Future Attempts Research Articles

Ontogeny of vertebral column and fin development, and detection of deformations in hatchery-reared European Flounder (Platichthys flesus) during early life stage

Understanding the skeletal development and deformations for aquaculture candidate fish species is vital for successful aquaculture practices. Developmental abnormalities at early life stages may reduce fish viability, growth, and wellbeing. This study was carried out to investigate the skeletal ontogeny and skeletal deformities of the European flounder (Platichthys flesus) at early life stage. Artificially produced European flounder larvae (n = 270) were randomly selected at a regular interval (30 fish at each sampling) from hatching to 50 days post-hatch (dph) and their skeletal ontogeny and skeletal deformations were evaluated by using bone and cartilage staining techniques. The average length of fish was 2.71 ± 0.04 mm at 0 dph and reached 19.76 ± 1.7 mm at 50 dph. The notochord began to form at 10 dph and finished flexion at 30 dph. Hypural rays appeared between 10 and 15 dph, followed by appearance of tail fin rays. Urostyle developed at 30 dph and began to ossify at 40 dph. Meristic characters showed an interspecific variation. At least one type of deformation was observed on 23.3% of larvae, and a total of 13 different deformations were identified. The most common deformation was the deformed vertebra which was observed 13 times followed by deformed dorsal fin ray, deformed caudal fin ray, and deformed neural arch and/or spine. Skeletal development during the early life stage of European flounder under culture conditions could be useful for future culture attempts and for early detection of skeletal deformations.

Novel computational and drug design strategies for the inhibition of human T-cell leukemia virus 1-associated lymphoma by Astilbin derivatives

Human T-cell leukemia virus 1 (HTLV-1) associated lymphoma is a devastating malignancy triggered by HTLV-1 infections. We employeda comprehensive drug design and computational strategy in this work to explore the inhibitory activitiesof Astilbin derivatives against HTLV-1-associated lymphoma. We evaluated the stability, binding affinities, and various computational analysis of Astilbin derivatives against target proteins, such as HTLV-1 main protease and HTLV-1 capsid protein. The root mean square deviation (RMSD), root mean square fluctuation, radius of gyration, hydrogen bond analysis, principal component analysis (PCA) and dynamic cross-correlation matrix (DCCM) were applied to characterize these protein–ligand interactions further. Ligand-03 and ligand-04 exhibited notable binding affinity to HTLV-1 capsid protein, while ligand-05 displayed high binding affinity to HTLV-1 protease. MD simulation analysis revealed that ligand-03, bound to HTLV-1 capsid protein, demonstrated enhanced stability with lower RMSD values and fewer conformational changes, suggesting a promising binding orientation. Ligand-04, despite stable binding, exhibited increased structural deviations, making it less suitable. Ligand-05 demonstrated stable binding to HTLV-1 protease throughout the simulation period at 100 nanoseconds. Hydrogen bond analysis indicated that ligand-05 formed persistent hydrogen bonds with significantresidues, contributing to its stability. PCA highlighted ligand-03's more remarkable conformational changes, while DCCM showed ligand-05's distinct dynamics, indicating its different behavior in the complex. Furthermore, binding free energy calculations supported the favorable interactions of ligand-03 and ligand-04 with HTLV-1 capsid protein, while ligand-05 showed weaker interactions with HTLV-1 protease. Molecular electrostatic potential and frontier molecular orbital analyses provided insights into these compounds’ charge distribution and stability. In conclusion, this research found Astilbin derivatives as potential inhibitors of HTLV-1-associated lymphoma. Future attempts at drug development will benefit from the steady interaction landscape provided by Ligand-03, Ligand-04 and Ligand-05, which showed the most attractive binding profile with the target protein. These results open up new opportunities for innovative drug development, and more experimental testing should be done between Astilbin derivatives and HTLV-1-associated lymphoma. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Incorporating Islamic Values Through Arabic Redubbing of the Animated Television Series "Detective Conan"

Among the animated series that became very popular and witnessed tremendous success in the Arab world is the Japanese Detective Conan, which was first dubbed in 1998 and redubbed in 2013 to convey Islamic values. However, the re-dub did not attract wide viewership and remained infamous among the Arabic anime community. This study is an attempt to investigate the differences between the two versions with a particular emphasis on technical issues and moral and value systems and explore how viewers received the Islamic re-dub. The researchers analyzed the responses of 178 viewers to a structured open-ended questionnaire. The participants demonstrated that in the first dubbed version, the image resolution, voice clarity, and synchronization were of better quality. The content analysis showed that in the re-dub, some scenes were omitted, names were replaced with Arabic ones, and references to prohibited activities were changed to fit better into the Islamic culture. The study stresses the importance of taking viewer preferences and difficulties into account when adapting media content. The current study can be used in future adaptation attempts in related environments.

