters. There are no institutionalised support structures in place, so caseworkers rely on their subjective perceptions and intuitive ad hoc solutions and feedback from the interpreters. The study also suggests a need for awareness-raising regarding the needs of deaf applicants and the context-inherent risks of perpetuating an ableist perspective, as well as the need for interprofessional training among caseworkers and interpreters.
Interpreting for vulnerable populations: Tracing the role of interpreters in contexts of vulnerability
Authors: Ruiz Rosendo Lucia , Martin Conor
Published: April 2024

This contribution serves as the introductory framework for the articles featured in the special issue of Just. Journal of Language Rights and Minorities, Revista de Drets Lingüístics i Minories exploring interpreting for vulnerable populations. Noting the increasing interest in the role of interpreters who work with populations experiencing varying degrees of vulnerability in different settings, this introduction starts by examining some nuanced definitions and causes of vulnerability and the ways in which we are vulnerable to others. The guest editors then focus on language as an important element which can engender vulnerability and consider how interpreters play a pivotal role in mitigating this vulnerability when facilitating access to communication. They discuss how the articles in this special issue address the notion of vulnerability and the complex role of interpreters who work for specific categories of vulnerable populations in different institutional and geographical contexts. The articles describe the elements that interpreters must navigate when managing these challenging situations characterised by high stakes for the vulnerable person and often (highly) asymmetrical power dynamics and dependency.
Desenvolvimento de metodologias e estratégias ativas de ensino com tic na formação de professores para o Ensino Superior
Authors: Cardoso Otávio Augusto de Oliveira , Mercado Luis Paulo Leopoldo
Published: April 2024

Este artigo apresenta os resultados de uma pesquisa de cunho qualitativo que investigou a utilização de metodologias e estratégias ativas com uso de tecnologias da informação e comunicação (TIC) no ensino superior, com base em duas categorias de análise: contribuições para a prática docente e possibilidades vislumbradas com o uso das TIC. A abordagem utilizada envolveu estudo de caso no componente curricular Metodologias do Ensino Superior com TIC (MESTIC), desenvolvida no Mestrado e Doutorado em Educação na Universidade Federal de Alagoas (UFAL). Os resultados alcançados indicam que o componente curricular ampliou as experiências com práticas docentes, vinculada a utilização das TIC para a formação dos estudantes. Outro resultado foi a ampliação de possibilidades virtuais para o exercício da docência como forma de ressignificar metodologias e estratégias educacionais e a aquisição de recursos tecnológicos para desenvolvimento do trabalho docente.
A criatividade na performance pedagógica do tutor
Authors: Schraiber Rogério Tubias , Mallmann Elena Maria
Published: April 2024

Inserido no contexto da Educação a Distância, este estudo aborda o tema da criatividade na performance pedagógica de um grupo de tutores de cursos de pós-graduação, em nível de Especialização, da Universidade Aberta do Brasil. Em relação ao problema de pesquisa, questiona-se como o tutor potencializa o desenvolvimento de um processo ensino-aprendizagem criativo. Como objetivo, buscou- se compreender quais são os princípios da performance pedagógica do tutor que potencializam o ensino-aprendizagem de modo que seja criativo. O referencial teórico deste estudo está embasado nos componentes da criatividade, propostos por Nikerson, Perkins e Smith (1997), nos Estudos da Performance, em relação aos termos da realização da performance, apresentados por Schechner (2006), e no conceito de performance docente, desenvolvido por Malmann (2008). Em termos metodológicos, desenvolveu-se um estudo de caso com abordagem qualitativa, cujo montante de dados foi analisado mediante as etapas da unitarização, da categorização e do novo emergente, pertencentes à Análise Textual Discursiva, de Moraes e Galiazzi (2016). Como resultado, obteve-se cinco categorias de pesquisa, das quais este artigo destaca a da criatividade. Conclui-se que a criatividade é um princípio potencializador do ensino-aprendizagem criativo pelo fato de representar o desenvolvimento de ações e estratégias pedagógicas que caracterizam a performance do tutor como invenção pedagógica.
Aspectos das culturas escolares da escola primária em Brasília nas colunas de Yvonne Jean (1962-1964)
Authors: Dos Anjos Juarez José Tuchinski
Published: April 2024

O artigo, de caráter historiográfico, tem por objetivo investigar alguns aspectos das culturas escolares da escola primária em Brasília entre os anos de 1962 e 1964, tomando por fontes os textos publicados pela jornalista Yvonne Jean no jornal Correio Braziliense. Em termos metodológicos, foram lidas as colunas assinadas por ela ao longo dos anos 1960, selecionando-se aquelas que faziam referência às culturas escolares nas escolas primárias de Brasília. Com base nessa seleção, formou-se um banco de dados temático dentro do qual, em função dos limites deste artigo, são destacados dois aspectos das culturas escolares: a formação docente e os clubes escolares. No que toca à formação de professores, observou-se que nos primeiros anos de funcionamento do sistema de ensino de Brasília, o governo do Distrito Federal, por meio de sua Fundação Educacional e servindo-se de parcerias celebradas pelo INEP com órgãos internacionais, ofereceu à suas docentes primárias, ao menos, duas oportunidades formativas: o curso do projeto número 1 da UNESCO e os cursos do PABAEE. Já os clubes escolares constituíram-se, naqueles momentos fundantes da escola primária em Brasília, em táticas adotadas por professoras e alunos para atingirem uma das finalidades da estratégia representada pela proposta de Anísio Teixeira para o ensino da capital: a socialização dos educandos. Por fim, ao enfocar esses aspectos das culturas escolares em suas colunas, a jornalista Yvonne Jean ajudava a dar visibilidade, para seus leitores, das iniciativas que se vinham tomando para a materialização do projeto educativo pensado para a nova capital.
Formação de professores e docência no ensino superior
Authors: Cartaxo Simone Regina Manosso
Published: April 2024

