Significant Shift Research Articles

Sensing and regulation of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids pool in marine mollusks: Characterization of UBXD8 from the razor clam Sinonovacula constricta

The razor clam Sinonovacula constricta is known for its richness in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA, C ≥ 20). Previously, we demonstrated that it possesses a complete LC-PUFA biosynthetic pathway. However, the mechanisms by which it senses the LC-PUFA pool to regulate their biosynthesis remain unclear. Here, we presented the LC-PUFA sensor UBXD8 as a critical molecule in this intriguing process. The S. constricta UBXD8 (ScUBXD8) shared all characteristic features of its mammalian counterpart and exhibited high mRNA levels in digestive tissues, suggesting its functional role in this bivalve species. By purification of ScUBXD8 protein in vitro, we discovered its ability to sense unsaturated fatty acids (UFA, C ≥ 14) but not saturated ones, as evidenced by polymerization detection. Furthermore, the intensity of ScUBXD8 polymerization increased progressively with longer acyl chain lengths, greater unsaturation degrees, and higher UFA concentrations. Exceptionally, for those located at the same node in LC-PUFA biosynthetic pathway, ScUBXD8 displayed a stronger sensitivity to n-6 UFA compared to n-3 UFA. These results suggested a critical role for ScUBXD8 in balancing fatty acids composition and ratio of n-6/n-3 UFA in S. constricta. Moreover, the UAS domain was confirmed essential for ScUBXD8 polymerization. Through knockdown of ScUbxd8 gene in vivo, there were significant shifts in expression patterns of genes related to LC-PUFA biosynthesis, concurrently influencing fatty acids compositions. These results suggested that ScUBXD8 likely plays a regulatory role in LC-PUFA biosynthesis, possibly through the INSIG-SREBP pathway. Collectively, this study proposed that S. constricta might maintain LC-PUFA homeostasis through UBXD8 to regulate their biosynthesis.

Monitoring landuse change in Uchhali and Khabeki wetland lakes, Pakistan using remote sensing data

Although it is a globally significant wetland, the ecological environment of Soon valley (Ucchali and Khabeki wetland lakes, Pakistan) is being negatively impacted by the rapid transformation of its land-use change brought about by economic and human activities. Through supervised classification and interpretation, we extract land use categories from Landsat remote sensing images acquired between 1990 and 2020. Using Google Earth Engine with machine learning algorithms (e.g., Smile CART Classifier), we generate four maps depicting different types of land use with a 10-year time horizon. In statistics, Built-up area increased by 18 % between 1990 and 2020, while barren lands declined by 31 %. Wetland and mudflat extent exhibited fluctuations but demonstrated an overall 21 % reduction since 1990. Adopting a land use transfer matrix and a dynamic stance toward land use, this paper examines the factors that led to the change in wetland landuse in Soon Valley (Ucchali and Khabeki wetland lakes, Pakistan). The results show that between 1990 and 2020, there will be a significant shift in the wetland land use types in Soon valley, with a relatively wide change range for builtup land, mudflat and barren land, and an upward trend. Overall, we saw a reduction in wetland and grassland areas, and a sizable amount of land was diverted from other uses. This land was used primarily for building sites, rice paddies, and other dry purposes. From a dynamic standpoint, the range of change was relatively small as compared to the woodland area expanded. Overall, results indicating a gentle transitioning of one type of land use to another, with the mudflat wetland area decreasing first and then increasing. Although the population was not much larger, but played a significant role with precipitation which may be another driver of land use land cover (LULC) change in the Uchhali-Khabeki wetland lakes, as implied by correlation analysis. The foregoing study of LULC remote sensing is valuable for the preservation of Uchhali and khabeki Lake's wetlands and the administration of the lake's land resources.

A Selective Review on Information Criteria in Multiple Change Point Detection.