Athletic Trainers' Experiences With and Perceptions of Salary Negotiation Decision-Making During the Hiring Process.

Appropriate salaries for athletic trainers (ATs) have been a contentious topic for decades. Although professional advocacy efforts to increase ATs' salaries have gained traction, little is known about ATs' experiences with negotiation during the hiring process. To explore the reasons, influences, and factors influencing ATs' negotiation decisions. Qualitative study. Individual video interviews. Twenty-eight ATs who participated in a previous study and indicated a willingness to participate in the qualitative follow-up were interviewed (17 women, 10 men, 1 nonbinary individual; age = 37.8 ± 8.9 years, athletic training experience = 15.1 ± 8.3 years). Of the 28 participants, 18 did negotiate, whereas 10 did not. An individual video conference interview was conducted with each participant. After transcription, data were analyzed into themes and categories following the consensual qualitative research tradition. To ensure trustworthiness of the findings, we confirmed accuracy through member checks, triangulated the data using multianalyst research teams, and confirmed representativeness by including an external auditor. Four parallel themes emerged during data analysis: factors for determining salary negotiation, reasons for negotiating/not negotiating, negotiation influencers/deterrents, and experiences with negotiation/impact of not negotiating. Negotiators used a variety of data sources to support their requests, and their decisions were motivated by their own known value, the area's cost of living, and their current financial or employment situations. Negotiators relied on previous experiences to guide negotiations and provided successes and regrets from their negotiation experience. Nonnegotiators also used a variety of data types but were deterred by fear of not knowing how to negotiate, of losing the offer, or of offending those involved. Nonnegotiators highlighted a lack of confidence in their ability to negotiate and provided the financial consequences and personal regrets from not negotiating. More training, education, and publicly available data are needed to assist ATs in future negotiation attempts.

Optimism, Sociability, andthe Risk ofFuture Suicide Attempt among U.S. Army Soldiers.

Most research on suicide attempts among U.S. service members has been focused on risk factors that occur during service. There is an important gap in our understanding of premilitary factors, such as personality characteristics, that may be associated with future suicide attempt risk during service. Of particular importance is identifying risk factors for the 1/3 of suicide attempters who never receive a mental health diagnosis (MH-Dx)-and therefore are not identified as having a mental health problem in the military healthcare system-prior to their suicide attempt. Using two components of the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers, we examined the association of personality facets from the Tailored Adaptive Personality Assessment System, a computerized instrument administered prior to entering service, with medically documented suicide attempts during service. A 2010-2016 sample of historical administrative records from U.S. Regular Army enlisted soldiers with complete data on 11 commonly administered Tailored Adaptive Personality Assessment System facets was examined using a series of logistic regression analyses to identify the facets associated with future suicide attempt. Significant facets were then applied to data from a longitudinal cohort study of 11,288 soldiers surveyed upon entering basic combat training and followed via administrative records for their first 48 months of service. This research was approved by the Institutional Review Boards at the collaborating institutions. Analysis of the historical administrative data (87.0% male, 61.6% White non-Hispanic), found that low Optimism (odds ratio (OR) = 1.2 [95% CI = 1.0-1.4]) and high/low (vs. moderate) Sociability (OR = 1.3 [95%CI = 1.1-1.6]) were associated with suicide attempt after adjusting for other univariable-significant facets and socio-demographic and service-related variables. When examined in the longitudinal survey cohort, low Optimism (OR = 1.7 [95% CI = 1.1-2.4]) and high/low (vs. moderate) Sociability (OR = 1.7 [95% CI = 1.1-2.5]) were still associated with increased odds of documented suicide attempt during service, even after adjusting for each other, socio-demographic and service-related variables, and medically documented MH-Dx. Mental health diagnosis had a significant two-way interaction with Optimism (F = 5.27, p = 0.0236) but not Sociability. Stratified analyses indicated that low Optimism was associated with suicide attempt among soldiers without, but not among those with, a MH-Dx. Interactions of Optimism and Sociability with gender were nonsignificant. In the full model, population attributable risk proportions for Optimism and Sociability were 15.0% and 18.9%, respectively. Optimism and Sociability were differentially associated with suicide attempt risk across time in service. Optimism and Sociability, assessed prior to entering U.S. Army service, are consistently associated with future suicide attempt during service, even after adjusting for other important risk factors. While Sociability is equally associated with suicide attempt among those with and without a MH-Dx, Optimism is specifically associated with suicide attempt among soldiers not identified in the mental healthcare system. Risk differences across time in service suggest that Optimism and Sociability interact with stressors and contextual factors in particular developmental and Army career phases.