Este artigo tem como objetivo relacionar elementos da biografia e da produção da pesquisadora Maria Isabel Cunha, da Universidade Federal de Pelotas – UFPel com suas considerações sobre a formação de professores, a fim de levantar contribuições de sua trajetória intelectual e profissional para a formação de professores e de professoras. Parte-se da realização de entrevista com a pesquisadora e pesquisa bibliográfica (SALVADOR, 1978; BARDIN, 1977; LIMA; MIOTO, 2007) sobre sua produção intelectual. Da entrevista e da análise emergem temas principais para o campo da formação de professores: a humanização; o ensino; os saberes da prática; a profissionalização. A síntese final integra o aspecto da intelectualidade na trajetória da pesquisadora.
COMPARING CALCULATED VALUES OF ELECTRON MEAN ENERGY OBTAINED THROUGH DIFFERENT SETS OF CROSS SECTIONS FOR e-/Ar INTERACTION
Authors: Kuzmanović Danijela , Dupljanin Snježana
Published: April 2024

The paper presents analysis of existing data on cross sections for electrons scattering on Argon atoms, using the LXCat database. We compared results acquired by different groups of researchers, i.e. different databases: Hayashi, Triniti, Morgan and BSR bases. Using Bolsig+ code, values of mean energy of electrons’ swarm were calculated and compliance analysis of calculated values for different considered sets of cross sections as entry parameters was performed.
PRILOG POZNAVANJU BIOLOŠKE RAZNOVRSNOSTI JEZERAČKE RIJEKE (REPUBLIKA SRPSKA, BOSNA I HERCEGOVINA)
Authors: Golub Dragojla , Dekić Radoslav , Lolić Svjetlana , Dmitrović Dejan , Lubarda Biljana
Published: April 2024

Tokom 2020. godine izvršena su istraživanja fizičkih, hemijskih i bioloških parametara Jezeračke rijeke. S obzirom na to da je ovaj vodotok u planskim dokumentima Republike Srpske prepoznat i predviđen za zaštitu kao prirodno mrijestilište potočne pastrmke, cilj ovog rada bio je da se utvrde ekološke i biološke karakteristike vode, ali i okolnog područja. U sklopu bioloških istraživanja urađene su mikrobiološke analize, analize fitobentosa, perifitona, makrozoobentosa, ihtiofaune i flore, primjenom standardnih metoda. Vrijednosti svih analiziranih fizičko-hemijskih, kao i sanitarno-mikrobioloških parametara ukazivale su na I klasu kvaliteta vode Jezeračke rijeke. Rezultati dobijeni na osnovu kvalitativnog i kvantitativnog sastava zajednice fitobentosa, perifitona, makrozoobentosa i ihtiofaune, ukazuju na to da voda Jezeračke rijeke ima visok ekološki status i odgovara I klasi kvaliteta. Očuvanost autohotne flore i vegetacije u priobalnom dijelu pogoduje očuvanju kvaliteta vode. Ovakvi rezultati pokazuju da su biološki i ekološki uslovi ovog vodotoka pogodni za život i mrijest potočne pastrmke i da u tom smislu gornji tok Jezeračke rijeke ima sve preduslove da kao prirodno mrijestilište ima ulogu u očuvanju i unapređenju populacija ove vrste i na širem području.
Whole blood transcriptional profiles and the pathogenesis of tuberculous meningitis
Authors: Hai Hoang Thanh , Nhat Le Thanh Hoang , Tram Trinh Thi Bich , Vinh Do Dinh , Nath Artika P , Donovan Joseph , Thu Nguyen Thi Anh , Van Thanh Dang , Bang Nguyen Duc , Ha Dang Thi Minh , Phu Nguyen Hoan , Nghia Ho Dang Trung , Van Le Hong , Inouye Michael , Thwaites Guy E , Thuong Nguyen Thuy Thuong
Published: April 2024