Change points indicate significant shifts in the statistical properties in data streams at some time points. Detecting change points efficiently and effectively are essential for us to understand the underlying data-generating mechanism in modern data streams with versatile parameter-varying patterns. However, it becomes a highly challenging problem to locate multiple change points in the noisy data. Although the Bayesian information criterion has been proven to be an effective way of selecting multiple change points in an asymptotical sense, its finite sample performance could be deficient. In this article, we have reviewed a list of information criterion-based methods for multiple change point detection, including Akaike information criterion, Bayesian information criterion, minimum description length, and their variants, with the emphasis on their practical applications. Simulation studies are conducted to investigate the actual performance of different information criteria in detecting multiple change points with possible model mis-specification for the practitioners. A case study on the SCADA signals of wind turbines is conducted to demonstrate the actual change point detection power of different information criteria. Finally, some key challenges in the development and application of multiple change point detection are presented for future research work.

Analyzing the Derivational Verb of Indonesian Based on the Derivational Morphology

This research delved deep into the complex and intricate world of derivational verbs in the Indonesian language, with a meticulous analysis of their structure and formation using the lens of derivational morphology. The study scrutinized the systematic rules governing the creation of verbs in Indonesian, exploring the prefixes, suffixes, and root words that significantly shaped their meaning and function. Through advanced linguistic methodologies and extensive data collection, this research aimed to unveil the underlying patterns and principles governing the formation of derivational verbs in Indonesian. The study delved into the intricate web of Indonesian derivational verbs, examining how certain affixes or combinations of affixes could change the meaning of the root word and create an entirely new word. The findings showed that (1) Indonesian verb derivation used a wide range of affixes; these affixes came in various forms, including prefixes like {me(N)-}, {ber-}, {ter-}, and suffixes like {-kan}, {-i}; (2) the use of different affixes with root words resulted in significant semantic shifts, and (3) the significance of affixation patterns and semantic shifts in Indonesian verb derivation was highlighted, which could be used to develop a structured theoretical framework for future linguistic inquiries. The findings of this research offered valuable insights into the language's intricate derivational system, shedding light on the nuanced processes that contributed to the rich tapestry of Indonesian vocabulary. It contributed to a better understanding of the language's syntax, grammar, and partial linguistic structure.

Appraisal of river sediments in southwestern Nigeria with a special focus on trace metals: Occurrence, seasonal variation, sources, and health risks

Metal toxicity can negatively affect aquatic biodiversity. In this study, eight trace metals (TMs) (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were determined in 72 sediment samples collected from six major rivers in Southwestern Nigeria between the dry and wet seasons of 2019 and 2021by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Pollution indices such as enrichment factor, geo accumulation index, pollution load index, and potential ecological risk index were evaluated. At both seasons, the mean TM concentrations (mg/kg) followed a similar trend in decreasing order as Cu (589.32 ± 582.00) > Fe (269.52 ± 127.09) > Zn (162.68 ± 103.14) > Mn (61.89 ± 29.87) > Pb (10.09 ± 5.34) > Cd (8.59 ± 2.20) > Cr (8.72 ± 2.60) > Ni (3.16 ± 1.55) across locations and seasons. Distinctive distribution profiles characterized individual metals coupled with significant seasonal shifts in concentration (p < 0.05). Comparison with recommended national limits for Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn suggested potential human and ecosystem health risks for the local population, while all the metals are above US EPA residential criteria. Cd displayed considerable, or very high ecological risks across all locations and seasons. Overall, Cd was considered a key potential ecological risk factor. Data revealed more anthropogenic than natural sources influenced sediment-bound TMs based on principal component analysis (PCA) and positive matrix factorization (PMF). The findings in this report provide fundamental information that would allow more effective monitoring through the establishment of critical policies and measures to reduce TMs levels in the environment.

