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RNA base editing relies on the introduction of adenosine-to-inosine changes into target RNAs in a highly programmable manner in order to repair disease-causing mutations. Here, we propose that RNA base editing could be broadly applied to perturb protein function by removal of regulatory phosphorylation and acetylation sites. We demonstrate the feasibility on more than 70 sites in various signaling proteins and identify key determinants for high editing efficiency and potent down-stream effects. For the JAK/STAT pathway, we demonstrate both, negative and positive regulation. To achieve high editing efficiency over a broad codon scope, we applied an improved version of the SNAP-ADAR tool. The transient nature of RNA base editing enables the comparably fast (hours to days), dose-dependent (thus partial) and reversible manipulation of regulatory sites, which is a key advantage over DNA (base) editing approaches. In summary, PTM interference might become a valuable field of application of RNA base editing. RNA base editing enables a precise, reversible and doseable change of genetic information. Here, authors propose base editing as a method to control post-translational modifications via removal of regulatory phosphorylation and acetylation sites, applying the approach to modulation of the JAK/STAT pathway via editing of wildtype alleles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a nuanced discussion of four episodes on the complexity of possible trajectories for sustainable futures through diverse but intersecting practices and discourses as heterogeneous but complementary articulations of 'adaptation and space'. As design and creative processes evolve, new tools and methods, often adopted from science and technology, are integrated into art, design, and architecture. However, knowledge flow in these developments tends to be unidirectional, with science and technology influencing these fields more than vice versa. The diverse developments relating to the concept of 'space' have profound impacts on industries, urban habitats, design approaches, and the arts within the expanded field. This article engages in a conversation from four different disciplinary perspectives, each articulating its own voice in relation to the broad notion of 'adaptation and space.' Through this multidisciplinary dialogue, presented in four episodes, it critically contributes to the ongoing discussion on sustainable futures, offering new trajectories for Problem-Based Learning (PBL) beyond disciplinary boundaries. In an era dominated by umbrella terminologies like sustainability, the field of higher education faces the challenge of integrating different expertise to foster new solutions for complex challenges. This article highlights the need for diverse fields such as architecture, art, and social science to engage in a dialogue about perception, interaction, and manipulation of space. Its purpose extends beyond the exploration of novel solutions, instead inviting multifarious perspectives that shape interconnected agencies for sustainable futures and their impact on education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought stress affects growth and productivity significantly in chickpea. An integrated multi-omics analysis can provide a better molecular-level understanding of drought stress tolerance. In the present study, comparative transcriptome, proteome and metabolome analyses of two chickpea genotypes with contrasting responses to drought stress, ICC 4958 (drought-tolerant, DT) and ICC 1882 (drought-sensitive, DS), was performed to gain insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying drought stress response/tolerance. Pathway enrichment analysis of differentially abundant transcripts and proteins suggested the involvement of glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, galactose metabolism, and starch and sucrose metabolism in the DT genotype. An integrated multi-omics analysis of transcriptome, proteome and metabolome data revealed coexpressed genes, proteins and metabolites involved in phosphatidylinositol signaling, glutathione metabolism and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathways, specifically in the DT genotype under drought. These stress-responsive pathways were coordinately regulated by the differentially abundant transcripts, proteins and metabolites to circumvent the drought stress response/tolerance in the DT genotype. The QTL-hotspot associated genes, proteins and transcription factors may further contribute to improved drought tolerance in the DT genotype. Altogether, the multi-omics approach provided an in-depth understanding of stress-responsive pathways and candidate genes involved in drought tolerance in chickpea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world witnessed and went through the COVID-19 pandemic for a major part of two years, the after effects of which still reverberate loudly worldwide. The psychological and emotional turmoil was felt by everyone but was accentuated many fold, especially for the COVID-19 survivors. Years of research have already established gratitude and hope to be the predictors of psychological well-being. The present research study made an attempt to explore gratitude and hope as the correlates of psychological well-being amongst COVID-19 survivors. The sample of this research study consisted of 76 