Mortality and morbidity from tuberculous meningitis (TBM) are frequent and strongly associated with the inflammatory response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. However, the mechanisms driving the associations are uncertain. We sought to identify the gene modules, hubs and pathways associated with the pathogenesis and mortality from TBM, and to identify which best-predicted death.We used whole blood RNA sequencing to obtain transcriptional profiles from 281 Vietnamese adults with TBM (207 HIV-negative; 74 HIV-positive), 295 with pulmonary TB (PTB), and 30 healthy controls. The TBM cohort was divided randomly into a discovery cohort (n=142) and a validation cohort (n=139). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified clusters of genes (or ‘modules’) and hub genes associated with death or disease severity. An overrepresentation analysis identified pathways associated with TBM mortality, with a consensus analysis identifying consensual patterns between HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals. A multivariate elastic-net Cox regression model selected the candidate predictors of TBM mortality, then model prediction performance using logistic regression and internal bootstrap validation to choose best predictors.Overall, TBM mortality was associated with increased neutrophil activation and decreased T and B cell activation pathways. Death from TBM was associated with increased angiogenesis in HIV-positive adults, and with activated TNF signaling and down-regulated extracellular matrix organization in HIV-negative adults. PTB and TBM have similar transcriptional profiles compared to healthy controls, although inflammatory genes were more activated in HIV-positive than HIV-negative TBM. The expression of four hub genes – MCEMP1 , NELL2 , ZNF354C and CD4 – were strongly predictive of death from TBM (AUC 0.80 and 0.86 for HIV-negative and HIV-positive, respectively).Whole blood transcriptional profiling revealed that TBM is associated with a characteristic systemic inflammatory response, similar to that invoked by pulmonary tuberculosis, but with key gene modules, hubs and pathways strongly associated with death. Our analysis suggests a novel 4-gene biomarker for predicting death from TBM, but also opens a new window into TBM pathogenesis that may reveal novel therapeutic targets for this lethal disease.
Redox Regulation of Brain Selective Kinases BRSK1/2: Implications for Dynamic Control of the Eukaryotic AMPK family through Cys-based mechanisms
Authors: Bendzunas George N. , Byrne Dominic P , Shrestha Safal , Daly Leonard A , Oswald Sally O. , Katiyar Samiksha , Venkat Aarya , Yeung Wayland , Eyers Claire E , Eyers Patrick A , Kannan Natarajan
Published: April 2024

In eukaryotes, protein kinase signaling is regulated by a diverse array of post-translational modifications (PTMs), including phosphorylation of Ser/Thr residues and oxidation of cysteine (Cys) residues. While regulation by activation segment phosphorylation of Ser/Thr residues is well understood, relatively little is known about how oxidation of cysteine residues modulate catalysis. In this study, we investigate redox regulation of the AMPK-related Brain-selective kinases (BRSK) 1 and 2, and detail how broad catalytic activity is directly regulated through reversible oxidation and reduction of evolutionarily conserved Cys residues within the catalytic domain. We show that redox-dependent control of BRSKs is a dynamic and multilayered process involving oxidative modifications of several Cys residues, including the formation of intra-molecular disulfide bonds involving a pair of Cys residues near the catalytic HRD motif and a highly conserved T-Loop Cys with a BRSK-specific Cys within an unusual CPE motif at the end of the activation segment. Consistently, mutation of the CPE-Cys increases catalytic activity
in vitro
and drives phosphorylation of the BRSK substrate Tau in cells. Molecular modeling and molecular dynamics simulations indicate that oxidation of the CPE-Cys destabilizes a conserved salt bridge network critical for allosteric activation. The occurrence of spatially proximal Cys amino acids in diverse Ser/Thr protein kinase families suggests that disulfide mediated control of catalytic activity may be a prevalent mechanism for regulation within the broader AMPK family.
De novo-designed minibinders expand the synthetic biology sensing repertoire
Authors: Weinberg Zara Y , Soliman Sarah S , Kim Matthew S , Shah Devan H , Chen Irene P , Ott Melanie , Lim Wendell A , El-Samad Hana
Published: April 2024

Synthetic and chimeric receptors capable of recognizing and responding to user-defined antigens have enabled “smart” therapeutics based on engineered cells. These cell engineering tools depend on antigen sensors which are most often derived from antibodies. Advances in the
de novo
design of proteins have enabled the design of protein binders with the potential to target epitopes with unique properties and faster production timelines compared to antibodies. Building upon our previous work combining a
de novo
-designed minibinder of the Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 with the synthetic receptor synNotch (SARSNotch), we investigated whether minibinders can be readily adapted to a diversity of cell engineering tools. We show that the Spike minibinder LCB1 easily generalizes to a next-generation proteolytic receptor SNIPR that performs similarly to our previously reported SARSNotch. LCB1-SNIPR successfully enables the detection of live SARS-CoV-2, an improvement over SARSNotch which can only detect cell-expressed Spike. To test the generalizability of minibinders to diverse applications, we tested LCB1 as an antigen sensor for a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). LCB1-CAR enabled CD8+ T cells to cytotoxically target Spike-expressing cells. We further demonstrate that two other minibinders directed against the clinically relevant epidermal growth factor receptor are able to drive CAR-dependent cytotoxicity with efficacy similar to or better than an existing antibody-based CAR. Our findings suggest that minibinders represent a novel class of antigen sensors that have the potential to dramatically expand the sensing repertoire of cell engineering tools.
Merging Multi-OMICs with Proteome Integral Solubility Alteration Unveils Antibiotic Mode of Action
Authors: Maity Ritwik , Zhang Xuepei , Liberati Francesca Romana , Rossi Chiara Scribani , Cutruzzolà Francesca , Rinaldo Serena , Gaetani Massimiliano , Aínsa José Antonio , Sancho Javier
Published: April 2024

