bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deconstruction Of The Meaning Of Polygamy In Women's Perspective In The Movie “Atas Nama Surga”
Authors: Hairiyah
Published: October 2024

This study deconstructs the meaning of polygamy in the film “Atas Nama Surga” as an act of assertiveness by women `who reject polygamy, signifying the importance of maintaining women's strength and dignity. This study emphasizes women's perspectives, providing awareness of the importance of having the courage to speak one's mind. The research method uses a qualitative literature study with movie analysis from the MAXstream platform as primary data, and journals, books, articles, and online sources as secondary data. The results identify the deconstruction of polygamy as a cause of women's suffering, the potential for violence, and as a form of male selfishness. Factors such as experience, knowledge, and economic power influence the emergence of this deconstruction of meaning. The implications include stereotyping men as violent and selfish, polygamy being perceived as material control, and the difficulty of realizing a monogamous marriage. Despite the limited focus on one movie, this research provides a basis for extending the deconstruction to other works.
O COMPARTILHAMENTO DE DADOS E INFORMAÇÕES PROTEGIDOS POR SIGILO FISCAL COM OS TRIBUNAIS DE CONTAS
Authors: Oliveira Igor Pereira
Published: October 2024

A corrupção no Brasil, destacada por organizações internacionais como a Transparência Internacional e a Organização Internacional para a Cooperação e Desenvolvimento Econômico (OCDE), exige a adoção de estratégias eficazes para o fortalecimento da integridade nacional. Neste contexto, evidencia-se a relevância do compartilhamento pela administração tributária (Receita Federal do Brasil e as Secretarias Estaduais da Fazenda) de dados e informações protegidos por sigilo fiscal com os Tribunais de Contas. Utiliza-se o método dedutivo, partindo de uma visão ampla sobre a previsão legal e a orientação jurisprudencial favoráveis ao intercâmbio de informações, para a evidenciação de casos práticos de utilidade das notas fiscais.
INTELIGÊNCIA ANALÍTICA DE CONTROLE EXTERNO
Authors: Soares Cirleia Carla Sarmento Santos , Piana Bruno Botelho
Published: October 2024

Este estudo pretende provocar um processo reflexivo, ao propor o uso da tecnologia para promover avanços no combate à fraude e corrupção na aplicação de recursos públicos, dotando os Tribunais de Contas de elementos suficientes à execução da chamada inteligência de controle externo. Utilizando base documental bibliográfica, a pesquisa realizada, do tipo exploratória, busca contribuir trazendo solução ao seguinte questionamento: é possível extrair dos bancos de dados e sistemas atualmente disponíveis aos Tribunais de Contas, agregando registros existentes em fontes externas, na perspectiva de inteligência, informações para construir padrões que viabilizem e direcionem atuação mais moderna aos órgãos de controle no combate à fraude e corrupção? A resposta revela que os Tribunais de Contas podem avançar em sua atuação estratégica ao monitorar de forma contínua e preventiva seus jurisdicionados, tendo em mira a quantidade expressiva de dados que aportam diariamente em suas bases, decorrente de exigências normativas. Conclui-se que é possível moldar a rotina dos órgãos de controle aos novos desafios propostos à Administração Pública, viabilizando a tão almejada celeridade e efetividade em suas ações, em uma governança voltada à produção dos melhores resultados para a sociedade.
On the Biplanarity of Blowups
Authors: Eppstein David
Published: October 2024

The 2-blowup of a graph is obtained by replacing each vertex with two non-adjacent copies; a graph is biplanar if it is the union of two planar graphs. We disprove a conjecture of Gethner that 2-blowups of planar graphs are biplanar: iterated Kleetopes are counterexamples. Additionally, we construct biplanar drawings of 2-blowups of planar graphs whose duals have two-path induced path partitions, and drawings with split thickness two of 2-blowups of 3-chromatic planar graphs, and of graphs that can be decomposed into a Hamiltonian path and a dual Hamiltonian path.
Les imagiers photographiques : miroir du monde ou monde à part ?
Authors: Hamaide Éléonore
Published: October 2024

Cet article esquisse une typologie de l’imagier photographique en le réinscrivant dans une tradition du livre et de l’album documentaire. L’imagier s’est imposé comme un incontournable éditorial dont la diversité des propositions enrichit ses enjeux et ses publics. L’imagier photographique joue du réalisme du médium pour se faire miroir du monde, mais il est aussi une initiation en acte à l’art photographique et une école du regard, par la mise en oeuvre de dispositifs qui orientent la lecture de l’image. La confrontation à des photographes reconnus n’empêche pas une conception ludique de la photographie de se faire jour. L’imagier photographique témoigne enfin d’une évolution du regard sur la littérature de jeunesse également tournée vers des publics adultes par sa capacité à s’ouvrir au monde contemporain et à ses préoccupations sociales et idéologiques autant qu’à ses nouveaux modes de communication.
Les dessous « bienveillants » de la photographie animalière de Harry Whittier Frees
Authors: Lavoie Vincent
Published: October 2024

