scholarly journals SCAR MARKER DEVELOPMENT FOR THE CORRECT IDENTIFICATION OF IRIS ENSATA

Author(s):  
Mohd Mughees ◽  
Shipra Rani Jha ◽  
Javed Ahmad ◽  
Altaf Ahmad

Objective: The objective of this research was to develop the RAPD based SCAR marker for the correct identification of the Iris ensata Thunb. (I. ensata) plant from its adulterants.Methods: Five samples of I. ensata. from the different geographical area were used in this study. The plant genomic DNA was isolated with the CTAB method with some modification (as dried samples were also used). After that, polymorphism was checked with the help of the 10-mer random primers of OPAA and BG series. Then, the bands of interest were eluted and cloned into pGEMT easy vector for the sequencing. Finally, the sequence is used to develop the SCAR primers (Ir-f andIr-R) specific for I. ensata and the developed primers also validated with respect to the market samples.Results: A putative 580 bp sequence specific for Iris ensata was identified from the randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. To overcome the main limitation of RAPD it has been converted into SCAR markers. So that, this specific band was then eluted, cloned and sequenced. After that, SCAR primers (Ir-F and Ir-R) were synthesized by using this sequence. For the validation of the synthesized SCAR primers, they were tested with respect to the market samples. The amplicon of 260 bp was produced by the SCAR primers in the authentic I. ensata but market samples did not produce any bands with the synthesized SCAR primers.Conclusion: The results of this study show a high level of polymorphism in the RAPD pattern of the different accessions of the plant. Furthermore, this study results in the successful development of the RAPD based SCAR marker for the identification of the I. ensata.

Author(s):  
Сергей Иванович Вележев ◽  
Антон Михайлович Седогин

В представленной статье авторами рассматриваются вопросы уголовно-правовой охраны топливно-энергетического комплекса Российской Федерации от преступных проявлений, в том числе от коррупционной противоправной деятельности должностных лиц. Такие действия причиняют значительный ущерб нормальному функционированию предприятий топливно-энергетического комплекса. Авторами приводятся результаты исследования некоторых криминологических характеристик должностных лиц, совершивших преступления коррупционного характера. Дан анализ причин и условий, способствующих совершению вышеуказанных противоправных действий. Определена типовая модель преступника для данной категории преступлений и его характеристики: в первую очередь, это высокий уровень компетентности, специальное образование и т. д. Авторами отмечается высокий уровень латентной преступности в данной отрасли. Предложены некоторые пути профилактики данной категории правонарушений. Исследование проводилось на основе анализа конкретных уголовных дел, возбужденных следственными органами по результатам оперативно-розыскной деятельности правоохранительных органов. In the article the authors consider the issues of criminal and legal protection of the fuel and energy complex of the Russian Federation from criminal activity including corrupt illegal practices of officials. The authors cite the results of some criminological characteristics study of the fuel and energy complex staff committed corruption crimes. As a result of these illegal actions significant damage is caused to the normal functioning of the fuel and energy enterprises. Such officials` actions determine not only a wide range of other illegal activities, but also lead to public outcry and discredit the industry as a whole. The analysis of the reasons and conditions contributing to the above illegal actions commission is given. A typical model of a criminal for a given crime category and its characteristics are determined. First of all it is a high level competence, special education, etc. A high level of latent crime in this industry is shown. The study results are presented on the example of specific criminal cases initiated by the investigating authorities based on the results of the operation detection activities of law enforcement agencies. Some ways of preventing this category of offenses are proposed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyösti Tahkola ◽  
Maarit Ahtiainen ◽  
Jukka-Pekka Mecklin ◽  
Ilmo Kellokumpu ◽  
Johanna Laukkarinen ◽  
...  

AbstractHyaluronan (HA) accumulation has been associated with poor survival in various cancers, but the mechanisms for this phenomenon are still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of stromal HA accumulation and its association with host immune response in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The study material consisted of 101 radically treated patients for PDAC from a single geographical area. HA staining was evaluated using a HA-specific probe, and the patterns of CD3, CD8, CD73 and PD-L1 expression were evaluated using immunohistochemistry. HA staining intensity of tumour stromal areas was assessed digitally using QuPath. CD3- and CD8-based immune cell score (ICS) was determined. High-level stromal HA expression was significantly associated with poor disease-specific survival (p = 0.037) and overall survival (p = 0.013) In multivariate analysis, high-level stromal HA expression was an independent negative prognostic factor together with histopathological grade, TNM stage, CD73 positivity in tumour cells and low ICS. Moreover, high-level stromal HA expression was associated with low ICS (p = 0.017). In conclusion, stromal HA accumulation is associated with poor survival and low immune response in PDAC.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e044622
Author(s):  
Catherine Heeney ◽  
Stephen Malden ◽  
Aziz Sheikh