Antimicrobial resistance is responsible for an alarming number of deaths, estimated at 5 million per year. To combat priority pathogens, like Helicobacter pylori, the development of novel therapies is of utmost importance. Understanding the molecular alterations induced by medications is critical for the design of multi-targeting treatments capable of eradicating the infection and mitigating its pathogenicity. However, the application of bulk omics approaches for unraveling drug molecular mechanisms of action is limited by their inability to discriminate between target-specific modifications and off-target effects. This study introduces a multi-omics method to overcome the existing limitation. For the first time, the PISA assay is utilized in bacteria in the PISA-express format to link proteome solubility with different and potentially immediate responses to drug treatment, enabling us the resolution to understand target-specific modifications and off-target effects. This study introduces a comprehensive method for understanding drug mechanisms and optimizing the development of multi-targeting antimicrobial therapies.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rev7 regulates DSB repair pathway choice through binding and blocking Mre11 nuclease and Rad50 ATPase activities
Authors: Badugu Sugith , Dhyani Kshitiza M. , Thakur Manoj , Muniyappa Kalappa
Published: April 2024

Recent studies in cancer cell lines have shown that the tetrameric Shieldin complex (comprising REV7, SHLD1, SHLD2, and SHLD3) facilitates non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ), while blocking homologous recombination (HR). Surprisingly, several eukaryotic species lack SHLD1, SHLD2 and SHLD3 orthologs, suggesting that Rev7 may leverage an alternative mechanism to regulate the double-strand break (DSB) repair pathway choice. Exploring this hypothesis, we discovered that
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Rev7 robustly interacts with the Mre11-Rad50-Xrs2 (MRX) subunits, impedes G-quadruplex DNA synergised, HU-induced toxicity and facilitates NHEJ, while antagonizing HR. We identified a 42-aminoacid C-terminal fragment of Rev7 that was critical for its binding to the subunits of MRX complex, protect
rev7Δ
cells from G-quadruplex DNA-HU-induced toxicity and promote NHEJ by inhibiting HR, whereas the N-terminal HORMA domain, a conserved protein–protein interaction module, was dispensable. We further demonstrate that the full-length Rev7 impedes Mre11 nuclease and Rad50’s ATPase activities, without affecting the latter’s ATP-binding ability. Notably, we found that Rev7 binds with high affinity and specificity to G-quadruplex structures, as opposed to no binding to mixed-sequence single- and double-stranded DNA. These data uncover unanticipated insights into the functional interaction between the MRX subunits and Rev7, and highlight a mechanism by which it regulates the DSB repair pathway choice between HR and NHEJ in
S. cerevisiae
.
Mixed Methods Designs: vitenskapsteoretiske posisjoner – muligheter og utfordringer
Authors: Røykenes Kari , Drageset Sigrunn
Published: April 2024

Målet med essayet er å drøfte vitenskapsteoretiske posisjoner og hvilke implikasjoner disse har for å anvende mixed methods design. Det finnes ulike måter å kombinere kvalitative og kvantitative metoder, en av dem kalles sekvensiell design, et design forfatterne av essayet har erfaring med. Essayet vil gi leseren en innføring i mixed methods, før den drøfter muligheter og utfordringer. Til slutt beskrives kort muligheter og utfordringer forfatterne erfarte ved å anvende sekvensielt design i egne studier.
Helseskaping og helserisiko i skulekvardagen
Authors: Søfteland Marta Olsen , Thørrisen Mikkel Magnus , Aas Randi Wågø
Published: April 2024

Målet med studien var å gje auka innsikt i helseutfordringar hjå barn og unge, samt i skulens og skulehelsetenestas rolle, sett frå elev-, lærar- og skuleleiarperspektiv. Fire fokusgruppeintervju med ungdomsskuleelevar, lærarar og leiing (N = 26) vart utført ved ein stor skule i Sør-Noreg. Data vart analysert med kvalitativ innhaldsanalyse. Tre tema og ni subtema vart identifisert. Desse avdekka to paradoks: (i) elevane sine helseutfordringar vart opplevd som komplekse, mens skulehelsetenesta var lite tverrfagleg og lite tilgjengeleg, og (ii) skulekvardagen vart erfart å påverka elevane si helse, men det mangla helsekompetanse i skulen (blant elevar, lærarar og leiing). Studien peikar på at skulen har eit potensiale for å vera ein helseskapande arena, og at samskapingsprosessar som involverer elevar, lærarar, leiing og ei  skulehelseteneste med tverrfaglege team vil kunne bidra til meir autonomistøttande, prososiale og helsefremjande skulemiljø
Motivators and Barriers for Physical Activity among School-going Students in Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, India: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Sampath Srinivasarengan Kamala , Singaram Padmasundari , Kosalram Kalpana
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Participating in physical activity is crucial for the holistic development and well-being of children and adolescents. Research has shown that physical activity enhances metabolic, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, psychosocial, and cognitive health. Among children and adolescents, it also improves cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, and consistent engagement leads to reduced adiposity in overweight individuals. Aim: To explore the motivators and barriers to physical activity among adolescents. Materials and Methods: The study employs a qualitative phenomenological approach, utilising the Colaizzi method for data analysis. A total of 15 participants were selected via purposive sampling, and in-depth interviews were conducted from March to July 2023 in the Chengalpattu district of Tamil Nadu, India. Ethical considerations were observed, with participants providing informed consent. Results: The main themes were identified and categorised into motivators and barriers. Barriers include lack of time, access to fitness classes, interest or motivation, social support, psychological barriers and cost. Motivators encompass improved physical health, mental well-being, physical appearance, self-confidence, athletic and academic performance and a strong immune system. Conclusion: The study identified financial concerns, limited access to fitness classes, lack of interest or motivation, and inadequate social support as major barriers to physical activity. Motivators include a healthy immune system, improved physical health, mental well-being, self-confidence, and enhanced academic and athletic performance. To increase adolescent physical activity, it is essential to address academic demands and incorporate physical activity courses into the curriculum. Parental involvement in education and the use of effective motivational strategies are crucial.
Optimization of Pre-treatment Parameters on the Protein Content of the Liquid Extract of Sweet Potato (var. VitAto) for Developing a Plant-based Beverage Intended as a Milk Alternative
Authors: Kasim Norzaleha , Zainon Wan Nur Zahidah Wan , Muhsin Norhida Arnieza , Hashim Mohd Fakhri , Shamsulkamal Maisarah , Najib Noreenyusnita Md
Published: April 2024