L’Américain Harry Whittier Frees (1879-1953) est connu pour ses clichés mettant en scène de jeunes animaux costumés. Chatons, chiots, lapereaux, porcelets sont photographiés grimés dans des saynètes drolatiques de la quotidienneté humaine (tâches ménagères, activités d’étude, de divertissement et de socialisation, etc.). Frees a publié ses images sous la forme de cartes postales, mais également dans des ouvrages pédagogiques destinés aux enfants (Kittens and Cats, 1911; The Little Folks of Animal Land, 1915; Animal Land on the Air, 1929; Four Little Kittens, 1934). Ces représentations s’inscrivent certes dans une longue tradition illustrative misant sur l’anthropomorphisation du monde animal à des fins didactiques et morales. Elles soulèvent toutefois des enjeux éthiques et éthologiques spécifiques à la photographie d’animaux vivants. De cela, Frees avait pleinement conscience. C’est pourquoi il publiait dans les pages liminaires de ses livres des avis assurant parents et enseignants de sa bienveillance envers les animaux. C’est à l’étude de ces « avertissements » à l’attention des adultes que cet article est consacré.
Enfants d’images : photographie, enfance et universalisme dans les années 1950 en France
Authors: Blanc-Marianne Guillaume
Published: October 2024

Le champ photographique français considère, à partir des années 1950, être entré dans la « civilisation de l’image ». La photographie permettrait de faire tomber les barrières des langues naturelles pour faire enfin advenir un monde entièrement pacifié, basé sur une entente cordiale entre les peuples et les nations. En son sein, la figure de l’enfant constitue une cible privilégiée : comme l’indique Photo-Monde (1956), ce sont bien eux qui seront les « hommes de demain ». Question d’éducation donc, car les enfants d’aujourd’hui parleront la langue photographique de demain et la justifieront ; mais aussi question d’idéologie, car, toujours selon les mêmes acteurs, l’enfant, dans sa supposée innocence primitive, serait l’incarnation de l’universalisme qui accompagne nécessairement la « civilisation de l’image ».
Les métaphores perceptuelles dans la culture du remix
Authors: Pal Gyöngyi
Published: October 2024

L’article remet en cause la fonction des photographies dans les imagiers que Bettina Kümmerling‑Meibauer désigne par le terme anglais « early-concept books » et qui combinent des dessins et des clichés. Dans les imagiers de Kata Pap, les objets photographiés sont détournés par le dessin. Cette utilisation métaphorique va à l’encontre de l’usage objectif, réaliste et factuel, fonction primaire et objectif pédagogique assignés à la photographie. L’article interroge les études récentes en psychologie pour mettre au clair le rôle de la perception visuelle dans la formulation de concepts précoces, ainsi que le(s) rôle(s) de la photographie dans ce processus. L’utilisation détournée de la photographie semble une pratique contemporaine étendue dans le domaine de l’illustration de la littérature jeunesse. L’étude parcourt ce phénomène entre autres à travers l’oeuvre de Tineke Meirink et de Tomi Ungerer pour cerner le rôle des métaphores perceptuelles dans la culture du remix.
Development of levofloxacin glycosylated mesoporous silica nanoparticles for urinary tract infections
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Songhita , Narayan Reema , Gadag Shivaprasad , Shenoy Padmaja A. , Garg Sanjay , Nayak Usha Y. , T Ashwini.
Published: October 2024

Nanoparticle drug delivery for infectious disease has paved the way for effective treatment; mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) with versatile design options, tunable pore size, high surface area, and adequate pore volume have garnered widespread interest. The current study deals with the synthesis of MSNs loaded with levofloxacin (LVF), followed by glycosylation to enhance the uptake by bacterial cells. The MSNs were prepared by modifying Stober’s process. The amino-modified MSNs were glycosylated using D-Glucuronic acid by EDAC-NHS coupling chemistry. The LVF -loaded glycosylated MSNs (GLY-MSN) were characterized for various parameters and in vitro antimicrobial efficacy study. The surface functionalized MSNs had a particle size of 673.6 ± 60.81nm and were found to be spherical from the SEM images. The drug loading capacity for plain MSNs and GLY-MSN was found to be 10.41% ± 0.81% and 11.43% ± 0.93%, respectively. The LVF release from GLY-MSN was found to be 21.02% ± 3.38% whereas that from plain MSN was 7.50% ± 1.31% at the end of 48 hours. The minimum inhibitory concentration of LVF-GLY-MSN on Escherichia coli was found to be lesser than that for LVF and LVF-MSN. Hence, the synthesized GLY-MSN may be an effective drug delivery system for the treatment of drug-resistant bacterial infections.
Nano formulation of Berberine (Brb): Transforming a natural alkaloid into advanced therapeutics
Authors: Chauhan Anjali , Gaur Rahul , Kanta Chandra
Published: October 2024