Microscopic evidences for intercalation of nickel and iron into layered oxysulfide La2O2S2

2D transition metal chalcogenides have been examined as versatile platforms for exotic quantum phenomena, optoelectronic and photocatalytic applications. La2O2S2, a layered oxysulfide built of [La2O2]2+ slabs and 2D arrays of [S2]2- dimers, was recently found to be a promising precursor to fabricate such 2D materials. Redox reactions with external zerovalent metals cleaved its S–S bonds, triggering intercalation of those metal guests. This process serves as a novel approach to construct 2D metal sulfides between rigid [La2O2]2+ slabs, but so far demonstrated only for Cu + cations. We herein report that the same intercalation process takes place also when Ni and Fe were used as reagents. While XRD indicated that the reactions with Ni and Fe converted La2O2S2 into the sulfur-deficient La2O2S1.5-x (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.38) phase, our TEM analyses evidenced diffusion of those metals in between [La2O2]2+ slabs at the local scale. This finding suggested the formation of 2D nickel and iron sulfides intergrown with [La2O2]2+ slabs, either as the unprecedented La–O-M-S (M = Ni, Fe) phase, or a biphasic heterostructure. In addition, our computational structure prediction also supported stability of such intergrowth [La2O2][MxS2-y] structures, encouraging future attempts to isolate those elusive 2D materials.

Single-shot dynamics of dual-comb generation in a polarization-multiplexing fiber laser

Dual optical frequency combs have been a recurrent case of study over the last decade due to their wide use in a variety of metrology applications. Utilizing a single cavity laser to generate a dual comb reduces system complexity and facilitates suppression of common noise. However, a dual-comb regime in single cavity lasers tends to be more unstable and difficult to achieve. Therefore, having a better understanding about the way they are generated could improve and automate their generation and control. In this paper, we investigate the build-up dynamics and collision of dual comb in a polarization-multiplexing ring-cavity fiber laser using DFT (Dispersive Fourier Transform) method. We observe a bunch of meta-stable short-lived mode-locking states before the laser entered the dual-comb mode-locking state. The energy level of this short-lived initial pulses determines its evolution. If it decreases too much, the pulse will eventually collapse while if it stays above certain level, it will be successfully generated. The results presented in this paper increase the understanding of dual-comb generation inside a single cavity laser and may contribute in future attempts to increase the stabilization of this regime.

Cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between complete blood count measures and adolescent suicidal behavior

ObjectiveReplicable biological predictors are needed to distinguish adolescents at risk for suicide attempts (SA) compared to those at risk for suicidal ideation (SI). Early evidence in adults identifies that complete blood count (CBC) measures may be directly related to suicidal behavior (SB). MethodsIn this retrospective chart review, we assessed if CBC measures differed between adolescents psychiatrically hospitalized for SA versus SI, initially in an exploratory test cohort (n = 110, age = 11–18, 67 % female, 72.7 % White) and then in an independent confirmatory replication cohort (n = 97). In longitudinal analyses, we identified if CBC measures predicted future SB over 90 days. CBC measures were also compared to a healthy adolescent cohort (n = 597) and a medically-hospitalized nonsuicidal adolescent cohort (“MH” cohort; n = 51). ResultsSuicide attempters had lower eosinophil percentages, eosinophil counts, and platelet counts as compared to suicide ideators, though in the replication cohort, only eosinophil percentages were lower in suicide attempters. In longitudinal analysis, both lower eosinophil blood counts and percentages were associated with future suicidal behavior. In cross-sectional comparative analyses, the MH cohort had similar or lower eosinophil percentages/counts to adolescents psychiatrically hospitalized with SA. ConclusionsThough lower eosinophil percentages and counts were present in adolescents with recent SA (compared to SI), such effects may be related to physical sequalae of SA. Nevertheless, both lower eosinophil counts and percentages appear to be valuable predictors of prospective suicidal behavior over 90 days amongst psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents. These findings may guide research seeking to effectively identify adolescents at elevated risk of future suicide attempts.