Aims: This study aimed to identify the most effective method and optimal parameters for enhancing the protein content during the pre-treatment phase of extracting the liquid component from a local sweet potato (var. VitAto) in developing a plant-based beverage as a milk alternative (PBMA).
Study Design: Response surface methodology (RSM) which involved investigating three key factors—percentage of sodium carbonate, ratio of VitAto to alkaline solution, and soaking time—each at three different levels was implemented in this study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Food Science & Technology Research Center, Malaysian Agricultural Research & Development Institute (MARDI), utilizing VitAto sourced from a local farm in Bachok, Kelantan, between August 2021 to July 2022.
Methodology: Various treatment approaches were explored, including soaking with water, acidic or alkaline solutions, blanching, boiling, and steaming. Following treatment, the liquid portion was extracted using a heavy-duty juicer and subsequently filtered through cheesecloth. The protein content of the extracts was then quantified using the AOAC method. The pre-treatment method resulting in the highest protein content was chosen for further optimization using RSM.
Results: Soaking the sweet potato in an alkaline solution (sodium carbonate), proved to be the most effective pre-treatment method, resulting in a fivefold increase in protein content compared to other methods. The optimal extraction parameters were determined to be a 3.0% concentration of sodium carbonate, a 1:1 ratio of VitAto to alkaline solution, and a soaking time of 20 hours. The predicted protein content under these conditions (2.8 g/100g) exceeded the proposed minimum protein content for PBMA (2.2 g/100g).
Conclusion: The optimum parameters for the protein content of pre-treatment in extracting the liquid part of sweet potato (VitAto) for developing PBMA were determined to be 3% sodium carbonate, a 1:1 ratio of VitAto to alkaline solution, and a soaking time of 20 hours.
Effect of Behavioral Biases and Financial Literacy on Investors’ Investment Decision-making in Kerala, India
Authors: N Venkatesa Palanichamy , M Santhosh Kumar , M Kalpana
Published: April 2024

The effect of behavioral biases and financial literacy on investment decision-making among individual investors in the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange were investigated in this research. The study explores the relationships between behavioral biases such as herding, overconfidence, and anchoring, and market anomalies, including fundamental and technical anomalies. Utilizing a structured questionnaire with a sample size of 220 and employed structural equation modeling (SEM) using AMOS, to evaluate the hypotheses outlined in conceptual framework. The findings reveal significant associations between these biases and anomalies, highlighting their substantial influence on investment decisions. Notably, herding bias (HB) and anchoring bias (AB) positively influence both fundamental anomalies (FA) and technical anomalies (TA), while overconfidence bias (OB) negatively impacts fundamental anomalies (FA). Moreover, financial literacy is identified as a crucial moderator, affecting the decision-making process. While limitations exist, such as potential biases in data collection, the study underscores the importance of addressing behavioral biases and enhancing financial literacy to promote informed investment strategies and market stability. These findings contribute to enhancing financial knowledge and market efficiency.
Sustainable Development Attributes of Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) to Agricultural Practices
Authors: Kumar Ankit , Brar Guntaash Singh , Kaushal Shilpa , Shubham .
Published: April 2024

The agricultural sector is fundamental to human civilization since it provides food and other basic needs to billions of people. Given that 9.7 billion people are expected to live on Earth by 2050, food production needs to increase by 70%. The population is predicted to become more urbanized by 2050, with 75% of people likely to live in metropolitan regions. Improved agricultural techniques and the promotion of high-yielding cultivars are essential to addressing the issues of sustainability and food security. The Green Revolution changed agriculture in India, resulting in a food surplus. However, it has resulted in difficulties such as lower crop output, resource depletion, and environmental deterioration. In response, new techniques such as zero-budget natural farming (ZBNF) have evolved. Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) is a sustainable farming approach aimed at improving soil health, increasing crop output, and lowering production costs. The foundations of ZBNF are examined in this review study along with how they affect agricultural output, environmental sustainability, and socioeconomic advantages. ZBNF places a strong emphasis on using organic inputs and natural resources such as jeevamrita, bijamrita, acchadana and whapasa to increase microbial diversity, improve soil fertility, encourage nutrient cycling, and save water. ZBNF can lower production costs, boost crop yield, and enhance soil health. It also confers better emergence parameters, relative leaf water content, root parameters, and overall yield and productivity on plant growth. Additionally, ZBNF supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals by encouraging sustainable agriculture, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and improving rural lives.
Blood Pressure Pattern among Young Adults Using Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in South-South Nigeria
Authors: Nwafor Chibuike Eze , Clement Crown
Published: April 2024

Background: Hypertension (HTN) is a significant public health concern worldwide, including Nigeria, with its prevalence steadily rising. Although HTN has historically been associated with older adults, studies have revealed an increasing frequency of the condition in younger adults. This presents unique challenges and implications for long-term health outcomes. In Nigeria, HTN in young individuals is a problem that receives little attention because it is still mistakenly thought of as an illness that only affects the elderly. To dispel this myth, this study aims to identify hypertensive young persons and to investigate the levels and patterns of hypertension in young adults utilizing ABPM in southern Nigeria.