A naturally occurring isoquinoline alkaloid “Berberine” (Brb) is found in various plant species of the genus Berberis, such as Berberis vulgaris, Berberis aristata, Berberis microphylla, and so on. This component has been studied extensively by various researchers and scientists for its diverse therapeutic properties, including anticancer, antiviral, antimicrobial antidiarrheal, and anti-inflammatory effects. One of the most remarkable applications of berberine is its efficacy in managing type-II diabetes, which is attributed to its capability to initiate adenosine monophosphate, glycolysis stimulation, protein kinases activation, inhibit mitochondrial function and thus collectively enhance the lipid and glucose metabolism. Also, Berberine has shown promising outcomes in addressing other health conditions, such as hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, and congestive heart failure. In spite of its numerous benefits, extensive usage of berberine has been hindered by some challenges such as low bioavailability, limited absorption, and poor water solubility. Nano formulation has emerged as an auspicious approach to overcome these obstacles. This review highlights the advancements of using nano technology to overcome the limitations of berberine (Brb) associated with its absorption, dissolution, and bio-distribution, which are critical for its active application of pharmacology. While previous studies have explored the use of nano-carriers for transfer of drug, this review uniquely underlines an inclusive evaluation of several nanocarrier, together with lipid-based nanoparticles (SLNs, NLCs, micelles, and liposomes), polymeric-based nanoparticles (chitosan, alginate, dextran, and PLGA) and advanced materials (graphene, dendrimers, gold (Au), and silver (Ag) nanoparticles). It emphasizes their specific applications in treating conditions like diabetes, osteoarthritis, microbial infections, and melanoma, with special attention on innovative applications such as thermal therapy with AuNP-Brb and bio-imaging with Brb-based carbon dots. In conclusion, nanotechnology has shown an outstanding result in improving the therapeutic strength and delivery of berberine, more investigation is necessary to interpret these nanoparticle carriers into clinical applications. The detailing of specific therapeutic effects and this breadth of comparison highlight the novelty of this review, which sets a foundation for future research to translate these findings into clinical applications.
Unsupervised discovery of family specific vocal usage in the Mongolian gerbil
Authors: Peterson Ralph E , Choudhri Aman , Mitelut Catalin , Tanelus Aramis , Capo-Battaglia Athena , Williams Alex H , Schneider David M , Sanes Dan H
Published: October 2024

In nature, animal vocalizations can provide crucial information about identity, including kinship and hierarchy. However, lab-based vocal behavior is typically studied during brief interactions between animals with no prior social relationship, and under environmental conditions with limited ethological relevance. Here, we address this gap by establishing long-term acoustic recordings from Mongolian gerbil families, a core social group that uses an array of sonic and ultrasonic vocalizations. Three separate gerbil families were transferred to an enlarged environment and continuous 20-day audio recordings were obtained. Using a variational autoencoder (VAE) to quantify 583,237 vocalizations, we show that gerbils exhibit a more elaborate vocal repertoire than has been previously reported and that vocal repertoire usage differs significantly by family. By performing gaussian mixture model clustering on the VAE latent space, we show that families preferentially use characteristic sets of vocal clusters and that these usage preferences remain stable over weeks. Furthermore, gerbils displayed family-specific transitions between vocal clusters. Since gerbils live naturally as extended families in complex underground burrows that are adjacent to other families, these results suggest the presence of a vocal dialect which could be exploited by animals to represent kinship. These findings position the Mongolian gerbil as a compelling animal model to study the neural basis of vocal communication and demonstrates the potential for using unsupervised machine learning with uninterrupted acoustic recordings to gain insights into naturalistic animal behavior.
A novel multi-model feature generation technique for suicide detection
Authors: Ding Ting , Qu Tonghui , Zou Zongliang , Ding Cheng
Published: October 2024

Automated expert systems (AES) analyzing depression-related content on social media have piqued the interest of researchers. Depression, often linked to suicide, requires early prediction for potential life-saving interventions. In the conventional approach, psychologists conduct patient interviews or administer questionnaires to assess depression levels. However, this traditional method is plagued by limitations. Patients might not feel comfortable disclosing their true feelings to psychologists, and counselors may struggle to accurately predict situations due to limited data. In this context, social media emerges as a potentially valuable resource. Given the widespread use of social media in daily life, individuals often express their nature and mental state through their online posts. AES can efficiently analyze vast amounts of social media content to predict depression levels in individuals at an early stage. This study contributes to this endeavor by proposing an innovative approach for predicting suicide risks using social media content and machine learning techniques. A novel multi-model feature generation technique is employed to enhance the performance of machine learning models. This technique involves the use of a feature extraction method known as term frequency-inverse document frequency (TF-IDF), combined with two machine learning models: logistic regression (LR) and support vector machine (SVM). The proposed technique calculates probabilities for each sample in the dataset, resulting in a new feature set referred to as the probability-based feature set (ProBFS). This ProBFS is compact yet highly correlated with the target classes in the dataset. The utilization of concise and correlated features yields significant outcomes. The SVM model achieves an impressive accuracy score of 0.96 using ProBFS while maintaining a low computational time of 5.63 seconds even when dealing with extensive datasets. Furthermore, a comparison with state-of-the-art approaches is conducted to demonstrate the significance of the proposed method.
Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the OSC gene family in Platycodon grandiflorus
Authors: Wang Xiaoqin , Yan Dong , Chen Ling
Published: October 2024

