Plant Biology Experimental Courses in Universities: Status Quo, Limitations and Prospects

Plant biology, as a significant compulsory course for biological science students, is intuitive and practical, which plays a unique role in improving students' comprehensive quality and cultivating their innovation ability. Because of its strong practical characteristics, the experimental course is of great necessity in the study of this course. This paper analyzes the traditional teaching mode of plant biology experiment, as well as its shortcomings in modern teaching, and puts forward diversified reform methods based on the development of contemporary plant biology to promote the teaching mode of plant biology experiment to meet the needs of contemporary students on this subject. Based on the rapid development of modern science and technology, this paper includes the teaching contents, teaching methods, and assessment system of plant biology experiments, and discusses them respectively. This paper aims to improve the teaching efficiency of modern plant biology experiments and help to achieve the goal of efficiently improving students' innovation and scientific research ability.

Smartphones and Learning: An Extension of M-Learning or a Distinct Area of Inquiry

The smartphone has become an integral part of the education landscape. While there has been significant smartphone research in education under the guise of m-learning, the unique role of the device suggests that m-learning may not be an appropriate characterization. The purpose of this paper is to review the use of m-learning as a primary descriptor for smartphone- and learning-related research. In support of this goal, the paper reviews the definitions associated with m-learning, smartphones, and related technologies from the perspective of educational research. In addition, a review of author keywords of research on smartphones in education is used to provide context to the classification of the research. Finally, three theoretically guided smartphone programs are presented as evidence of the unique nature of smartphone and learning research. This review concludes with recommendations for the characterization of future research.

X-linked intellectual disability mutations alter the conformational state of a histone demethylase's sensing of chromatin

The H3K4me3 chromatin modification, a hallmark of promoters of actively transcribed genes, is dynamically removed by the KDM5 family of histone demethylases. The KDM5 demethylases have a number of accessory domains, two of which, ARID and PHD1, lie within the catalytic domain. KDM5C, which has a unique role in neural development, harbors a number of mutations adjacent to its accessory domains that cause X-linked intellectual disability (XLID). The roles of these accessory domains remain unknown, limiting an understanding of how XLID mutations affect KDM5C activity. We find that while the ARID and PHD1 domains are required for efficient nucleosome demethylation, the PHD1 domain alone has an inhibitory role in KDM5C catalysis. We further find that binding of the H3 tail to PHD1 is coupled to the recognition of linker DNA by KDM5C. Our data suggests a model in which the PHD1 domain regulates DNA recognition by the ARID domain based on available substrate cues. In this model, recognition of distinct chromatin features is coupled to a conformational rearrangement of the ARID and PHD1 domains, which in turn modulates the positioning of the catalytic domain for efficient nucleosome demethylation. Importantly, we find that XLID mutations adjacent to the ARID and PHD1 domains alter the conformational state of these domains to enhance DNA binding. This results in the loss of specificity in chromatin recognition by KDM5C and renders catalytic activity sensitive to inhibition by linker DNA. Our findings suggest a unifying model by which XLID mutations alter chromatin recognition and enable euchromatin-specific dysregulation of demethylation by KDM5C.

Dealing With Ethical Dilemma

The unique role of salespeople as “revenue generators” for any organization is pivotal for its growth and success. An interfacing role of salesperson between organization and customers facilitates customer belief and builds long-term relationships. Due to affiliative separation, salespersons face ethical dilemmas more often than their counterparts. The chapter delineates the unique characteristics of sales behavior and major influencers that affect a salesperson's ethical/unethical decision making. The authors recommend designing of effective ethical plan and its implementation to inculcate a robust ethical environment/culture within an organization.

Nuclear Law: The Global Debate

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) plays a unique role in the development and implementation of international nuclear law. This chapter contains a short examination of the regime of nuclear law and its four pillars, namely safety, security, safeguards and civil liability for nuclear damage. It examines how we got to where we are and where we can take the global debate, taking into account current and emerging peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology such as advanced reactors and nuclear fusion. The chapter also contains an invitation to all stakeholders in the global community, including international organizations, non-governmental organizations, industry, academia and civil society, as well as all those that will be responsible for shaping nuclear law in the future, to let the debate and dialogue on nuclear law begin.

Supporting Diversity and Inclusiveness Amid a Changing Academic Landscape

Prior to the pandemic, two-thirds of universities and colleges administered courses in the traditional face-to-face setting. After the abrupt change due to the pandemic, educators submerged themselves in virtual pedagogy and forged ahead in preparing the future workforce. An area that may have been overlooked was ensuring the learning environment remained diverse, equitable, and inclusive for all learners. Vital to students matriculating through programs and entering the healthcare workforce is recognizing and understanding student learning styles and having an ecological glimpse of circumstances that may affect their learning. Employing the intersectionality framework to explore inequities exacerbated by students' identities is a starting point. Implementing strategic priorities and DEI practices to decrease the equity gap that exists in the healthcare system and higher education institutions is essential. Health profession educators play a unique role in serving as change agents for future healthcare professionals who have a direct impact on health outcomes.