Method: A retrospective study was conducted among young adults aged 18-39 in Southern Nigeria. Participants underwent ABPM to assess their BP levels and patterns over 24 hours. Demographic data, lifestyle factors, and medical history were also collected. Descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis were employed to analyze the data.

Results: This study consisted of 111 participants, 53.2% males and 46.8% females, with a mean age of 32.9 years. Tobacco consumption was reported by 10% of respondents, while 43.2% reported alcohol consumption. Significant differences in blood pressure parameters between genders were observed during the wake period, with males showing higher average systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures. During sleep, males exhibited higher average systolic and mean arterial pressures, but lower average heart rate compared to females. Good BP control was observed in 48.65% of participants, with the majority exhibiting a non-dipping pattern (48.65%) followed by good dipping (36.04%). Masked hypertension, white coat hypertension, and anxiety-related BP were observed in 1%, 1.80%, and 4.50% of cases, respectively.

Conclusion: The study revealed a majority with good blood pressure control, yet a substantial portion exhibited sub-optimal control, emphasizing the continued need for vigilance and interventions in cardiovascular health. Therefore, health practitioners should prioritize raising awareness of hypertension in young adults and promoting early lifestyle changes to mitigate future risks.
Impact of Plant Spacing and Mulch on Growth Parameters of Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.)
Authors: Datta Himadri S , Barua P.C. , Kotoky U. , Das R. , Saikia H. , Nath H.K.D
Published: April 2024

Plant spacing and mulch material have got tremendous influence on crop growth and yield.Proper crop spacing aids in adequate harvesting of solar radiation and sufficient absorption of nutrients and moisture from the soil due to well developed root system which can be accommodated by making changes in inter and intra row spacing.Although plant spacing has a prominent influence on plant growth and development but has received a sort of slight attention in strawberry cultivation.Mulching controls or increases soil temperature, maintains soil moisture, improves water and nutrient absorption and reduces weed growth.These factors have tremendous influence on crop growth and as Strawberry is a surface feeder, mulching plays a very important role.The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of spacing and mulch on growth of Strawberry. The present experiment was carried out during 2019-20 and 2020-21 in Jorhat, Assam with the objective to assess the influence of spacing and mulch on growth of Strawberry.The experiment was laid out in randomized block Design with 2 factors viz. spacing and mulch with three replications involving twenty treatments comprising of five plant spacings  viz., 20 cm x 30 cm (S1), 30 cm x 30 cm (S2), 30 cm x 40 cm (S3), 40 cm x 40 cm (S4), 40 cm x 60 cm (S5) and four different mulch applications viz., paddy straw (M1), red mulch (M2), silver black mulch (M3) and no mulch (M4) and the data of individual years were subjected to pooled analysis.The treatments significantly influenced the various parameters. The experiment's findings showed that mulch material and the plant spacing had a favorable effect on strawberry growth.The pooled data revealed that 40 cm x 60 cm spacing with silver black mulch recorded maximum leaf area, Leaf Relative Water Content and minimum days from first flower opening to fruit setting which may have influence on  crop yield.Standardization of spacing and mulch material  according to agroclimatic condition will help farmers to cultivate  Strawberry on commercial level.
Clathrate‐hydrate formation by water spraying onto a porous metal plate exuding a hydrophobic liquid coolant
Authors: Fujita Shinya , Watanabe Kuniyoshi , Mori Yasuhiko H.
Published: February 2009

A novel technique for producing a clathrate hydrate from a gaseous guest substance was devised and experimentally tested. This technique employs a horizontally oriented spray nozzle and a vertically oriented porous metal plate placed in opposition to each other in a guest‐gas phase. Water is sprayed onto the plate while a precooled hydrophobic liquid coolant is seeping out of the plate to form a continuous film flowing down the plate surface. The coolant film is expected to sweep the heat released by hydrate formation away from the plate surface and, at the same time, to prevent the hydrate crystals from agglomerating on the surface thereby hindering the successive contact of the water spray with the coolant. A series of experiments has been performed to reveal the behavior of hydrate formation in the above scheme of guest‐gas/water/coolant contact operations. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009
First‐line therapy for chronic myeloid leukemia: Past, present, and future
Authors: Pavlovsky Carolina , Kantarjian Hagop , Cortes Jorge E.
Published: February 2009