Platycodon grandiflorus stands as one of the most extensively utilized traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, with triterpenoids and their derivatives serving as its primary medicinal components. Oxido squalene cyclase (OSC), serving as a crucial enzyme in the triterpenoid synthesis pathway, has the capability to enzymatically generate significant quantities of sterols and triterpenoid intermediates. While the OSC gene family has been identified in numerous species, bioinformatics research on this family remains scant. Presently, the specific members of this gene family in Platycodon grandiflorus have yet to be definitively determined. In this study, we successfully identified a total of 15 PgOSC genes within the genome of Platycodon grandiflorus by conducting homology comparisons. These genes were discovered to be unevenly distributed across the five chromosomes of the species, organized in the form of gene clusters. Subsequently, we conducted a thorough analysis of the OSC gene family’s evolutionary relationship by constructing a phylogenetic tree. Other characteristics of PgOSC family members, including gene structure, conserved motifs, protein three-dimensional structure, subcellular localization, and cis-acting elements were thoroughly characterized. Furthermore, We analyzed the expression of PgOSC gene in different tissues of Platycodon grandiflorus by qRT-PCR, and found that the expression of PgOSC genes in root was higher than that in stem and leaf. Upon comparing the effects of salt, heat, and drought treatments, we observed a significant induction of PgOSC gene expression in Platycodon grandiflorus specifically under salt stress conditions. In summary, this study comprehensively identified and analyzed the OSC gene family, aiming to provide basic biological information for exploring the members of PgOSC gene family.
Association of thyroid hormones with the severity of chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional observational study at Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Awwaadh Basmah , Mohammed Amal Hussain , Alharbi Basmah F. , Alruwetei Abdulmohsen , Sarwar Tarique , Alharbi Hajed Obaid , Alhumaydhi Fahad
Published: October 2024

Background

The interplay between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and thyroid dysfunction is becoming more evident in the biomedical community. However, the intricacies of their relationship warrant deeper investigation to understand the clinical implications fully.

Objective

This study aims to systematically evaluate the correlation between thyroid hormone levels, including thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4), and markers of renal disease severity. These markers include serum creatinine, urea, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in individuals diagnosed with CK).

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional observational study involving a cohort of 86 participants with CKD recruited from the renal clinic at King Fahad Hospital in Tabuk. Biochemical parameters, encompassing plasma electrolytes and thyroid hormone concentrations, were quantitatively assessed. These measurements were performed with the aid of a Roche Cobas E411 analyzer. The Pearson correlation coefficient was employed to delineate the strength and direction of the associations between the thyroid function markers and renal disease indicators.

Results

The statistical analysis highlighted a generally weak correlation between the concentrations of thyroid hormones and the indicators of renal disease severity, with Pearson correlation coefficients between −0.319 and 0.815. Critically, no significant correlation was found between creatinine and thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, T4), nor was any substantial correlation between urea and thyroid hormones. Conversely, a robust positive correlation was noted between the levels of parathyroid hormone and serum creatinine (r = 0.718, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The data suggests that thyroid hormone levels have a minimal correlation with the severity of renal disease markers. In contrast, the pronounced correlation between PTH and creatinine underscores the importance of considering PTH as a significant factor in managing and therapeutic intervention of CKD complications. These initial findings catalyze further research to thoroughly investigate the pathophysiological relationships and potential therapeutic targets concerning thyroid dysfunction in patients with renal impairment.
Evaluation and driving factors of ecological environment quality in the Tarim River basin based on remote sensing ecological index
Authors: Tang Congcang , Li Qiao , Tao Hongfei , Aihemaiti Mahemujiang , Mu Zhenxia , Jiang Youwei
Published: October 2024