Functions of nonsuicidal self-injurious behavior in Russian patients with suicidal ideation.

Nonsuicidal self-injurious behavior (NSSI) is an important risk factor for future suicide attempts. Previous research has identified a number of motivations for engaging in NSSI. The aim of the present study was to translate the Inventory of Statements About Self-Injury (ISAS) into Russian and then to evaluate its psychometric properties in a sample of patients with non-psychotic mental disorders and suicidal ideation (SI). Other aims were to determine the prevalence of specific NSSI functions in this population and to assess the relationship between different NSSI functions and clinical and psychological parameters. The study was conducted at the largest center for non-psychotic mental disorders in Moscow. All admitted patients with both NSSI and SI completed the Russian version of the ISAS-II, underwent the Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors Interview, and completed the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 and ICD-11 Brief Form Plus-Modified, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. A total of 614 patients were included in the study. 543 (88.4%) patients were assigned female at birth with a mean age of 24.86 (7.86) years. Factor analysis supported a two-factor structure (Intrapersonal and Interpersonal) of the Russian version of the ISAS-II, but in contrast to the original study, the "Marking distress" function loaded more strongly on the Interpersonal factor. In people with non-psychotic mental disorders and SI, Interpersonal functions of NSSI are associated with more severe depressive symptoms (r = 0.34), 12 months history of NSSI (r = 0.30), higher number of NSSI methods (r = 0.41), likelihood of future NSSI (r = 0.35) and psychoticism (r = 0.32). The Russian version of the ISAS-II is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing NSSI functions in a population at high risk for suicide attempts. Interpersonal functions are associated with a number of unpleasant clinical and psychological features.

Enantioselective Regulation of Short‐Chain Dehydrogenases via Key Sites in its Loop and Adjacent Regions for the Enantiodivergent Reduction of Difficult‐To‐Reduce Ketones

AbstractShort‐chain dehydrogenases (SDRs) are powerful catalysts for the asymmetric reduction of prochiral ketones in pharmaceutical products. Herein, through gene mining and evolutionary analysis, we obtained two major types of SDRs (SDR‐1 and SDR‐2) for the enantioselective complementary reduction of N‐Boc‐piperidone, which gives the corresponding product (R)‐ or (S)‐N‐Boc‐piperidol, an intermediate of the interleukin inhibitor and lymphoma treatment drug (imbruvica), respectively. By integrating multiple sequence alignment, site‐directed mutagenesis and computational modeling, we proposed a “loop regulation” mechanism for the enantioselective control of SDRs, through which residues in the loop region could potentially fine‐tune their enantioselectivity. Further, site‐directed mutagenesis assays showed that two key residues (L201 and F205 for SDR‐1, F92 and H93 for SDR‐2) in the loop and its adjacent region played critical roles in fine‐tuning the enantioselectivity of SDRs. Understanding this mechanism of SDR stereo preference in catalyzing asymmetric reduction, we further switched the enantioselectivity of the homologous enzymes. The obtained enzymes catalyzed the enantiodivergent synthesis of chiral heterocyclic alcohols with different ring sizes and substituents (25–99% conversion and 25–99% ee (R/S)), including piperidols, 4‐hydroxy azepanes, 3‐hydroxy azepanes and pyrrolidinols. These findings could potentially guide future attempts at protein engineering of stereoselective SDRs.