Responsible AI in Farming: A Multi-Criteria Framework for Sustainable Technology Design

The continuous fusion of artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous farming machinery (e.g., drones and field robots) provides a significant shift in the daily work experience of farmers. Faced with new technological developments, many risks and opportunities arise that need to be carefully translated into technological requirements to enable a sustainable production environment. Analyzing the complex relationship between social, ecological, and technological dependencies is a crucial step to understanding the different perspectives and systemic effects of technological functionalities. By providing a comprehensive overview of the state of the art, this article qualitatively analyzes the potential impact of AI on the autonomy of farmers and the technological developments to mitigate the risks. Fair data management practices, transparent AI approaches, and designs for an intuitive user experience are presented as key mechanisms for supporting responsible model development. Based on the defined social, technological, and ecological challenges in AI development, the knowledge to provide a high-level framework for the responsible creation of AI technologies is further systematized. By focusing on the multifaceted relationships and their effects on the autonomy of farmers, this article exemplifies the complex design decisions that must be faced in creating trustworthy and responsible AI tools.

Studying industrial financial portfolio perspectives - BOXPI for the environmental transition of China.

To ease the process of environmental transformation, this study thoroughly examines industrial, financial portfolio views using the novel BOXPI framework. This study uses a secondary data research methodology to investigate how investors have adjusted their portfolios in light of urgent ecological concerns. It uses case studies from various sectors to illuminate the intersection of economics, ecology, and corporate responsibility. This study highlights the need to balance economic goals and environmental concerns, revealing potential routes to sustainable growth. Industries, investors, and legislators are all affected somehow, which can only lead to better, more sustainable decisions overall. Policymakers, financial institutions, and industry stakeholders are navigating this vital confluence of environmental transition; the research might give significant insights and ideas to help them. Future research might look at the long-term financial resilience of sectors undergoing significant environmental shifts or investigate the unique consequences of specific financial instruments.

Co-Design and Energy Management for Future Vessels

The maritime industry is undergoing a significant shift towards more sustainable and efficient forms of transportation. As a result, designing Power, Propulsion and Energy (PPE) Systems for future vessels presents new challenges that require a systematic approach that reduces the risk in development and implementation. This paper focuses on three aspects of such a systematic approach: Model-Based System Engineering (MBSE), Co-design, and Verification and Validation. The MBSE approach can be used to mitigate the risks associated with the transition by maintaining a clear traceability of user needs, functional requirements and physical realizations. A rigorous needs analysis and functional design reduces the optimisation design space that results in a significant reduction in the complexity of a design optimisation problem. Further, co-design is discussed as a methodology for a combined optimisation of the hardware and software design where the Modular Energy Management approach supports automated controller generation for the optimisation, a key challenge when optimising PPE systems. An important aspect of the MBSE approach is the use of models for the verification and validation of the developed designs. However, the successful use of models is contingent on their applicability. This paper proposes a way to categorise model confidence for verification and validation studies.

The Disillusionment of the American Dream in "The Great Gatsby"

F. Scott Fitzgerald is regarded as the spokesman of the American "Jazz Age." "Jazz Age" denotes the temporal span, including 1919 to 1929. The economy flourished during this particular period in American history, leading to a significant shift in societal ideals. Consequently, a discernible decline emerged in individuals' cognitive and ethical faculties. The Great Gatsby, a literary work that portrays the terrible existence of Gatsby and carries notable scholarly and pragmatic ramifications, symbolizes the disintegration of the "American Dream." The cohort of individuals in the United States, commonly called the "lost generation" during the 1920s, saw a notable discrepancy between their aspirational objectives and the prevailing realities of their day. This study examines the fundamental significance of Gatsby's interpretation of the "American Dream" and uncovers the inescapable inevitability of Gatsby's sad demise and the disillusionment associated with the "American Dream" through a thorough analysis of the primary textual elements inside the novel. The primary aim of this essay is to enhance readers' understanding of the widespread appeal of riches and worldly possessions while encouraging them to reflect on the development of moral, healthful, and dynamic principles.

Evaluating Preconception Health and Behaviour Change in Australian Women Planning a Pregnancy: The OptimalMe Program, a Digital Healthy Lifestyle Intervention with Remotely Delivered Coaching.