Changes in the ecological environment quality (EEQ) in the main inland Tarim River Basin in China substantially impact the regional development. Indeed, comprehensive ecological environment measures have been implemented in the Tarim River Basin since 2000. In this context, the main objective of the present study was to investigate the spatiotemporal evolution of the EEQ and monitor the effectiveness of ecological restoration measures in the Tarim River Basin over the 2000–2020 period using remote sensing data. First, a Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI) was constructed based on the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer remote sensing data. Second, the spatial distributions and factors of the RSEI were analyzed by using Moran’s Index and Geodetector. The results indicated that the overall RSEI values for the Tarim River Basin increased from 0.22 in 2000 to 0.25 in 2020. Moreover, the values for areas with poor EEQ decreased from 50.7% to 44.73%, while those with moderate EEQ increased from 11.45% to 16.91%. Therefore, the results demonstrated a slight overall improvement in the EEQ of the study area over the 2000–2020 period. On the other hand, the EEQ in the Tarim River Basin exhibited a significant spatial autocorrelation in the 2000–2020 period, with a relatively stable overall spatial distribution. Areas with high–high aggregation were distributed in the high-elevation mountainous areas in the western, northern, and southern parts of the study area. In contrast, areas with low–low aggregation were observed in the central and eastern low-elevation desert areas. The EEQ in the Tarim River Basin was driven by the interactions of several factors, including the normalized difference vegetation index, land surface moisture, land surface temperature, normalized differential build-up and bare soil index, and elevation. In particular, heat was the main driving factor that severely impacted the EEQ in the study area. Indeed, increase in the heat values could directly enhance meltwater runoff from glaciers in the basin, thereby resulting in short-term improvement in the basin EEQ. Furthermore, rapid urbanization from 2015 to 2020 resulted in a decrease in the average RSEI value of the Tarim River Basin by 0.1 over this period, consequently, the EEQ level decreased slightly. Briefly, the EEQ in the Tarim River Basin showed an overall increasing trend from 2000 to 2020, further demonstrating the effectiveness of a series of implemented ecological restoration measures in the Tarim River Basin over this period.
Cephalometric Evaluation of Soft-tissue Profile Changes in Class-II Division 1 Patients with Varied Growth Patterns Treated with all First Premolar Extractions: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Jakhar Anamika , Kumar Santosh , Dogra Namrata , Harikrishnan Pandurangan , Kumar Tarun
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Knowledge of the facial skeleton and its overlying soft-tissue is essential in determining facial harmony. Additionally, an individual’s growth pattern may influence posttreatment facial profiles and needs to be considered during treatment planning. Aim: To evaluate the soft-tissue profile changes in treated Class-II malocclusion patients with varied mandibular growth patterns and to compare these changes with patients having a skeletal Class-I relationship and a balanced facial profile. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional cephalometric study was conducted in the Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dental Sciences, SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana, India, from June 2021 to December 2022. The study included 210 lateral cephalograms of 120 patients. The cephalograms were divided into four groups based on the Frankfort horizontal Mandibular plane Angle (FMA): Group-1 (control, n=30): skeletal Class-I (FMA=22°-28°); Group-2 (n=30): skeletal Class-II with a horizontal growth pattern (FMA<22°); Group-3 (n=30): skeletal Class-II with an average growth pattern (FMA=22°-28°); and group-4 (n=30): skeletal Class-II with a vertical growth pattern (FMA>28°). All patients in the groups2,3, and 4 were treated with all first premolar extractions using a 0.022˝ McLaughlin, Bennett and Trevisi (MBT) appliance. The student’s t-test and post-hoc test was used to analyse skeletal, dental and soft-tissue parameters using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software (version 22.00 for Windows; SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA). Results: Of the total, 120 patients, 52 were males and 68 females with an age range of 18-28 years. On intergroup analysis, significant changes (p-value<0.05) in the Sella, Nasion and A point (SNA) and Sella, Nasion and B point (SNB) angles were observed in group-3. Clinically insignificant changes were found in the A point, Nasion and B point (ANB) angle across all experimental groups. However, a significant change (p-value<0.001) in the post-treatment ANB angle was observed in group-2, followed by group-3 and 4 when compared with group-1. The soft-tissue profile angle showed a significant change in Group-2 when compared with Group-1 (p-value=0.012). Conclusion: The post-treatment soft-tissue profiles of the experimental groups were comparable to the balanced profile of the control group patients.
A Narrative Review on Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy: Principle, Applications, Advancements and Challenges
Authors: -Takbhate Bhagyashri Patil
Published: October 2024

Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) is an advanced imaging technique used in various fields. It offers several advantages over conventional microscopy due to its high resolution and ability to collect three-dimensional data using optical sectioning. While the resolution in confocal microscopy is comparatively lower than that of electron microscopy, it has effectively bridged the gap between these two imaging techniques. In the medical field, CLSM has a wide range of applications, including the diagnosis and treatment of corneal diseases, the study of biofilms and the diagnosis of various types of cancers, as well as the viral pathogenic cycle, including that of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). CLSM is also beneficial in food technology. The present review synthesises the current knowledge on CLSM, encompassing its applications, technological advancements and limitations. A comprehensive search of relevant databases identified studies and articles published by September 2023. The findings highlight CLSM’s versatility, with applications ranging from cell biology to materials science, while also addressing technical challenges and future prospects.
Analysing the Functional and Structural Impact of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 Gene: An In-silico Approach
Authors: Ramachandran Rejitha , Joseph Saritha C , Sajeevan kc , Nair Shajee S
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) is a vital member of the MMP family, known for its wide range of substrate specificity and proteolytic activity against Extracellular Matrix (ECM) components. The role of functional polymorphisms in the MMP genes has been previously investigated in relation to cancer susceptibility, particularly breast cancer. Several SingleNucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in the MMP3 gene have been linked to a number of clinical illnesses, such as Coronary Artery Disease (CAD); however, the results were not entirely conclusive. Aim: To identify pathogenic missense SNPs in the human MMP3 gene and analyse their effects on structure and function. Materials and Methods: This was a record-based cross-sectional study performed using data retrieved from online resources. The analysis was conducted using a series of different bioinformatic tools, for which ethical clearance was obtained from the institution. The online tools used included Sorting Intolerant from Tolerant (SIFT), PolyPhen-2, PhD-SNP, PANTHER, PROVEAN, and SNPs and GO to predict harmful non synonymous SNPs (nsSNPs). Further analysis was performed using I-Mutant 2.0, MutPred2, Consurf, and HOPE software. These tools were able to filter out damaging SNPs and predict the impact of deleterious SNPs on the structure and function of the MMP3 protein. Results: This study predicted two potentially pathogenic SNPs (D175Y and Y116C) out of 443 missense SNPs from dbSNP, which is a database of SNPs available on the National Centre for Biotechnology Information website. Further analysis revealed that these SNPs were located in highly conserved regions and were predicted to decrease protein stability. Conclusion: In this study, two potentially pathogenic SNPs (D175Y and Y116C) were identified. Characterisation of these SNPs can help us gain a better understanding of the molecular basis of clinical conditions. The results of this study can be further validated by designing population-based studies and wet lab experiments. This will help in augmenting research and personalised medicine.
Change in Intraocular Pressure after Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty in North Indian Primary Open Angle Glaucoma Patients: A Prospective Analytical Study
Authors: Buraniya Supriya M , Ramavat Piyush Kumar R , Beri Sarita
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world. The only known modifiable risk factor for the onset and progression of glaucoma is Intraocular Pressure (IOP). There are a limited number of studies documenting the IOP-lowering effect of Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) patients, especially within the North Indian population. Understanding the effect of SLT on IOP reduction in this population is crucial for the proper management of glaucoma patients. Aim: To study the IOP-lowering effect of SLT in North Indian POAG patients (who had not achieved target IOP on two or more antiglaucoma drugs) after a period of six months. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based, single-arm, prepost type of prospective analytical study was conducted at Lady Hardinge Medical College and associated hospitals in New Delhi, India, from January 2021 to June 2022. POAG patients aged 18 years or older, who had not achieved the target IOP while on two or more Antiglaucoma Medications (AGM), were given the option of treatment with SLT. A total of 33 eyes were considered for the study as per sample size calculations. PreSLT, IOP was recorded along with other baseline parameters. The SLT procedure was carried out according to the standard protocol. IOP was recorded during follow-ups at one week, one month, three months, and six months. The Friedman test was used to compare IOP values, with a significance level set at 0.05. Spearman correlation was employed to explore the correlation between baseline IOP and the change in IOP at six months. Results: A total of 33 eyes were included in the study. Of these, 28 (84.8%) eyes had advanced glaucoma, while 5 (15.2%) eyes had moderate glaucoma according to International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) staging. Patients were on two or more commonly used AGMs, including prostaglandin analogues, beta blockers, alpha agonists, topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, and rho kinase inhibitors. The mean number of topical AGMs that patients were using was 3.03. The number and type of AGMs for each patient remained consistent pre and post-SLT throughout the study period. The mean IOP (baseline) was 16.39±2.73 mmHg, and after six months, the mean IOP was 13.86±1.99 mmHg. The mean IOP reduced by 2.53 mm Hg (15.44%). There was a strong negative correlation between baseline IOP and the change in IOP at six months, which was statistically significant (rho=-0.78, p-value<0.001). Conclusion: The present study indicates that SLT can be considered an adjunctive treatment for lowering IOP in North Indian POAG patients. A strong negative correlation was found between baseline IOP and IOP at six months post-SLT, suggesting that a higher reduction can be expected in patients with elevated baseline IOP.
Physico-chemical and Mineral Composition of White Seeded Raisin Varieties (Vitis vinifera L.) Grown under Semi-arid Condition
Authors: Somkuwar R. G. , Upadhyay A. K. , Sharma A. K. , Karande P.S. , Nale R. D.
Published: October 2024