Combination of UAV Photogrammetry and Field Inventories Enables Description of Height–Diameter Relationship within Semi-Arid Silvopastoral Systems

Pollarding oak trees is a traditional silvopastoral technique practiced across wide areas of the northern Zagros mountains, a unique and vast semi-arid forest area with a strong cultural and ecological significance. So far, the effects of pollarding on tree structure in terms of DBH (diameter at breast height)~H (height) relationships within the typical pollarding cycle, which often lasts 4 years, has not been scientifically described. Here, we combine field inventories of DBH with H obtained from photogrammetric UAV flights for the first time to assess DBH~H relationships within this system. We conducted the research at six pollarded forest sites throughout the Northern Zagros. The sampling encompassed all three main species of coppice oak trees. In the case of multi-stem trees, we used the maximum DBH of each tree that formed a unique crown. A linear relationship between UAV and extracted H and the maximum DBH of pollarded trees explained a notable part of the variation in maximum DBH (R2 = 0.56), and more complex and well-known nonlinear allometries were also evaluated, for which the accuracies were in the same range as the linear model. This relationship proved to be stable across oak species, and the pollarding stage had a notable effect on the DBH~H relationship. This finding is relevant for future attempts to inventory biomass using remote sensing approaches across larger areas in northern Zagros, as well as for general DBH estimations within stands dominated by pollarded, multi-stem coppice structures.

Social connectedness and adolescent suicide risk.

Despite evidence of the importance of interpersonal connectedness to our understanding of suicide risk, relatively little research has examined the protective and buffering effects of connectedness among adolescents. The aims of this study were to determine: (a) whether overall connectedness (composite of family, peer, and school) and specific domains of connectedness were related to a lower likelihood of suicide attempts, and (b) whether these factors buffer the prospective risk of suicide attempt for high-risk subgroups (i.e., recent suicidal ideation and/or lifetime history of suicide attempt, peer victimization, or sexual and gender minority status). Participants were 2,897 adolescents (64.7% biological female), ages 12 to 17 (M = 14.6, SD = 1.6), recruited in collaboration with the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) from 14 emergency departments for the Emergency Department Screen for Teens at Risk for Suicide Study (ED-STARS). Suicide risk and protective factors were assessed at baseline; 3- and 6-month follow-ups were completed (79.5% retention). Multivariable logistic regressions were conducted, adjusting for established suicide risk factors. Higher overall connectedness and, specifically, school connectedness were associated with decreased likelihood of a suicide attempt across 6 months. Overall connectedness and connectedness domains did not function as buffers for future suicide attempts among certain high-risk subgroups. The protective effect of overall connectedness was lower for youth with recent suicidal ideation or a suicide attempt history than for those without this history. Similarly, overall connectedness was protective for youth without peer victimization but not those with this history. Regarding specific domains, family connectedness was protective for youth without recent suicidal ideation or a suicide attempt history and peer connectedness was protective for youth without peer victimization but not youth with these histories. In this large and geographically diverse sample, overall and school connectedness were related prospectively to lower likelihood of suicide attempts, and connectedness was more protective for youth not in certain high-risk subgroups. Results inform preventive efforts aimed at improving youth connectedness and reducing suicide risk.

Innovative Soil, Water and Plant Management Promoting Sustainable Agriculture and Environments :A Review

There is a lot of pressure on today’s agricultural producers to fulfill the increasing food needs brought on by a growing population and a shrinking supply of land and other resources. In order to meet this challenge, many people are using excessive amounts of fertilizers and other chemicals. The soil health, land quality, and environmental impacts have all suffered as a result of this intense agricultural production that disregards ecological sustainability. So, future attempts to feed the expanding population should strive for higher agricultural productivity within sustainable ecosystems. In this context, creative initiatives are required, since business-as-usual approaches lack the capacity to deal with these issues. Agricultural sustainability is defined, and various soil and crop management strategies that aim to maximize crop yield under environmentally sustainable conditions are discussed. These include, but are not limited to, nutrient management, site-specific nutrient management, fertility management, integrated soil-crop system management, sustainable water management, and water conservation. In addition, nutrient management, fertility management, and integrated soil-crop system management have been shown to improve crop yields. According to this analysis, a sustainable production system may be created by integrating the many initiatives found in SCMS practices with both immediate and long-term preventative actions. Reducing chemicals’ consumption, such as that of fertilizers and pesticides, with improvements in the agricultural input use efficiency might cut greenhouse gases emissions while safeguarding the environment. The future of humanity and Earth depends on the success of sustainable agriculture, which has promise if both rich and developing countries work together to pursue ‘our shared destiny’ in order to increase food production with little impact on the environment.