IntroductionElectronic prescribing (ePrescribing) is a key area of development and investment in the UK and across the developed world. ePrescribing is widely understood as a vehicle for tackling medication-related safety concerns, improving care quality and making more efficient use of health resources. Nevertheless, implementation of an electronic health record does not itself ensure benefits for prescribing are maximised. We examine the process of optimisation of ePrescribing systems using case studies to provide policy recommendations based on the experiences of digitally mature hospital sites.Methods and analysisQualitative interviews within six digitally mature sites will be carried out. The aim is to capture successful optimisation of electronic prescribing (ePrescribing) in particular health systems and hospitals. We have identified hospital sites in the UK and in three other developed countries. We used a combination of literature reviews and advice from experts at Optimising ePrescribing in Hospitals (eP Opt) Project round-table events. Sites were purposively selected based on geographical area, innovative work in ePrescribing/electronic health (eHealth) and potential transferability of practices to the UK setting. Interviews will be recorded and transcribed and transcripts coded thematically using NVivo software. Relevant policy and governance documents will be analysed, where available. Planned site visits were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Ethics and disseminationThe Usher Research Ethics Group granted approval for this study. Results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed journals in medical informatics and expert round-table events, lay member meetings and the ePrescribing Toolkit (http://www.eprescribingtoolkit.com/)—an online resource supporting National Health Service (NHS) hospitals through the ePrescribing process.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7109
Author(s):  
Gabriela Dima ◽  
Luiza Meseșan Schmitz ◽  
Marinela-Cristina Șimon

This paper aimed to explore the changes posed by the new COVID-19 pandemic to the field of social work and its impact on social workers in terms of job stress and burnout in Romania. Two conceptual models were used to frame the discussion: the theoretical framework of VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity) to discuss the challenges that the unprecedented context of the COVID-19 pandemic has created for social workers; and the Job Demands and Resources model (JD-R) to understand job demands perceived as stressors and burnout. Based on convergent mixed methods, the study sample consisted of 83 social workers employed in statutory and private social services in Romania, from different areas of intervention. Results showed that social workers perceived a high level of job stress related to work during the pandemic, which was associated with higher levels of burnout in the areas of personal burnout (average score 55.9) and work-related burnout (average score 52.5). Client-related burnout was lower (average score 38.4), indicating that stress was generated mainly by organisational factors and work-related factors (workload, aligning to new legislative rules and decisions, inconsistency, instability, ambiguity of managerial decisions, and lack of clarity of working procedures) and less by client-related stressors (lack of direct contact with clients, risk of contamination, managing beneficiaries’ fears, and difficulties related to technology). High job demands and limited job resources (managerial and supervisory support, financial resources, and recognition and reward) led to a high to very high level of work-related burnout for 15.7% and an upper-medium level for 44.2% of respondents. A group of 27.7% reported lower to medium levels of work-related burnout, while 14.5% had very low levels, managing to handle stress factors in a healthy manner. Study results pointed to the importance of organisational support and the development of a self-care plan that help to protect against job stress and burnout. Recommendations were made, putting forward the voice of fieldworkers and managers fostering initiatives and the application of sustainability-based measures and activities designed to deal with the challenges of the VUCA environment.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramaraj Palanisamy ◽  
Yang Wu