The development of Bcr‐Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitors has dramatically changed the prognosis of patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Standard‐dose imatinib (400 mg/day in chronic phase, 600 mg/day in advanced CML) now dominates the management of this disease, producing considerably higher hematologic, cytogenetic, and molecular response rates than seen with previous drug therapies. However, although many patients respond well to standard‐dose imatinib initially, some patients do not achieve adequate levels of response or discontinue therapy because of resistance. One approach to improving treatment response with first‐line imatinib may be to increase the imatinib dose (800 mg/day), although recent trial data indicate that overall increases in response rates may be modest. Newer Bcr‐Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitors can induce responses in patients with all phases of imatinib‐resistant CML, even those with imatinib‐resistant mutations in the BCR‐ABL gene. Furthermore, in initial studies, first‐line dasatinib or nilotinib treatment has produced response rates that compare favorably with historical controls treated with imatinib, although confirmation is required from head‐to‐head clinical trials. Future clinical approaches may include drug combinations, which may allow quiescent leukemia stem cells to be eradicated. Further improvements in drug treatment for first‐line CML are expected during the next few years. Am. J. Hematol. 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Polymorphisms in the GAD2 gene‐region are associated with susceptibility for unipolar depression and with a risk factor for anxiety disorders
Authors: Unschuld Paul G. , Ising Marcus , Specht Michael , Erhardt Angelika , Ripke Stephan , Heck Angela , Kloiber Stefan , Straub Verica , Brueckl Tanja , Müller‐Myhsok Bertram , Holsboer Florian , Binder Elisabeth B.
Published: February 2009

Glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) is the rate limiting enzyme for conversion of glutamic acid to gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA). The GAD 65 kDa isoform is encoded by the gene GAD2 and is mainly expressed in synaptic terminals. It serves as an apoenzyme, which shows enhanced availability in situations of stress, responding to short‐term demands for GABA. We analyzed 18 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the GAD2‐gene region for associations with psychiatric diagnosis and behavioral inhibition (BI) derived from the personality traits neuroticism and extraversion as defined by the Eysenck Personality Questionaire (EPQ). A total of 268 patients with anxiety disorder (AD), 541 with unipolar depression (MD), and 541 healthy controls were included. We observe associations for five tag‐SNPs with BI in the AD‐ and control samples as well as two additional case–control associations in the MD‐sample. The associated SNPs lie within a 16KB linkage disequilibrium‐block, including putative 5′ GAD2‐promoter‐elements as well as the 3′ end of the gene MYO3A. Using open access mRNA‐expression data, we could show that BI‐associated SNPs appear to be associated with differences in MYO3A‐ but not GAD2 lymphoblastoid‐mRNA expression levels. These results support earlier studies that suggest associations of polymorphisms within the GAD2 locus with anxiety and affective disorders. However, data from expression studies imply that these polymorphisms could tag functional effects on the neighboring gene MYO3A, which is also expressed in the brain, including the cingulate cortex and the amygdala. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Niob‐Alkoholat‐Cluster mit oktaedrischem Metallatomgerüst: [K(CH3OH)4]2 [Nb6(OCH3)18] und [Na([18]Krone‐6)(C2H5OH)2]2[Nb6(OC2H5)12(NCS)6]
Authors: Flemming Anke , Köckerling Martin
Published: February 2009

Kompletter Ligandenaustausch: Clusterverbindungen vom [M6X12]‐Typ mit einem oktaedrischen M6‐Metallatomgerüst, das vollständig von Alkoholatoliganden umgeben ist, waren bisher unbekannt. Hier werden die ersten Vertreter mit [Nb6(OR)12]4+‐Einheit (R=CH3, C2H5) vorgestellt, die aus [Nb6Cl12]2+‐haltigen Vorstufen beim Erhitzen in stark basischen Alkoholatlösungen zugänglich sind. C grau, H weiß, K türkis, Nb blau, O rot.

magnified image
A Method for the Positioning and Tracking of Small Moving Particles
Authors: Rees Neil V. , Matthews Sinéad M. , Yunus Kamran , Fisher Adrian C. , Compton Richard G.
Published: February 2009

In Bewegung: Mithilfe der Elektrochemie wurde die Bewegung einer einzelnen 330 μm großen Kugel räumlich und zeitlich verfolgt (siehe Bild). Die simultane Videoaufzeichnung und chronoamperometrische Messung ergaben eine exzellente Korrelation. Mit der Fähigkeit, Elektrodenanordnungen für eine räumliche Auflösung auf der Submikrometerskala herzustellen, sollte der Einsatz dieser Technik für das Verfolgen deutlich kleinerer Partikel möglich sein.

magnified image
Total Synthesis of Indolizidine Alkaloid (−)‐209D: Overriding Substrate Bias in the Asymmetric Rhodium‐Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition
Authors: Yu Robert T. , Lee Ernest E. , Malik Guillaume , Rovis Tomislav
Published: February 2009

CO auf Wanderschaft: Mit chiralen Biphenyl‐basierten Phosphoramiditliganden an Rhodium lässt sich eine effiziente [2+2+2]‐Cycloaddition zwischen endständigen Alkylalkinen und Alkenylisocyanaten katalysieren (siehe Schema). Die Cycloaddition verläuft unter CO‐Wanderung und ermöglicht eine rasche vierstufige asymmetrische Synthese des Indolizidins (−)‐209D.

magnified image
Antagomirzymes: Oligonucleotide Enzymes That Specifically Silence MicroRNA Function
Authors: Jadhav Vaibhav M. , Scaria Vinod , Maiti Souvik
Published: February 2009

