scholarly journals License to Regulate: Noncoding RNA Special Agents in Plant Meiosis and Reproduction

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wojciech Dziegielewski ◽  
Piotr A. Ziolkowski

The complexity of the subcellular processes that take place during meiosis requires a significant remodeling of cellular metabolism and dynamic changes in the organization of chromosomes and the cytoskeleton. Recently, investigations of meiotic transcriptomes have revealed additional noncoding RNA factors (ncRNAs) that directly or indirectly influence the course of meiosis. Plant meiosis is the point at which almost all known noncoding RNA-dependent regulatory pathways meet to influence diverse processes related to cell functioning and division. ncRNAs have been shown to prevent transposon reactivation, create germline-specific DNA methylation patterns, and affect the expression of meiosis-specific genes. They can also influence chromosome-level processes, including the stimulation of chromosome condensation, the definition of centromeric chromatin, and perhaps even the regulation of meiotic recombination. In many cases, our understanding of the mechanisms underlying these processes remains limited. In this review, we will examine how the different functions of each type of ncRNA have been adopted in plants, devoting attention to both well-studied examples and other possible functions about which we can only speculate for now. We will also briefly discuss the most important challenges in the investigation of ncRNAs in plant meiosis.

Author(s):  
You Chen ◽  
Yubo Feng ◽  
Chao Yan ◽  
Xinmeng Zhang ◽  
Cheng Gao

BACKGROUND Adopting non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) can affect COVID-19 growing trends, decrease the number of infected cases, and thus reduce mortality and healthcare demand. Almost all countries in the world have adopted non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to control the spread rate of COVID-19; however, it is unclear what are differences in the effectiveness of NPIs among these countries. OBJECTIVE We hypothesize that COVID-19 case growth data reveals the efficacy of NPIs. In this study, we conduct a secondary analysis of COVID-19 case growth data to compare the differences in the effectiveness of NPIs among 16 representative countries in the world. METHODS This study leverages publicly available data to learn patterns of dynamic changes in the reproduction rate for sixteen countries covering Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Australia, and Africa. Furthermore, we model the relationships between the cumulative number of cases and the dynamic reproduction rate to characterize the effectiveness of the NPIs. We learn four levels of NPIs according to their effects in the control of COVID-19 growth and categorize the 16 countries into the corresponding groups. RESULTS The dynamic changes of the reproduction rate are learned via linear regression models for all of the studied countries, with the average adjusted R-squared at 0.96 and the 95% confidence interval as [0.94 0.98]. China, South Korea, Argentina, and Australia are at the first level of NPIs, which are the most effective. Japan and Egypt are at the second level of NPIs, and Italy, Germany, France, Netherlands, and Spain, are at the third level. The US and UK have the most inefficient NPIs, and they are at the fourth level of NPIs. CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 case growth data provides evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of the NPIs. Understanding the differences in the efficacy of the NPIs among countries in the world can give guidance for emergent public health events. CLINICALTRIAL NA


Author(s):  
Anna Mahtani

Abstract The ex ante Pareto principle has an intuitive pull, and it has been a principle of central importance since Harsanyi’s defence of utilitarianism (to be found in e.g. Harsanyi, Rational behaviour and bargaining equilibrium in games and social situations. CUP, Cambridge, 1977). The principle has been used to criticize and refine a range of positions in welfare economics, including egalitarianism and prioritarianism. But this principle faces a serious problem. I have argued elsewhere (Mahtani, J Philos 114(6):303-323 2017) that the concept of ex ante Pareto superiority is not well defined, because its application in a choice situation concerning a fixed population can depend on how the members of that population are designated. I show in this paper that in almost all cases of policy choice, there will be numerous sets of rival designators for the same fixed population. I explore two ways that we might complete the definition of ex ante Pareto superiority. I call these the ‘supervaluationist’ reading and the ‘subvaluationist’ reading. I reject the subvaluationist reading as uncharitable, and argue that the supervaluationist reading is the most promising interpretation of the ex ante Pareto principle. I end by exploring some of the implications of this principle for prioritarianism and egalitarianism.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yucheng Wang ◽  
Eilis Hannon ◽  
Olivia A Grant ◽  
Tyler J Gorrie-Stone ◽  
Meena Kumari ◽  
...  

AbstractSex is an important covariate of epigenome-wide association studies due to its strong influence on DNA methylation patterns across numerous genomic positions. Nevertheless, many samples on the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) frequently lack a sex annotation or are incorrectly labelled. Considering the influence that sex imposes on DNA methylation patterns, it is necessary to ensure that methods for filtering poor samples and checking of sex assignment are accurate and widely applicable. In this paper, we presented a novel method to predict sex using only DNA methylation density signals, which can be readily applied to almost all DNA methylation datasets of different formats (raw IDATs or text files with only density signals) uploaded to GEO. We identified 4345 significantly (p < 0.01) sex-associated CpG sites present on both 450K and EPIC arrays, and constructed a sex classifier based on the two first components of PCAs from the two sex chromosomes. The proposed method is constructed using whole blood samples and exhibits good performance across a wide range of tissues. We further demonstrated that our method can be used to identify samples with sex chromosome aneuploidy, this function is validated by five Turner syndrome cases and one Klinefelter syndrome case. The proposed method has been integrated into the wateRmelon Bioconductor package.


