Group Theory of Syntactical Freedom in DNA Transcription and Genome Decoding

Transcription factors (TFs) are proteins that recognize specific DNA fragments in order to decode the genome and ensure its optimal functioning. TFs work at the local and global scales by specifying cell type, cell growth and death, cell migration, organization and timely tasks. We investigate the structure of DNA-binding motifs with the theory of finitely generated groups. The DNA ‘word’ in the binding domain -the motif- may be seen as the generator of a finitely generated group Fdna on four letters, the bases A, T, G and C. It is shown that, most of the time, the DNA-binding motifs have subgroup structure close to free groups of rank three or less, a property that we call ‘syntactical freedom’. Such a property is associated to the aperiodicity of the motif when it is seen as a substitution sequence. Examples are provided for the major families of TFs such as leucine zipper factors, zinc finger factors, homeo-domain factors, etc. We also discuss the exceptions to the existence of such a DNA syntactical rule and their functional role. This includes the TATA box in the promoter region of some genes, the single nucleotide markers (SNP) and the motifs of some genes of ubiquitous role in transcription and regulation.

Psychometric properties of the positive mental health scale in Arequipa (Peru)

La salud mental positiva es un constructo complejo que está relacionado con el funcionamiento óptimo de la persona. Comprende un conjunto de cualidades orientadas al desarrollo del potencial del individuo. La Escala de Salud Mental Positiva es uno de los instrumentos más utilizados para evaluarlo, sin embargo, los antecedentes señalan inconsistencias respecto a su estructura interna. El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar las propiedades psicométricas de la Escala de Salud Mental Positiva en Arequipa-Perú. Participaron 3933 personas, 50.3% fueron mujeres y 49.7% fueron varones, incluyendo desde adolescentes hasta adultos mayores. La evaluación mediante AFC de la estructura original evidenció índices de ajuste pobres, por lo que se tuvo que evaluar la dimensionalidad y proponer una nueva estructura. Para lo cual, se dividió a la muestra (n1 = 1966 y n2 = 1967). En la primera, se aplicó un AFE y en la segunda se valida mediante un AFC. Se hallaron tres factores y se concluye que tiene un buen ajuste (χ2(431) = 2473.378; CFI = .959; TLI = .956, RMSEA = .049; SRMR = .051). La consistencia interna mostró valores mayores a .81. Finalmente, se evaluó la equivalencia de la medición según el sexo, hallando que el instrumento presenta invarianza de la medición. Positive mental health is a complex construct that is related to the optimal functioning of the person. It comprises a set of qualities aimed at the development of the individual's potential. The Positive Mental Health Scale is one of the most used instruments to evaluate it, however, the antecedents indicate inconsistencies regarding its internal structure. The objective of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Positive Mental Health Scale in Arequipa-Peru. 3,933 people participated, 50.3% were women and 49.7% were men, including from adolescents to the elderly. The evaluation by CFA of the original structure showed poor fit indices, so the dimensionality had to be evaluated and a new structure had to be proposed. For which the sample is divided (n1 = 1,966 and n2 = 1,967). In the first, an EFA was applied and in the second, it is validated by means of a CFA. Three factors were found and it is concluded that it has a good fit (χ2 (431) = 2,473.378; CFI = .959; TLI = .956, RMSEA = .049; SRMR = .051). The internal consistency showed values ​​greater than .81. Finally, the equivalence of the measurement according to sex was evaluated, finding that the instrument presents measurement invariance.

Libraries, Digitized Cultural Heritage, and Social Cohesion of Smart Cities

Creating the complex service system of smart cities provides a new opportunity for the proportion and composition of available digital services to serve the satisfaction and the optimal functioning of society. Shaping the network services provided by LAM institutions is just as important in the social life of smart cities as defining the roles of public institutions. The authors of this chapter seek to identify how digital repositories can be effectively interpreted as modules of a complex service system. Five different module models are introduced based on the projects conducted by the Institute of Library and Information Science of Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Hungary. These modules, focusing on different aspects of user interest and activity, are suitable for strengthening social cohesion in the everyday life of smart cities by involving cultural heritage.

Role of Microorganisms in Bioremediation

Bioremediation involves the use of natural microorganisms for the purpose ofdegrading numerous types of industrial and environmental waste. Microorganismsrequire carbon, nutrients, and energy to live and multiply as all living organisms do. Inorder to obtain energy, such microorganisms break down organic pollutants into simplerorganic compounds like carbon, salts, water, and similar harmless products. Thisapproach of degrading contaminants using microorganisms has proved much beneficialand has been proven to be cost-effective and efficient. There are a lot of naturally occurringmicroorganisms that have been reported essential in the degradation of organic pollutants.Different industries use different types of bioremediation methods. Specificenvironmental conditions may be required for optimal functioning of microbes e.g., pH,temperature, humidity, etc. Bioremediation has been proven as an environment-friendlyand cost-effective approach to deal with industrial contaminants. Descriptive informationof microbes involved in bioremediation has been explained in this review.