Purpose This study/ paper aims to empirically examine the user attitude on perceived security of enterprise systems (ES) mobility. Organizations are adopting mobile technologies for various business applications including ES to increase the flexibility and to gain sustainable competitive advantage. At the same time, end-users are exposed to security issues when using mobile technologies. The ES have seen breaches and malicious intrusions thereby more sophisticated recreational and commercial cybercrimes have been witnessed. ES have seen data breaches and malicious intrusions leading to more sophisticated cybercrimes. Considering the significance of security in ES mobility, the research questions in this study are: What are the security issues of ES mobility? What are the influences of users’ attitude towards those security issues? What is the impact of users’ attitude towards security issues on perceived security of ES mobility? Design/methodology/approach These questions are addressed by empirically testing a security model of mobile ES by collecting data from users of ES mobile systems. Hypotheses were evolved and tested by data collected through a survey questionnaire. The questionnaire survey was administered to 331 users from Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). The data was statistically analysed by tools such as correlation, factor analysis, regression and the study built a structural equation model (SEM) to examine the interactions between the variables. Findings The study results have identified the following security issues: users’ attitude towards mobile device security issues; users’ attitude towards wireless network security issues; users’ attitude towards cloud computing security issues; users’ attitude towards application-level security issues; users’ attitude towards data (access) level security issues; and users’ attitude towards enterprise-level security issues. Research limitations/implications The study results are based on a sample of users from Chinese SMEs. The findings may lack generalizability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to examine the model in a different context. The issues requiring further investigation are the role of gender and type of device on perceived security of ES mobile systems. Practical implications The results show that the key security issues are related to a mobile device, wireless network, cloud computing, applications, data and enterprise. By understanding these issues and the best practices, organizations can maintain a high level of security of their mobile ES. Social implications Apart from understanding the best practices and the key issues, the authors suggest management and end-users to work collaboratively to achieve a high level of security of the mobile ES. Originality/value This is an empirical study conducted from the users’ perspective for validating the set of research hypotheses related to key security issues on the perceived security of mobile ES.


Author(s):  
Abd AlKhaleq Muhammad Al-Zyoud

This study aimed at exploring the level of academic freedom at the Hashemite University in Jordan from the perspective of the undergraduate students, and whether there are impacts of the students’ gender, academic level, or specialization. The sample consisted of (376) undergraduate students (111 male, 265 female), who are registered at the university for the first semester of the academic year 2019/2020, from all faculties of the Hashemite University. The results showed that 25.5% of participants perceived a high level of academic freedom, 57.2% of participants perceived a moderate level, and 17.3% of them perceived a low level. Significant differences were found due to academic level; academic freedom perceived level among senior students was higher than all other years (freshmen, sophomores and juniors), but no significant differences were found due to students’ gender, or specialization. In light of the study results, the researcher recommends a number of recommendations such as: raising the awareness about the academic freedom among the students, faculty members, and the staff the Jordanian universities, conducting survey studies that measure the level of academic freedom among the students at various Jordanian universities, Supporting the academic freedom of the students at the institutions of higher education through deliberate and planned initiatives.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 96
Author(s):  
Odeh Suleiman Murad

People with social anxiety demonstrate different behavioral aspects such as nervousness, apprehension, fear, and concern that negatively affect their personal traits and self-esteem. The current study is designed to identify the relationship between social anxiety and self-esteem among university students. To achieve this purpose, the descriptive correlation approach was utilized. Social anxiety and self-esteem scales were applied to a sample of 334 university students in Jordan. The study results revealed a low level of social anxiety and a high level of self-esteem among participants. In addition, there was a statistically significant negative correlation between the level of social anxiety and self-esteem among participants. The study recommended holding workshops and seminars for fresh students at the beginning of each academic year, to alleviate their feeling of stress and social anxiety and to raise the level of their self-esteem.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quan-Hoang Vuong ◽  
Thanh-Hang Pham ◽  
Trung Tran ◽  
Thu-Trang Vuong ◽  
Nguyen Manh Cuong ◽  
...  

United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 4 Quality Education has highlighted major challenges for all nations to ensure inclusive and equitable quality access to education, facilities for children, and young adults. The SDG4 is even more important for developing nations as receiving proper education or vocational training, especially in science and technology, means a foundational step in improving other aspects of their citizens’ lives. However, the extant scientific literature about STEM education still lacks focus on developing countries, even more so in the rural area. Using a dataset of 4967 observations of junior high school students from a rural area in a transition economy, the article employs the Bayesian approach to identify the interaction between gender, socioeconomic status, and students’ STEM academic achievements. The results report gender has little association with STEM academic achievements; however, female students (αa_Sex[2] = 2.83) appear to have achieved better results than their male counterparts (αa_Sex[1] = 2.68). Families with better economic status, parents with a high level of education (βb(EduMot) = 0.07), or non-manual jobs (αa_SexPJ[4] = 3.25) are found to be correlated with better study results. On the contrary, students with zero (βb(OnlyChi) = -0.14) or more than two siblings (βb(NumberofChi) = -0.01) are correlated with lower study results compared to those with only one sibling. These results imply the importance of providing women with opportunities for better education. Policymakers should also consider maintaining family size so the parents can provide their resources to each child equally.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Michaella Prawatya