OptimalMe is a digital healthy lifestyle intervention for women planning a pregnancy, with remotely delivered coaching. This follow-up study of Australian women, stratified by coaching delivery mode (phone vs. videoconferencing), assessed alignment to preconception care guidelines and self-reported behaviour change. Overall, 298 women enrolled with a mean (SD) age of 31.8 (4.3) years and mean BMI of 25.7 (6.1) kg/m2. Suboptimal preconception behaviours were reported at baseline, including alcohol consumption (57.2%), infrequent weighing (37.2%) and incomplete cervical cancer screening (15.8%) and prenatal supplementation (38.5). At follow-up (4.5 months) (n = 217), a statistically significant shift towards desired behaviours was reported for alcohol consumption (z = -2.6045, p = 0.00932), preconception supplementation (z = -2.7288, p = 0.00634) and frequent weight monitoring (z = -5.2911, p < 0.00001). An insignificant shift towards adherence to cervical cancer screening (z = -1.8679, p = 0.06148) was observed, with a positive trend towards adherence. Results indicate that women who are actively planning a pregnancy require support to optimise health and lifestyle in preparation for pregnancy and general health and lifestyle improvement. Women demonstrated improvement in lifestyle behaviours and self-monitoring, indicating the uptake of low-intensity, non-prescriptive information provision. Supporting the provision of knowledge-enhancing tools and general healthy lifestyle information combines with skilled health coaching as an effective method for behaviour change and self-management. OptimalMe also shows significant improvements in rates of healthcare engagement, which suggests coaching-based digital health interventions may decrease women's barriers for preconception care and improve engagement in clinical settings.

An evaluation of the five rights antibiotic safety before and during COVID-19 at an NHS Foundation Trust in the United Kingdom

IntroductionAntimicrobial Resistance (AMR) poses a significant global health threat, with AMR-related deaths projected to reach 10 million annually by 2050. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated this crisis. This study focuses on evaluating the 'Five Rights of Antibiotic Safety' in an NHS Foundation Trust in England, assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on antibiotic prescribing and Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) practices in 2019 and 2020. MethodsA cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted, focusing on adult patients aged 25 and older admitted to the NHS Foundation Trust and prescribed antibiotics for respiratory tract infections in 2019 and 2020. The study involved a retrospective review of 640 patient records, using descriptive analysis to evaluate the adherence to the ‘Five Rights of Antibiotics’ and assess the impact of COVID-19 on antibiotic safety practices. ResultsThe study observed significant shifts in antibiotic prescribing practices during the study period. There was an increase in instances of inappropriate dosing and route of administration, alongside a slight improvement in prescribing durations. The study also noted a stable rate of appropriate antibiotic selection according to antimicrobial guidelines, indicating a concerning rise in inappropriate prescribing patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic. ConclusionThe study revealed notable changes in antibiotic prescribing practices during the COVID-19 pandemic, advocating the importance of robust AMS to ensure appropriate use of antibiotics. The findings highlight the need for enhanced AMS educational initiatives and systematic oversight to combat AMR and protect public health in future health crises.

How does environmental legislation affect enterprise investment preferences? A quasi-natural experiment based on China's new environmental protection law

China's New Environmental Protection Law (NEPL) represents a significant shift from the traditional administration to environmental legalization. Polluting enterprises face more pronounced contradictions between short-term environmental compliance and long-term development. Therefore, based on the CNRDS and CSMAR databases, this paper uses the 2015 NEPL as a quasi-natural experiment to investigate the micro-effects and mechanisms of environmental legislation on firms' investment preferences and environmental performance. The main findings of this paper are as follows. (1) The implementation of the NEPL effectively promotes the key pollutant-discharge enterprises (PDEs) to increase similar financial and environmental investment, and furthermore, the endogenous financing attributes of short-term financial investments can also provide financing for long-term environmental investment. This is due to the "reservoir" motive and the improvement in the executives' environmental awareness and green attention. (2) The NEPL exhibits heterogeneous policy effects. The key PDEs with political connections are more concerned about environmental management and investment. However, the NEPL's positive impact on environmental investment is weakened in regions with high levels of environmental justice. (3) A shift in the key PDEs' investment structure triggers a series of economic and environmental effects, such as increasing their risk-taking capacity, reducing environmental uncertainty, and significantly improving green patents. This paper provides policy implications for the process of environmental legalization in China and other developing countries.