survivors (N=76) from the state of Haryana, India. Gratitude Questionnaire-6 by McCullough et al. (2002); the Adult State Hope Scale by Snyder et al. (1996); and Ryff's Psychological Well-being Scale (RPWBS-18; Ryff et al., 2010) were used for the assessment of the variables. Descriptive statistics and Pearson's Product Moment Correlation was applied to explore the relationship among the variables. The findings of the study establish a significant positive correlation between both, gratitude and psychological well-being & hope and psychological well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Itaconic acid (IA) is a well-known bio-based monounsaturated organic acid (C5H6O4), with a white color and crystalline structure. It is widely used in the agro-based, plastics, textile, paint and pharmaceutical sectors, owing to its flexible structure, due to the presence of functional groups with covalent double bonds. IA is an alternative to the petrochemicals acrylic and methacrylic acids. Commercial manufacturing of IA using Aspergillus terreus is more economically effective and feasible, and the Department of Energy (DOE) of the United States added IA under the "top 12" organic chemicals in 2004. This review provides an overview on the synthesis of IA and improvement of its yield by mutagenesis and metabolic engineering of Aspergillus and other fungal strains, along with its wide applications for food, pharmaceutical and textile purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal nanoparticles (MNPs) are popular in different research fields due to their unique physical and chemical properties and superior antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant, larvicidal, and catalytic potentials. Although conventional wet methods like colloidal synthesis, calcination, and spark ablation for synthesizing MNPs are effective, their synthesis uses an array of reducing and stabilizing agents and gases, making the process tedious. Additionally, metal nanoparticles induce oxidative stress through reactive oxygen species (ROS), showing high toxicity. Research and development in green chemistry have gained momentum and massive attention because of being efficient, clean, economical, environment-friendly, and free of hazardous byproducts. Recently, seed extracts in-lieu of chemical stabilizers and reducing agents have become popular because of the single-step green synthesis of MNPs. Seeds provide the researchers with a cost-effective alternate to other biological methods due to low maintenance costs, culture/growth independence for biomass, and diversity of phytochemicals as reducing and capping agents. Thus, effective green synthesis approaches are considered sustainable for MNP synthesis. This review depicts the literature on the challenges associated with metal and metal oxide nanoparticles and discusses their synthesis using seed extracts. The application section of the review discusses the antimicrobial, anticancer, and larvicidal activities of seed extracted-synthesized metallic nanoparticles. Furthermore, insights into the different biological potentials of the synthesized green MNPs have also been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Considering the ubiquity of FinTech services, the study proposes a research framework to examine FinTech adoption and use from the technology acceptance perspective by adding sub-constructs of technology acceptance model (TAM), unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), ServPerf and WebQual 4.0. This study broadly classified these sub-constructs in three dimensions: adoption, behavior and technological and explores the relationship between these attributes. It also proposes that digital behavior (Internet experience and level of awareness) and demographic characteristics (age and gender) moderate the main relationships. Design/methodology/approach: The measurement scale for the study is developed through iterative discussion with domain experts. The data are collected from 439 active Internet users though a digital survey and analysis were done by applying structural equation modeling and multi-group analysis. Findings: Perceived usefulness and social influence are found to be the key determinant for behavior intention to use FinTech services, with social influence having significant negative influence. Actual use is significantly influenced by ease of use and social influence but is not determined by behavior intention and perceived usefulness. Behavioral attributes are significantly impacted by technological attributes and digital behavior. Also, age significantly affects the perception of security among older users. Practical implications: This study will help FinTech service providers to design FinTech services considering a wide spectrum of users. More consideration should be on enhancing the usefulness and security features to create social affirmations for the use of FinTech services. This will entice users for frequent use and attract nonusers to do their first online financial transaction. Originality/value: The study adds to the technology acceptance literature by incorporating relevant technological and behavioral attributes and investigating the moderating effect of digital behavior and demographic characteristics. It contributes to the understanding of user beliefs and perceptions about actual use of FinTech services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]