The Impact of Cultural Norms on Sustainable Entrepreneurship Practices in SMEs of Bangladesh

The objective of this study is to examine the significant impact of cultural norms on sustainable entrepreneurship initiatives in the context of small and medium-sized firms in Bangladesh's dynamic business environment. Utilizing a rigorous research technique, this study conducts semi-structured interviews with a diverse sample of 40 small and medium-sized enterprise owners, executives, and important stakeholders. Following this, a rigorous thematic analysis is conducted, revealing significant themes and complex patterns present in the collected data. The findings reveal a detailed viewpoint, explaining that cultural norms, including factors such as tendencies towards risk avoidance, complex social networks, and the significant impact of family dynamics on business operations, have both positive and negative effects on sustainable entrepreneurship practices in small and medium-sized enterprises. Furthermore, the identified research highlights the utmost importance of governmental policies and regulatory frameworks as influential factors that shape the dimensions of sustainable entrepreneurship. Based on these findings, the research emphasizes the necessity of adopting a comprehensive and integrated strategy that effectively addresses and overcomes the deeply ingrained obstacles rooted in culture. This approach should also prioritize the establishment of a supportive environment, facilitated by well-informed governmental policies and carefully crafted regulations. The implications of these findings have significant resonance beyond the confines of Bangladesh, extending to other developing countries where cultural norms and government regulations can pose substantial obstacles to the achievement of sustainable entrepreneurship. Future research attempts may benefit from delving deeper into the complex relationship between cultural norms and sustainable entrepreneurship practices across various contextual settings.

Embedding community development approaches in local systems to address health inequalities: a scoping review

Abstract Background There is a growing evidence base which shows that community development can make an important contribution to reducing health inequalities, but embedding community development as a mainstream approach into local systems is challenging. The literature relevant to the question of how to embed community development approaches is reviewed in this paper. Methods Using guidance from the Joanna Briggs Institute, a scoping review was carried out to identify relevant literature. Systematic searches were carried out across multiple databases, experts in the field were contacted and references of included studies were screened. Search results were screened against exclusion criteria. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research was used as a framework to identify factors hindering or supporting embedding. Findings The review identified thirty-five documents which described embedded, or attempts to embed, community development approaches in fourteen different countries. The most common community development approaches were strength-based or co-production. Four studies reported primary research on the embedding process or systems change. Several barriers and facilitators to embedding were identified including those related to funding arrangements, organizational and system culture, building trust with communities and the need for training and support for staff. Conclusion Using an implementation science framework, this scoping review has assessed the nature of the evidence base on how to embed community development. While the evidence base uncovered is currently limited, barriers and facilitators to embedding identified in the review can be used to both inform future attempts to embed community development and provide the building blocks for future primary research.

In silico expression profiling and function prediction of transcribed small open reading frames from Cucumis sativus var. hardwickii PI183967 in C. sativus var. sativus

Cucumis sativus is one of the most cultivated and consumed plants worldwide. To meet the demanding requirements following the rise in population, it is important to maintain and enhance the growth and development of this crop. Recent findings suggest that small open reading frames (sORFs) are associated not only with plant growth but with plant stress responses, especially in the case of drought and salt stress conditions. Hence, in this present study, we aim to determine the function and expression profile reflected in Cucumis sativus var. hardwickii PI183967 sORFs in the variety C. sativus var. sativus through transcriptomic analyses of publicly available RNA-seq datasets of var. sativus. We managed to obtain 14,799 transcribed sORF from the transcriptome datasets of var. sativus. Among these, only 689 (4.66%) transcribed sORF have translational potential. We were able to unveil the roles of transcribed sORFs associated with biological processes (reproductive process, immune response, and multicellular organism reproduction), molecular functions (transferase activity, catalytic activity, acting on a protein, hydrolase activity, and oxidoreductase activity), and cellular component (cytoplasm). KEGG pathway analysis revealed that the transcribed sORFs were significantly enriched in two of the KEGG Ontology (KO) terms, namely, plant-pathogen interaction and plant hormone signal transduction. Results from this study aid the understanding of sORF roles in Cucumis sativus and pave the way for future attempts to utilize these sORFs involved in stress responses to enhance the quality of the crop.