МОТИВ БЕЗСМЕРТЯ У РОМАНІСТИЦІ ЛЕОНІДА ГОРЛАЧА

The article deals with the analysis of functioning of the immortality motif in L. Horlach’s poetic novels (Mamay, Ruin, Open Field, Askold’s Finger, Slavic Island). Based on the works of P. Bargar, A. Veselovskij, I. Dziuba, J. Morgan, I. Silantev and S. Thompson, the scecific nature of the motif as a literary element is presented. The relevance of the study is determined by the mythological origin of the invariant motif of immortality, its unique role in Ukrainian (and world-wide) culture and the lack of studies on this topic, all based on L. Horlach’s works. This paper shows the writer’s use of pagan and Christian traditions in describing the afterlife, the understanding of immortality as a feature of a deity or as a reward and punishment for people. The motif of immortality is also connected to the concept of memory, fame and the contribution of personalities to the common goal. The motif is analyzed using mythologies, symbols and allegories (the thread of Moirai, fire, garden, bee).

A Critical Analysis of Coalition Politics in Pakistan A Case Study of PPP-led Coalition 2008-2013

Coalition politics have played a unique role in the modernsystem of governance. It played a vital role in politics forbringing the smaller political parties closer by reducing the chances ofserious conflicts. Coalitions can be governmental, which are formed afterelections, and coalitions also can be formed before elections. Like most ofthe Third World countries, Pakistan is an emerging democratic state witha multi-party setup. Present research work tried to analyze differentaspects of coalition politics since the creation of Pakistan; however, thescope of this research was restricted to the era from 2008 to 2013. Thestudy has included the concept of coalitions, the formation of coalitions,their governance, terminations, and their implications on the politics ofPakistan. In order to get pinpoint the performance of the coalition during2008-2013, primary sources, including official documents, statements,and interviews, and secondary sources like books, journals, newspapers,and websites have been consulted. Basically, it is qualitative research, butsometimes quantitative material is also utilized. To complete the research,historical, descriptive, and experimental methods were used. The studyrevealed that how coalition politics has become a backbone of democracyin Pakistan, where many parties were getting representation in thelegislative assembly. Here, the successful tenure of the PPP-led coalitiongave new hope to the political stakeholders to work together for sustainabledemocracy in Pakistan.

Involvement of the Orexinergic System in Feeding

To know the processes involved in feeding, the dysregulation of hypothalamic neuropeptides promoting anorexigenic/orexigenic mechanisms must be investigated. Many neuropeptides are involved in this behavior and in overweight/obesity. Current pharmacological strategies for the treatment of obesity are unfortunately not very effective and, hence, new therapeutic strategies must be investigated and developed. Due to the crucial role played by orexins in feeding behavior, the aim of this review is to update the involvement of the orexinergic system in this behavior. The studies performed in experimental animal models and humans and the relationships between the orexinergic system and other substances are mentioned and discussed. Promising research lines on the orexinergic system are highlighted (signaling pathways, heterogeneity of the hypothalamic orexinergic neurons, receptor-receptor interaction, and sex differences). Each of the orexin 1 and 2 receptors plays a unique role in energy metabolism, exerting a differential function in obesity. Additional preclinical/clinical studies must be carried out to demonstrate the beneficial effects mediated by orexin receptor antagonists. Because therapies applied are in general ineffective when they are directed against a single target, the best option for successful anti-obesity treatments is the development of combination therapies as well as the development of new and more specific orexin receptor antagonists.

Secure base effect in former shelter dogs and other family dogs: Strangers do not provide security in a problem-solving task

Domestic dogs display behavioural patterns towards their owners that fulfil the four criteria of attachment. As such, they use their owners as a secure base, exploring the environment and manipulating objects more when accompanied by their owners than when alone. Although there are some indications that owners serve as a better secure base than other human beings, the evidence regarding a strong owner-stranger differentiation in a manipulative context is not straightforward. In the present study, we conducted two experiments in which pet dogs were tested in an object-manipulation task in the presence of the owner and of a stranger, varying how the human partner would behave (i.e. remaining silent or encouraging the dog, Experiment 1), and when alone (Experiment 2). Further, to gain a better insight into the mechanisms behind a potential owner-stranger differentiation, we investigated the effect of dogs’ previous life history (i.e. having lived in a shelter or having lived in the same household since puppyhood). Overall, we found that strangers do not provide a secure base effect and that former shelter dogs show a stronger owner-stranger differentiation than other family dogs. As former shelter dogs show more behavioural signs correlated with anxiety towards the novel environment and the stranger, we concluded that having been re-homed does not necessarily affect the likelihood of forming a secure bond with the new owner but might have an impact on how dogs interact with novel stimuli, including unfamiliar humans. These results confirm the owner’s unique role in providing security to their dogs and have practical implications for the bond formation in pet dogs with a past in a shelter.