<p>The Nursery Sunday School of GBI Tanah Abang was accustomed to share God’s words by story telling method. Nevertheless, the method raised issues, where the children easily got bored and their faith as well as social behavior were not improved. Based on those issues, the teacher was eager to look for improvement by carrying out classroom action research through active play method. This study aimed at: (1) describing the implementation of active playing method, (2) analyzing children’s faith and social behaviors, (3) identifying the obstacles of active-play method’s implementation. Prior to this study, seven children were chosen as research subjects to participate in three cycles. The data was obtained by observation, field notes, teacher’s interview, lesson plan documentation, and parents’ questionnaires. The study results: (1) improving actions are done according to the active playing method sequences with improvements on the next cycle (2) 86% of all students achieve high level of faith behavior (3) 71% of all students reach intermediate to high level of social behavior (4) arising obstacles are the limitations of students in communication, lack of knowledge and preparation of teachers regarding to playing method, learning time constraints, as well as the limitations of existing facilities.</p><p><strong>BAHASA INDONESIA ABSTRACT: </strong>Sekolah minggu GBI Tanah Abang memiliki kelas untuk anak usia Balita, di mana, firman Tuhan biasa dibagikan dengan menggunakan metode bercerita. Namun hal tersebut membuat anak-anak cepat bosan serta iman dan perilaku sosialnya tidak berkembang. Berdasarkan kerisauan guru tersebut maka dilakukan tindakan perbaikan berupa penelitian tindakan kelas dengan menerapkan metode bermain. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah: (1) mendeskripsikan penerapan metode bermain, (2) menganalisis perilaku iman dan sosial anak, (3) mengidentifikasi kendala-kendala dalam penerapan metode bermain. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan dalam tiga siklus, dengan subjek tujuh anak. Data didapat melalui  observasi, catatan lapangan, wawancara guru, dokumentasi RPP, dan kuesioner kepada orang tua. Setelah itu data dianalisis secara kualitatif deskriptif. Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan: (1) tindakan perbaikan dilakukan sesuai dengan langkah metode bermain dengan penyempurnaan pada siklus berikutnya, (2) terlihat peningkatan perilaku iman hingga 86% siswa mencapai tingkat tinggi, (3) terlihat peningkatan perilaku sosial hingga 71% siswa mencapai tingkat sedang hingga tinggi, (4) kendala-kendala yang dihadapi antara lain keterbatasan siswa dalam berkomunikasi, kurangnya pengetahuan dan persiapan guru mengenai metode bermain, keterbatasan waktu pembelajaran, serta keterbatasan fasilitas yang ada.</p>


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Wilson ◽  
Janet Hoek ◽  
Nhung Nghiem ◽  
Jennifer Summers ◽  
Leah Grout ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTAimTo provide preliminary high-level modelling estimates of the impact of denicotinisation of tobacco on changes in smoking prevalence in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ).MethodsAn Excel spreadsheet was populated with smoking/vaping prevalence data from the NZ Health Survey and business-as-usual trends projected. Using various parameters from the literature (NZ trial data, NZ EASE-ITC Study results), we modelled the impact of denicotinisation of tobacco (with no other tobacco permitted for sale) out to 2025, the year of this country’s Smokefree Goal. Scenario 1 used estimates from a published expert knowledge elicitation process, and Scenario 2 considered the addition of extra mass media campaign and quitline support to the base case.ResultsWith the denicotinisation intervention, adult daily smoking prevalences were all estimated to decline to under 5% in 2025 for non-Māori and in one scenario for Māori (Indigenous population) (2.5% in Scenario 1). However, prevalence did not fall below five percent in the base case for Māori (7.7%) or with Scenario 2 (5.2%). In the base case, vaping was estimated to increase to 7.9% in the adult population in 2025, and up to 10.7% in one scenario (Scenario 1).ConclusionsThis preliminary, high-level modelling suggests a mandated denicotinisation policy for could provide a realistic chance of achieving the NZ Government’s Smokefree 2025 Goal. The probability of success would further increase if supplemented with other interventions such as mass media campaigns with Quitline support (especially if targeted for a predominantly Māori audience). Nevertheless, there is much uncertainty with these preliminary high-level results and more sophisticated modelling is highly desirable.


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