Changes in nutrient composition and gene expression in growing mealworms (Tenebrio molitor)

Abstract Insects are of high interest as a sustainable source of nutrients to be included in the food production system. The larvae of Tenebrio molitor, commonly known as yellow mealworms (MW), have a high protein content, which means potential applications in the animal feed and human food sectors. However, previous reports have shown considerable variability in the nutrient composition of mealworms, which may in part, be due to harvesting at different developmental stages. A better understanding of the regulation of composition during development would potentially facilitate future attempts to manipulate nutrient content, perhaps through gene editing, to maximize commercial value. In the present study, mealworms were harvested at various time points within a 24 day period leading up to the start of pupation. At the earliest time points (between days −24 and −17), a 44% increase in fat content was seen, which was maintained throughout the rest of development. By day −12, protein content fell by 12%, a change that was also maintained. Throughout development there was a change in fatty acid composition, with a shift from oleic acid being the major fatty acid at day −24, to linoleic acid being predominant at later time points. In an attempt to better understand the genetic basis of these changes, an analysis of the transcriptome was undertaken. In the absence of a specific annotated genome for the mealworm, an Affymetrix GeneChip microarray for Drosophila was utilized. The hybridisation of RNA extracted from five developmental stages (larvae and pupae) showed differential gene expression; and some potential orthologs were identified which may be involved in regulating nutrient composition during development. However, we were unable to identify a significant proportion of the most highly regulated genes, highlighting the need for a fully annotated mealworm genome.

Hygiene, Morality, and Power: The Linen Shift as a Colonial Tool in an Ursuline Convent in Seventeenth-Century Quebec

In seventeenth-century colonial New France, an Ursuline convent was established with a mission to convert Indigenous girls to Christianity and assimilate them into French society. The linen chemise, a simple T-shaped undergarment worn across Europe, played an essential role in the nuns’ efforts towards the goals French colonization. Laden with cultural ideas of the body, cleanliness, and purity, the chemise was necessary to make a person Christian as well as culturally and physically French. While ultimately unsuccessful in establishing the physical and cultural uptake of the chemise or French culture in Indigenous communities, the efforts of the Ursuline nuns contributed to the groundwork for imperial justification and future attempts at assimilation of the Indigenous peoples of Canada.

Elevated Level of Small Extracellular Vesicles in the Serum of Patients with Depression, Epilepsy and Epilepsy with Depression

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) properties and sEVs composition are far from being well-studied for now, especially in the context of mental disorders. To elucidate the role of sEVs in disease we performed a quantitative analysis of the blood sEV in patients with focal epilepsy and patients with focal epilepsy with depression, psychogenic non-epileptic seizures with depression, pure depression, and bipolar affective disorder with the current depressive episode (cDE). Small EVs were isolated from the serum by gel filtration or PEG precipitation, and both methods showed very similar results. Subsequently, we precipitated neuronal sEVs and quantified it with several methods. Activity of lysosomal enzymes was determined in the sEVs fraction. The concentration of the blood sEVs in patients with depression, focal epilepsy, or depression with focal epilepsy was higher than in healthy controls. No difference was found between patients and controls in terms of neuronal sEVs concentration. Another finding of our work is that sEVs in the serum of patients contains various lysosomal enzymes. We suppose that the concentration of the blood sEVs in patients with depression or epilepsy is higher due to the sEVs secretion by the immune cells. Finding sEVs in the blood of patients with depression and focal epilepsy grants validity for future attempts to use sEVs as diagnostic tools for these disorders.

Evolution of ethical norms as an element of biopolitics

As a set of legal norms and social institutions, biopolitics did not always imply the dominance of ethical principles as its own basic element. Based on the comparative analysis of the history of the formation of legal approaches to the content of biopolitics in the period of its emergence, the author comes to the conclusion about the transformation of the concept of biopolitics in the XXI century, associated with the inclusion of a basic ethical component in it. Regulation of relations based on a combination of formal legal imperatives and dispositions with ethical institutions generates not only standards of behavior of their participants, conforming to the autonomy of the will with the presumptions of reasonableness and good faith, but also formulates requirements for representatives of the legislative branch aimed at the inadmissibility of the adoption of legislative acts with a non-legal nature, since any future attempts to comply with them are illegal in themselves.