Raisins (dried grapes) are preferred for their distinctive, delightful flavor, high nutritional content, and their potential to lower the risk of several serious and chronic conditions. The quality of raisins is crucial, as it has a direct impact on the health and well-being of those who consume them. The present study assessed the physiochemical composition, mineral content, and sensory parameters of white seeded raisins. The physiochemical parameters such as raisin weight, raisin recovery, pH, moisture, ash, carbohydrate, protein, and mineral content (potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, sodium, copper, iron, and zinc) were assessed. Result revealed that the grape variety Pandhari Sahebi showed higher raisin weight and protein content. Hussain Kadu recorded maximum moisture and carbohydrate content. Significantly, higher potassium and iron content was noted in Hussain Kadu. Based on the results, Hussain Kadu was preferred for raisin colour, texture and overall acceptability.
Financial Determinants of Adoption of Agricultural Technologies in Irish Potato Production in Ol Kalou Sub County, Kenya: Application of Multinomial Logistic Regression
Authors: Mwangi Kihoro David , Kingori Gathungu Geofrey , Nkatha Mwirigi Rael , Nyambura Wairimu Vicky
Published: October 2024

Irish potato is a significant source of food and income for many households worldwide. The demand for the crop has steadily increased around the globe. Kenyan Irish potato farmers have the potential to produce about 30 tonnes per Ha. However, small-scale Irish farmers in the country realize low output ranging from 4-8 tonnes per Ha due to limited uptake of agricultural technologies. This study aimed to analyze the financial factors influencing the uptake of agricultural technologies in Irish potato production in Ol Kalou Sub County. The agricultural technologies under investigation were chemical fertilizer, certified seeds, fungicides, and farm machinery. Production and innovation diffusion theories guided the study. Descriptive cross-sectional research design was used to obtain data from a study population of 21,942 smallholder Irish potato farmers in Ol Kalou Sub County. A multiple-stage sampling technique was employed to give a sample size of 385 respondents small scale Irish potato farmers, where data was collected through a semi-structured questionnaire. Data collected was analyzed using multinomial logistic regression through SPSS version 28 and STATA version 17. The model indicated that off-farm income, access to credit, and production risk had a positive and significant influence on adopting agricultural technologies. Conversely, production cost had a negative and significant influence on the adoption of agricultural technologies, while the availability of subsidies had no significant influence. The Marginal effect analysis showed that the availability of off-farm income increased adoption by 22.00%, the increase in credit increased adoption by 2.00%, the availability of mitigation measures of production risk increased adoption by 19.00%, while the increase in production cost decreased adoption by 7.00%. The study concluded that off-farm income, credit facilities, production risk and cost of production influence the adoption of agricultural technologies. The study recommended that the government should develop policy regulations such as diversification of income, grants that reduce production costs, credit incentives, and crop insurance.
Impact of Kinnow Production on the Socio-economic Conditions of Farmers in the Agra Region
Authors: Babu Satendra , Singh Virendra
Published: October 2024