Group Theory of Syntactical Freedom in DNA Transcription and Genome Decoding

Transcription factors (TFs) are proteins that recognize specific DNA fragments in order to decode the genome and ensure its optimal functioning. TFs work at the local and global scales by specifying cell type, cell growth and death, cell migration, organization and timely tasks. We investigate the structure of DNA-binding motifs with the theory of finitely generated groups. The DNA ‘word’ in the binding domain -the motif- may be seen as the generator of a finitely generated group Fdna on four letters, the bases A, T, G and C. It is shown that, most of the time, the DNA-binding motifs have subgroup structure close to free groups of rank three or less, a property that we call ‘syntactical freedom’. Such a property is associated to the aperiodicity of the motif when it is seen as a substitution sequence. Examples are provided for the major families of TFs such as leucine zipper factors, zinc finger factors, homeo-domain factors, etc. We also discuss the exceptions to the existence of such a DNA syntactical rule and their functional role. This includes the TATA box in the promoter region of some genes, the single nucleotide markers (SNP) and the motifs of some genes of ubiquitous role in transcription and regulation.

The Importance of the Direct Individual Income Taxes in the Structure of the Tax System

The optimal functioning of a country’s economy depends on the implemented tax policy, which in turn depends on the degree of the development of the tax system. A specific role among the tax forms, included in the tax system, is played by direct income taxes, which are levied on natural persons. These taxes are the subject of the research in this paper, particularly their organization. The article also pays attention to the preferences introduced, leading to changes in the direct individual income taxes.

A critical analysis of the inefficacy of Court-Annexed Mediation (CAM) in South Africa – lessons from Nigeria

As a result of defects in the South African civil justice system, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development introduced voluntary court-annexed mediation (CAM) in the magistrates’ courts in 2014. CAM was chosen under the broader need for greater access to justice because it has the potential to make dispute resolution efficient, amicable, and affordable. It can, therefore, contribute to access to justice for all members of society. Since the amendment of the Magistrates’ Court Rules to provide for CAM, the uptake of mediation in terms of the CAM system has unfortunately been inadequate. The aim of this article is to identify reasons for the inefficacy of CAM since its implementation. We use normative research to critically analyse existing court rules and authority. We conclude that there are several reasons for CAM’s inefficacy which are elucidated in the main text. It is important to understand these reasons, as the legislature presents CAM as a mechanism to improve access to justice. From this platform, we evaluate the mechanisms for court-connected alternative dispute resolutions provided by the Nigerian Multi-Door Courthouse (MDC) system. This reveals policies and practices that could potentially improve the efficacy of CAM in South Africa, as these relate to the factors identified as impediments to the optimal functioning of CAM in our civil justice system. As such, we identify valuable lessons that can be learned from this comparison. Building hereon, and on the conclusions reached elsewhere in the article, we postulate that the mediation scheme, as contemplated by Rule 41A of the Uniform Rules of Court (as applied in the superior courts), should also be implemented in the magistrates’ courts. The article concludes that improving CAM in South Africa is of critical importance to advancing access to justice and departing from a culture of conventional adversarial dispute resolution.

The Role of the Natural Antioxidant Mechanism in Sperm Cells

Molecular studies of the causes of male infertility revealed a significant contribution of oxidative stress. When excessive amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced or antioxidant activity fails, the equilibrium between oxidation and reduction is disrupted, causing oxidative stress (OS). High levels of ROS can have an adverse effect on sperm function through the initiation of DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, loss of membrane integrity and increased permeability, inactivation of cellular enzymes, and cell apoptosis. In addition to endogenous factors such as immature sperm, leukocytes, and varicocele, potential causes of excessive ROS can also be found exogenously in males with testicular hyperthermia or exposed to environmental toxicity. To maintain the optimal functioning of sperm cells, it is, therefore, necessary to balance the redox potential, i.e., to balance ROS by antioxidants. The purpose of this review is to present the antioxidant defense systems in semen.

An agenda-setting paper on data sharing platforms: euCanSHare workshop

Various data sharing platforms are being developed to enhance the sharing of cohort data by addressing the fragmented state of data storage and access systems. However, policy challenges in several domains remain unresolved. The euCanSHare workshop was organized to identify and discuss these challenges and to set the future research agenda. Concerns over the multiplicity and long-term sustainability of platforms, lack of resources, access of commercial parties to medical data, credit and recognition mechanisms in academia and the organization of data access committees are outlined. Within these areas, solutions need to be devised to ensure an optimal functioning of platforms.

New Developments in Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for Automotive Brake Pad Applications and Future Challenges

The proper functioning of automotive brake pads is of utmost importance to ensure the safety of passengers. Therefore, brake pad materials must be chosen with utmost precision and care to ensure their optimal functioning for long durations. Through a thorough literature review, it is found that the materials used currently for this purpose pose multiple discrepancies. Therefore, it is imperative to shift our focus towards nanomaterials, as they are one of the essential novel materials in this field. This study discusses the multiple constituents used in commercial brake pads, their role in improving and stabilizing their operation, and their desired properties to achieve optimal functioning. Parallelly, this study also reviews some of the potential organic and carbon nanomaterials that could prove to provide tough competition to currently utilized materials for brake pad applications. From this review, the major future commercial brake pad materials obtained include the likes of banana peel powder, crab shell powder, coconut fibers, stark corn fibers, metal oxide composites, metal nitride composites, multiwalled carbon nanotubes, and hybrid nanocomposites. These materials are studied on the basis of their performance under high-frictional force applications and analyzed by considering their mechanical, chemical, thermal, and tribological properties. Carbon nanotube-based composites showed improved tribological and braking performances making them more attractive than the materials in commercially available brake pads. In addition to these, the effects of usage of such nanomaterials on the environment and health are reviewed, in order to understand the feasibility of utilization of nanomaterials in automotive brake pad applications. From this analysis, this work suggests that there are a variety of nanomaterials that prove to be capable of automotive brake pad applications and, with further research and technological developments, would prove to be an asset to the automotive brake pad industry.