Viele wichtige zelluläre Prozesse werden duch nichtkodierende endogene RNAs gesteuert, die als MikroRNAs (miRNAs) bekannt sind. Die genaue Funktion vieler miRNAs ist aber noch unbekannt, und es besteht eine intensive Suche nach Loss‐of‐Function‐Methoden zur Aufklärung der molekularen Details. Für Antagomirzyme, eine Klasse von Nucleinsäureenzymen, wurde nun gezeigt, dass sie miRNA in vitro und in vivo spezifisch ausschalten können (siehe Schema).

magnified image
Wann bilden wechselwirkende Atome eine chemische Bindung? Spektroskopische und theoretische Analyse an Dideuterophenanthren
Authors: Grimme Stefan , Mück‐Lichtenfeld Christian , Erker Gerhard , Kehr Gerald , Wang Huadong , Beckers Helmut , Willner Helge
Published: February 2009

Die konventionelle Sichtweise bestätigt: Die hier vorgestellte Schwingungsspektroskopie eines selektiv deuterierten Derivats von Phenanthren belegt eindeutig, dass die C4H⋅⋅⋅HC5‐Wechselwirkung in der „Bucht“ als sterische (Pauli‐)Abstoßung zu interpretieren ist. Diese Befunde und die Ergebnisse einer genauen theoretischen Analyse widersprechen Interpretationen, nach denen diese Wechselwirkung stark stabilisierend ist.

magnified image
High‐Resolution Structural Characterization of a Helical α/β‐Peptide Foldamer Bound to the Anti‐Apoptotic Protein Bcl‐xL
Authors: Lee Erinna F. , Sadowsky Jack D. , Smith Brian J. , Czabotar Peter E. , Peterson‐Kaufman Kimberly J. , Colman Peter M. , Gellman Samuel H. , Fairlie W. Douglas
Published: February 2009

Das passt! Die erste hochaufgelöste Strukturbestimmung eines Foldamers im Komplex mit seinem Protein‐Target wird beschrieben (siehe Bild; Foldamere in Stabdarstellung). Das Foldamer besteht aus α‐ und β‐Aminosäureresten und ist an das antiapoptotische Protein Bcl‐xL gebunden. Der Komplex ahmt den Bindungsmodus und die wichtigsten Wechselwirkungen von Komplexen natürlicher α‐Peptidliganden mit Bcl‐xL nach. Zusätzliche Kontakte über β‐Aminosäurereste scheinen ebenfalls zur Bindungsaffinität beizutragen.

magnified image
Epimerization‐Free Block Synthesis of Peptides from Thioacids and Amines with the Sanger and Mukaiyama Reagents
Authors: Crich David , Sharma Indrajeet
Published: February 2009

Stark aktivierte Thioester entstehen durch schnelle Reaktion von C‐terminalen Thiosäuren, die von geschützten Aminosäuren and Peptiden abgeleitet sind, mit dem Sanger‐Reagens oder anderen elektronenarmen Arylhalogeniden und bilden mit freien Aminogruppen im Reaktionsgemisch sofort Peptidbindungen. Diese Methode, bei der es praktisch nicht zur Epimerisierung kommt, wurde genutzt, um ein Octapeptid aus zwei Tetrapeptiden aufzubauen (siehe Schema; Boc, Pbf und Trt sind Schutzgruppen).

magnified image
Fluoreszenz‐Farbwechsel bei der DNA‐Hybridisierung mit Thiazolorange als artifizieller DNA‐Base
Authors: Berndl Sina , Wagenknecht Hans‐Achim
Published: February 2009

Ein fluoreszierendes Chamäleon: Einzelne Thiazolorange(TO)‐Farbstoffe, die als künstliche DNA‐Basen verwendet werden, zeigen die typische grüne Emission, wohingegen Interstrang‐TO‐Dimere eine orangefarbene excimerartige Emisson in doppelsträngiger DNA aufweisen (siehe Bild).

magnified image
Niobium Alcoholate Clusters with an Octahedral Arrangement of Metal Atoms: [K(CH3OH)4]2 [Nb6(OCH3)18] and [Na([18]crown‐6)(C2H5OH)2]2 [Nb6(OC2H5)12(NCS)6]
Authors: Flemming Anke , Köckerling Martin
Published: February 2009

Complete exchange: [M6X12] type cluster compounds with an octahedral M6 metal atom arrangement, which is completely surrounded by alcoholato ligands, were unknown until now. The first representatives are prepared containing a [Nb6(OR)12]4+ unit (R=CH3 or C2H5). They are accessible at elevated temperatures from strongly basic alcoholate solutions of [Nb6Cl12]2+‐containing precursors. C gray, H white, K turquoise, Nb blue, O red.

magnified image
Total Synthesis of Indolizidine Alkaloid (−)‐209D: Overriding Substrate Bias in the Asymmetric Rhodium‐Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition
Authors: Yu Robert T. , Lee Ernest E. , Malik Guillaume , Rovis Tomislav
Published: February 2009

CO! You had me at hello: The use of chiral biphenyl‐based phosphoramidite ligands on rhodium provides an efficient [2+2+2] cycloaddition between terminal alkyl alkynes and alkenyl isocyanates (see scheme). The cycloaddition proceeds through a CO migration pathway, and facilitates a rapid four‐step asymmetric synthesis of indolizidine (−)‐209D.

magnified image