The cultivation of Kinnow, a hybrid mandarin fruit, in the Agra region has significantly impacted the socio-economic conditions of local farmers. This study examines the effects of Kinnow production on farmer livelihoods in 10 selected villages within the Agra district. Data collected from 100 Kinnow-growing farmers revealed that the crop contributes substantially to income generation, improving the financial stability of farmers. Factors such as landholding size, access to credit, and market linkages influence the profitability of Kinnow orchards. Despite challenges like market fluctuations and environmental conditions, the introduction of Kinnow has provided an alternative source of income for farmers in a semi-arid region. Additionally, this study outlines the costs involved in establishing and maintaining Kinnow orchards, highlighting the initial high investments required, followed by a significant return as orchards mature. The findings suggest that Kinnow production is a viable and profitable agricultural enterprise that can contribute to both economic growth and social development in the region.
Analysis of Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance for Yield and Yield-related Traits of Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)
Authors: Shankar Korra , Suresh Guglothu , Tiwari Nalini , Ajmera Sriram
Published: October 2024

Linseed is recognized as an excellent source of essential minerals, nutrients, and is particularly rich in omega-3 fatty acids and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), making it highly recommended for cardiovascular health. It is cultivated mainly for both linen and oil production, which is used for the production of paints, varnishes, and linoleum paste. The objective of the present investigation was to analyze genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advance for yield and yield traits among 75 linseed genotypes including ten checks using Randomized Block Design with three replications at Oilseeds Research Farm, Kalyanpur, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, (India) during Rabi season 2019-20. Analysis of variance revealed significant variation across all studied traits. The genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) ranged from low to high, with the lowest GCV and PCV observed for days to maturity, number of seeds per capsule, and days to 50% flowering. Conversely, the highest GCV and PCV values were recorded for seed yield per plant (g), number of capsules per plant, number of secondary branches per plant, and plant height. All traits recorded the highest heritability. High heritability and genetic advance were recorded for seed yield per plant, number of capsules per plant, number of secondary branches per plant, plant height, thousand seed weight, number of primary branches and oil content, indicating the presence of additive gene action for these characters. In conclusion, the genotypes studied show significant genetic variation for yield and its attributes, which should be leveraged in future breeding programs.
Marker Assisted Selection in Advanced Backcross Population of Rice Variety, MTU1010 for Bacterial Blight and Blast Resistance
Authors: Sravanthi P. , Rani CH. V. Durga , SNagalakshmi  , Anuradha G. , Vanisree S. , Bhave M.H.V. , Jamaloddin Md. , Swathi G. , Ramprasad E. , Kumar N. Arun Prem
Published: October 2024

The present study was aimed for identification of the bacterial blight and blast resistant lines in the advanced back cross population of MTU-1010 using marker assisted foreground selection and also for evaluation of agro-morphological characters. The M-16-59 introgressed line (derived from an intercrossing of BC2F1 plants of MTU-1010 x GPP2 and MTU-1010 x NLR 145) is developed under ongoing DBTDBSRR subproject -IV possessing Xa21, xa13, Pi1 and Pi54 resistance genes having broad spectrum resistance to bacterial blight and blast is used as a donor parent and MTU-1010 was used as a recurrent parent for the back cross. Before attempting the backcross both the parents were verified for the target genes along with the original donors GPP2 and NLR 145 using gene specific/linked molecular markers viz., xa13-promo for xa13 gene, pTA248 for Xa21 gene, RM 224 for Pi1 and Pi54 MAS for Pi54. under the F1 generation (equivalent to BC3F1 because two backcrosses were completed earlier), 120 plants were screened, and 16 plants were confirmed for xa13, Xa21, Pi1, and Pi54 genes under heterozygous conditions. These confirmed plants were assessed for agro-morphological characteristics such as yield, grain features, and plant type. The results showed that the confirmed heterozygous plants were comparable to MTU-1010 and passed to the next round of selection and evaluation. The BC1F1-198th plant (96.8%) was selfed to produce BC1F2 population. Twenty five plants were advanced to BC1F3 generation based on BB resistance and above other phenotypic characters. The selected BC1F3 progenies were screened for blast and BB resistance. Four BC1F3 progenies with four target genes (xa13xa13Xa21Xa21Pi54Pi54Pi1Pi1) showed very high level of resistance to both the diseases. BC1F2-198-52nd line found similar to MTU1010 with respect to yield and yield related characters besides showing resistance to both BB and blast.Improved lines of MTU1010 can be advanced for multi-location testing under All India Coordinated Rice Improvement Project (AICRIP) for their evaluation and possible release for the benefit of rice farmers.
Optimizing Irrigation Scheduling to Enhance Nutrient Uptake and Soil Microbial Activity in Linseed Cultivation (Linum usitatissimum L.)
Authors: Hireholi G. , Patil D. H. , Rathod Pandit S. , Pampanagouda  , Manjunatha N. , Ananda N.
Published: October 2024