The Reinforced Effect of Integrating New Media and Local Urban Broadcasting

With the rapid advancements in information technology and the onset of the digital age, local urban broadcasting media in China, exemplified by radio stations, confront a slew of challenges and pressures. These range from competition with new media services, online broadcasting, and a myriad of digital media platforms. Yet, amidst these challenges lies the question of how local media can transition successfully in this new media era. Taking Haikou Music Broadcasting 916 as a representative case, this paper delves into the current predicaments faced by local radio stations. Moreover, it highlights strategies leveraging new media ideologies for transformation. The broader context involves a significant shift in listener demographics and preferences, underscored by the decline in traditional radio audience size and the parallel rise in smart device listenership. As local broadcasting stations grapple with these shifts, their strategic responsesincluding content diversification, multi-platform engagement, and offline event integrationsbecome pivotal. This research encapsulates these dynamics, offering insights into the evolving landscape of local urban broadcasting in China and presenting a roadmap for traditional media entities striving to remain relevant and impactful in the digital age.

The Emergence of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and its Impact on International Trade

Trade as we know it will change. This is because the fourth industrial revolution—a period of rapid digital technological advancement—is beginning to impact the world. Coined in Germany as Industry 4.0, despite its name, this revolution is a process of emerging technologies established on older ones. Industry 4.0 represents the fusion of primarily digital developing technologies. This article examines the effects of Industry 4.0 and its revolutionary changes on the volume and nature of global trade, and identifies its quantitative, structural, and comparative impacts on countries and corporations using qualitative methods.. Implementing the core developments of Industry 4.0 will significantly change international trade volume and structure. There will be a significant shift toward services. The goods to gain prominence due to digitalization will mainly be those with high transportation, logistics, data, legislation, and transaction costs. Applying new technologies will also significantly alter the terms of trade. Keywords: Industrial revolution 4.0, International trade, Digital technology

Police legitimacy in the making: the underlying social forces for police legitimacy among religious communities

ABSTRACT Literature focusing on race and policing has consistently reported a decline in recent years in police legitimacy among minority communities. Yet, the effect of religion on policing has not received similar attention. A focus on police-Haredi community relations provides an opportunity to explore how a religious community might present positive change in police legitimacy, indicated by trust and cooperation. Utilising a mixed method approach, this study aims to (a) clarify what role religion plays in police legitimacy, as distinguished from race or ethnicity; and (b) identify major social forces that shape police legitimacy as a collective and historic phenomenon. The findings highlight the complex interplay of religious constraints, cultural integration, and police legitimacy, showcasing a gradual, yet significant shift in the Haredi community's approach to law enforcement and societal engagement. The study suggests that religion may be a negotiable factor, and that legitimacy fluctuates along with movements of modernisation. The findings are further theorised and discussed along with directions for future investigation.

Video as an interventional tool for bridging the gap in anatomy knowledge of medical postgraduates

PurposeThe teaching and learning of anatomy has experienced a significant paradigm shift. The present study assessed the level of knowledge in anatomy in medical postgraduate students and explored the impact of interventions in the form of anatomical videos on knowledge obtained. An awareness of the importance of human anatomy for clinical skills was created to ensure a certain level of competence be achieved by the end of the anatomy course.Design/methodology/approachPostgraduate medical students were recruited from various specialties on voluntary basis. The first step was to conduct a preliminary screening exam to determine the level of anatomical knowledge. The students were then divided into two groups at random, one of which received no intervention (the control group), and the other of which watched the videos with content that was pertinent to the practical demonstrations (intervention). To assess the effects of the video intervention, a post-test was administered to all students.FindingsBoth spot tests (SPOTs) and short answer question (SAQ) components for scores of all the regions from the intervention groups were comparable to the scores obtained by the post-test control group, although the findings were not significant (p &gt; 0.05). However, the intervention group from the abdomen (ABD) region did perform significantly better (p &lt; 0.05) than the screening test score.Originality/valueThe results of the research study imply that interventions like anatomical videos can bridge the postgraduate trainee’s anatomy knowledge gap in a practical method which will immensely help in increasing their knowledge.