2021 ◽  
Vol 66 ◽  
pp. 96-102
Author(s):  
V.M. Logoida

The article is devoted to the study of the experience of legal regulation of the legal status of cryptocurrencies and transactions with them in Asian countries (except for the People's Republic of China and Asian countries - members of the Commonwealth of Independent States, as the author examined them in separate publications). In the article the author, based on the study of regulations, administrative and judicial practice of all major countries in this part of the world, emphasizes the divergent trends in cryptocurrency transactions regulation in the region, when some countries move from a liberal approach to the use of cryptocurrencies to their total ban and vice versa. It is noted that almost all countries in the region give a legal assessment of the payment function of cryptocurrencies, using regulatory or prohibitive approaches, depending on the chosen policy, which indirectly confirms their understanding of the legal nature of cryptocurrencies primarily as a means of payment. At the same time, these countries not only categorically distinguish cryptocurrencies from fiat money issued by central banks, but also mostly avoid the official definition of cryptocurrency as private (decentralized) cash, preferring to qualify them as an intangible asset, virtual asset, digital asset, financial value and even a good or service, which is currently a kind of compromise between political expediency and economic realities. The author also notes that the Asian region is characterized by very active attempts to resolve the legal status of cryptocurrencies at the legislative level, and not just administrative or judicial response to the actual legal relationship, although the progress of different countries in this matter is different. As a result, the author concludes that in the Asian countries considered in the article, there is no same view on the legal nature of cryptocurrency, its qualification as an object of civil rights, and ways to regulate transactions with it (libertarian approach, positive-cryptocurrency approach but with detailed government regulation and control or a completely restrictive policy in relation to the cryptocurrency market).


Author(s):  
Deborah Combs ◽  
Brian Nichols

This paper explores how the tax cuts and jobs act of 2017 impacts middle-class taxpayers by calculating the tax liability at different levels of income and deductions in 2017 versus 2018. The results confirm the statements supporting the positive effect of the tax change for the middle class. The tax cut and jobs act eliminates personal exemptions, changes the standard deductions at various incomes and family sizes, and lowers marginal tax rates. After providing details of the act, this research examines the definition of the U.S. middle class by using prior research from the Pew Research Center, the United States Census Bureau, and the federal reserve to determine which income levels are attributable to the middle class. Then the tax liability for these income classes is calculated for single and married filing jointly taxpayers in both 2017 and 2018 to determine if the tax cuts and jobs act reduces the tax liability for the middle class. The results show that in almost all scenarios the tax liability in 2018 will be lower than in 2017, regardless of whether standard or itemized deductions are taken. The marriage penalty is no longer applicable, and the new tax act provides a substantial benefit to large families


1998 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 93-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quentin Gausset

Traditional accounts of the nineteenth-century Fulbe conquest in northern Cameroon tell roughly the same story: following the example of Usman Dan Fodio in Nigeria, the Fulbe of Cameroon organized in the beginning of the nineteenth century a “jihad” or a “holy war” against the local pagan populations to convert them to Islam and create an Islamic state. The divisions among the local populations and the military superiority of the Fulbe allowed them to conquer almost all northern Cameroon. They forced those who submitted to give an annual tribute of goods and servants, and they raided the other groups. In these traditional accounts the Fulbe are presented as unchallenged masters, while the local populations are depicted as slaves who were powerless over their fate; their role in the conquest of the region and in the administration of the new political order is supposed to have been insignificant.I will show that, on the contrary, in the area of Banyo the Wawa and Bute played a crucial role in the conquest of the sultanate and in its administration. I will then re-examine the cliche that all members of the local populations were the slaves of the Fulbe by distinguishing the fate of the Wawa and Bute on one side from that of the Kwanja and Mambila on the other, and by showing the importance of the Fulbe's identity in shaping the definition of slavery. Finally I will argue that, if the historical accounts found in the scientific literature invariably insist on Fulbe hegemony and minimize the role played by the local populations, it is because those accounts are often based on Fulbe traditions, and because these traditions are remodeled by the Fulbe in order to correspond to their discourse on identity.


2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 2144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur Bartels ◽  
Qiang Han ◽  
Pooja Nair ◽  
Liam Stacey ◽  
Hannah Gaynier ◽  
...  

DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification required for transposable element (TE) silencing, genome stability, and genomic imprinting. Although DNA methylation has been intensively studied, the dynamic nature of methylation among different species has just begun to be understood. Here we summarize the recent progress in research on the wide variation of DNA methylation in different plants, organs, tissues, and cells; dynamic changes of methylation are also reported during plant growth and development as well as changes in response to environmental stresses. Overall DNA methylation is quite diverse among species, and it occurs in CG, CHG, and CHH (H = A, C, or T) contexts of genes and TEs in angiosperms. Moderately expressed genes are most likely methylated in gene bodies. Methylation levels decrease significantly just upstream of the transcription start site and around transcription termination sites; its levels in the promoter are inversely correlated with the expression of some genes in plants. Methylation can be altered by different environmental stimuli such as pathogens and abiotic stresses. It is likely that methylation existed in the common eukaryotic ancestor before fungi, plants and animals diverged during evolution. In summary, DNA methylation patterns in angiosperms are complex, dynamic, and an integral part of genome diversity after millions of years of evolution.


2021 ◽  
pp. 43-46
Author(s):  
К.Ю. Досмаганбетова ◽  
А.Б. Исса ◽  
И.Е. Михайлова

В статье «Влияние школы здоровья на лечение пациентов на примере артериальной гипертензии», написанной интернами 7го курса НАО «Национального Медицинского Университета им. С.Д. Асфендиярова» Досмаганбетовой К.Е., Иса А.Б под кураторством ассистента кафедры ВОП2 Михайловой И.Е., представлен обзор на школу здоровья, а именно на ее часть, занимающуюся артериальной гипертензией. Собраны статистические сведения об участниках, дано определение термина «школа здоровья» и рассмотрено её влияние на качество лечения пациентов. На основе полученных данных проведен анализ динамических изменений по части грамотности населения в вопросах «управления» артериальной гипертензией, самочувствия пациентов, частоты обращения за «скорой медицинской помощью» и развития осложнений The article "The infiuence of the School of Health on the treatment of patients on the example of Arterial Hypertension", written by interns of the 7th year of the JSC "S.D. Asfendiyarov National Medical University" Dosmaganbetova K.Y., Issa A. B. under the supervision of the assistant of the GPM-2 department Mikhailova I.E., provides an overview of the school of health, namely, its department dealing with arterial hypertension. The article includes statistical information about the participants, definition of the term "school of health", and information about its impact on the quality of treatment. On the basis of the obtained data, the analysis of dynamic changes in the population's literacy in issues of "management" of arterial hypertension, the well-being of patients, the frequency of seeking "emergency medical care" and the development of complications was carried out.


2021 ◽  
pp. 9-13
Author(s):  
I. V. Izhdeneva

The article actualizes the possibilities of mobile learning based on the use of mobile devices and technologies available to almost all students. Various approaches to the definition of the concept of "mobile learning" are analyzed, including techno-centric and information-centric approaches. The concept of mobility as one of the attributes of learning tools is revealed. The importance of mobile learning in the current difficult situation of distance learning during the pandemic is substantiated. The characteristic features of mobile learning are highlighted, affecting its main functions, learning tools and independence from the time and place of learning. Possible directions for the implementation of mobile learning are characterized, from simple transfer of educational content to compliance with basic educational theories. From the point of view of the functioning and directions of development of mobile learning, its basic principles in teaching informatics are formulated. The types of students' activities are briefly characterized; some advantages of mobile learning are highlighted and its features as visualization, interactivity, efficiency of use in teaching children with disabilities are characterized. Some popular educational apps for mobile devices are considered, their characteristics are given, and their educational potential is revealed. Examples of mobile applications are given, the use of which in informatics lessons will help to activate the educational and cognitive activity of students and stimulate them to engage in informatics, coding and robotics.


Author(s):  
Daria Bukreieva ◽  
◽  
Karina Tupitsyna ◽  
Anna Bolsha ◽  
◽  
...  

The article is devoted to the topical issue of the strategic development of the enterprise in the digital economy. The advantages of enterprises that use the results of the digital economy in their activities have been established. The main characteristics of the digital economy are determined, approaches to the definition of terms are investigated. The state of profitability of Ukrainian enterprises by industry is analyzed on the basis of statistical data. Based on the results of the analysis of statistical data, it was determined that in the conditions of the pandemic and quarantine of the last two years, most sectors of the economy suffered losses. Only those industries that were vital and those that use modern information and digital technologies had a positive financial result of their activities. These calculations showed that it is fundamentally important to introduce digital technologies at enterprises in various sectors of the economy. The article lists the main seven stages of introducing digital technologies into the management activities of enterprises. The above stages of introducing digital technologies into the activities of enterprises are used both for general strategic transformations at enterprises, and for individual management functions. It also reflects the main benefits of introducing digital technologies into strategic planning and profit management in enterprises. The main obstacles that may arise during the implementation of digital technologies are highlighted, among which the main one is associated with the human factor. It is also indicated in the article that almost all enterprises in their activities can start with the introduction of technologies for working with big data, which allow to efficiently process large volumes of information, analyze it and make management decisions based on the results. An analysis of modern research in the field of digital technologies implementation showed that digital technologies are necessary not only in the current activities of an enterprise, but also in strategic and management functions, especially in planning and managing the company's profit.


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