Linseed crop cultivated under residual moisture and water scarcity conditions in rabi season. To improve the productivity of linseed irrigation water is applied at different stages of crop. So, to optimize the irrigation scheduling and enhance the nutrient uptake and soil microbial activity, this experiment was conducted at Main Agriculture Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur (which comes under North Eastern Dry zone of Karnataka) (India) during rabi 2023-24. The experiment was carried out with Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five treatments and four replications. The results revealed that, pre sowing irrigation fb three irrigations at vegetative stage (30-35 DAS), flowering stage (40-45 DAS) and capsule development stage (60-65 DAS) (T4) recorded significantly higher nutrient uptake by linseed crop (46.07, 19.87 and 39.83 NPK kg ha-1). The rainfed condition treatment (T5) recorded significantly lower nutrient uptake by the crop (19.35, 8.15 and 18.40 NPK kg ha-1). Among the different treatments, pre sowing irrigation fb three irrigations at vegetative stage (30-35 DAS), flowering stage (40-45 DAS) and capsule development stage (60-65 DAS) recorded significantly higher soil microbial population of bacteria (16.1 X 106 cfu g-1 of soil), fungi (13.8 X 104 cfu g-1 of soil) and actinomycetes (6.8 X 103 cfu g-1 of soil) as compared to other treatments. The soil enzymatic activity was significantly influenced by scheduling of irrigation at different growth stages in linseed. At harvest among the different treatments, pre sowing irrigation fb three irrigations at vegetative stage (30-35 DAS), flowering stage (40-45 DAS) and capsule development stage (60-65 DAS) recorded significantly higher dehydrogenase, urease and alkaline phosphatase activity (18.63 μg TPF g-1 soil day-1, 22.5 μg NH4-N g-1 soil hr-1 and 14.4 µg PNP g-1 soil hr-1, respectively).
Selected Actinomycetes as Potential Biostimulant of Eggplant (Solanum melongena L) in Mali
Authors: Kassogué Adounigna , Diallo Moussa , Mallé Ibrahima , Ouédraogo Pauline Wendlassida , Diallo Kangaye Amadou , Diakité Balla , Doumbia Bakaye , Babana Amadou Hamadoun
Published: October 2024

Aims: This study aims to formulate at least one efficient biostimulant based on actinomycetes that promotes good eggplant growth in Mali.
Study Design: The experimental design was a completely randomized block design with three replications and four treatments randomly distributed. The treatments were three Actinomycete strains (Act, S1 and St1) and a non inoculated control and the mode of application (inoculation or spraying) of these treatments were considered as blocking factor.
Place and Duration of Study: The trials were conducted in Bamako, in the Greenhouse of   the LaboREM-Biotech situated on the colline of Badalabougou.
Methodology: Eggplant seeds inoculated or not with Actinomyces sp. Ts1, Actinomyces sp. S1 and Actinomyces sp. Act; were randomly sown in plastic pots filled with approximately 2.50 kg of air-dried soil. The first block sown with coated seeds and the second with non-inoculated seeds and seedlings from them pulverized. Leaf length, leaf area, leaf diameter, leaf area, leaf fresh weight, leaf dry weight, root fresh weight, root dry weight, plant height and root length were determined.
Results: Eggplant seed inoculated with all the tested Actinomycetes strains had significantly enhanced leaf length, leaf diameter, leaf area, leaves fresh weight. The highest results were obtained with the strain Act, followed by strain St1. Sprayed treatment improved eggplant leaf length, leaf diameter, leaf area, leaves fresh weight, leaves dry weight, root fresh weight, root dry weight; compared to the coated treatment
Conclusion: Field application of actinomyctes may reduce production cost, by increasing eggplant growth and fruit yield while reducing production cost. The present work showed that Act and Ts1 using spray method were best suited for eggplant. Actinomyces sp. Act produced the highest leaf length, leaf diameter, leaf area, leaves fresh weight. Therefore, Actinomyces sp. Act is suggested as bioinoculant for eggplant.
Die Politisierung des Zivilverfahrens durch strategische Prozessführung
Authors: Blüm Christoph
Published: October 2024

Strategische Prozessführung liegt im Trend. Unterstützt von prominenten Nichtregierungsorganisationen (NGOs) sind weltweit zahlreiche Gerichtsverfahren anhängig, in denen über das eigentliche Prozessziel der Klägerseite hinaus ein politisches Ziel - etwa der Klimaschutz im Allgemeinen - verfolgt wird. Die Durchsetzung politischer Ziele und vermeintlicher Allgemeininteressen mit den Mitteln des Rechts ist zwar an sich kein neues Phänomen. Es ist jedoch zu beobachten, dass sich in Deutschland eine spezialisierte Akteurslandschaft herausbildet, die strategische Prozessführung als bevorzugtes Instrument der politischen Interessenverfolgung einsetzt. Während NGOs in strategischer Prozessführung ein unverzichtbares Instrument ihrer Arbeit sehen, wird in Teilen der Literatur eine „Instrumentalisierung von Zivilprozessen“ befürchtet. Der vorliegende Beitrag stellt ein eigenes Verständnis von strategischer Prozessführung vor und skizziert die wesentlichen Grundzüge des noch zu führenden Legitimitätsdiskurses über strategische Prozessführung im Zivilprozess.