Dielectric and chemical composition characterization of ground water collected from different water sources

Dielectric characterization of water samples, of different water sources such as borewell and step well located at three different places of the Gujarat State were carried out. Complex permittivity (ε′, εʺ) of the distilled water (DW) and water samples were measured over a frequency range from 20 Hz to 2 MHz using a precision LCR meter at room temperature (T = 298.15 K). Although the spectral response of ε′ and εʺ for all samples and DW was identical, it exhibited significant shift with respect to that of distilled water. Therefore, we adopted a novel approach, in which frequency dependent ε′ and ε′′ values of all the samples were normalized with respect to those of the distilled water. When normalized ε′ and εʺ values were plotted against frequency it exhibited well defined characteristic frequencies. These frequencies were found to vary with sample types. Chemical compositional analysis of the samples was also carried out. Correlation between various parameters derived from complex permittivity data and dissolved salts in the sample (measured by chemical compositional analysis) was established.

Trajectories of Mizo tribal historiography

The British colonizers, while writing about Mizoram and Mizo history, stressed their achievements in uplifting the Mizo community. Christian missionaries from Wales landed in Mizoram after the British colonizers annexed the land. They also followed the British administrators’ patronizing way of writing Mizo history. They saw the Mizo people as savage, and unsaved who needed the Gospel. They viewed Mizo society as one that needed a complete transformation. The first-generation Mizo Christians, too, looked at Mizo society from the Western lens. That was because missionaries trained them to be as Western as possible. A significant shift in Mizo Christian historiography emerged in the 1990s, emphasizing that tribal communities accepted Jesus Christ not because of external factors such as the arrival of missionaries from a foreign country, but because God resides in their hearts and that the Holy Spirit inspired them to believe in Jesus Christ, whoever the agent was.

An Investigation of the Effects of Out-of-School Learning Environments-Based Teaching on Pedagogical Belief Systems and Practices

In out-of-school-learning (OSL) environments, individuals are exposed to tasks that are not excessively difficult, and as a result, they gain experience rather than knowledge. Through the experiences that will be provided to teacher candidates, this situation can affect their pedagogical beliefs and attitudes toward classroom practices. This study investigated the impact of experiencing learner-centered processes in OSL environments on teacher candidates’ pedagogical beliefs and classroom practices attitudes. According to the findings, while teaching in OSL environments led to a change in the pedagogical beliefs of teacher candidates, it did not result in a significant shift in their attitudes toward classroom practices. In the context of research conducted on teacher candidates, it is beneficial to explore the mediating elements that may influence the relation between belief and practice. This approach may contribute to a more thorough understanding of the subject matter.

Key trends in the global biotechnology market

The global biotechnology market is is experiencing a dynamic transformation, showing a substantial upswing and diversification. The main trends forming this sector are considered in detail in this study in terms of extensive data collection and reliable analytical techniques. The main conclusions point to sustained growth in the market with a significant shift towards the Asia-Pacific region. Therapeutic advances, such as those in regenerative and personalized medicine, provide revolutionary approaches to healthcare. Simultaneously, agricultural biotechnologies are becoming a beacon of light for the challenges of food security and climate change. Due to the combination of biotechnology with digital tools, it foretells a new era of interdisciplinary research to facilitate rapid discoveries. However, the rapid pace of innovations necessitates vigilant and adaptive regulatory frameworks. This article reports on the multidimensional nature of the biotechnology landscape, highlighting its potential in forming a sustainable, healthy, and equitable future.