Search

In the Indian academia, at the undergraduate and graduate levels, the focus on teaching "writing" is relatively new; traditional focus has been on teaching the English language or Communication Skills. The novelty of academic writing has called for rigorous efforts in its operation in the Indian context. In addition, the virtual learning environment required by the pandemic posed the serious challenge of adopting the academic writing pedagogy to the new format of the virtual classroom. This article showcases successful strategies adopted for graduate and undergraduate foundation writing courses at the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, which ensured maximum engagement and minimum distraction, and knowledge transference. The graduate and undergraduate courses differed in their goals of writing, including expected learning outcomes and practicality, as well as in terms of the disciplinary backgrounds of the students. The graduate course was concerned with the applicability and transferability of the knowledge and skills acquired in the course to varied discipline-specific and professional writings of the advanced students; the undergraduate course was conducted on the basis of general writing with intensive discussion components. In this article, we first focus on the pedagogical practices adopted in the graduate course to ensure knowledge and skill transfer to discipline-specific scholarly writing and professional writing as a whole. Thereafter, we discuss the undergraduate writing curriculum aimed at laying the foundation for practical academic communication and development of critical thinking.

Transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair (TC-NER) is a highly conserved DNA repair pathway that removes bulky lesions in the transcribed genome. Cockayne syndrome B protein (CSB), or its yeast ortholog Rad26, has been known for decades to play important roles in the lesion-recognition steps of TC-NER. Another conserved protein ELOF1, or its yeast ortholog Elf1, was recently identified as a core transcription-coupled repair factor. How Rad26 distinguishes between RNA polymerase II (Pol II) stalled at a DNA lesion or other obstacles and what role Elf1 plays in this process remains unknown. Here, we present cryo-EM structures of Pol II-Rad26 complexes stalled at different obstacles that show that Rad26 uses a common mechanism to recognize a stalled Pol II, with additional interactions when Pol II is arrested at a lesion. A cryo-EM structure of lesion-arrested Pol II-Rad26 bound to Elf1 revealed that Elf1 induces further interactions between Rad26 and a lesion-arrested Pol II. Biochemical and genetic data support the importance of the interplay between Elf1 and Rad26 in TC-NER initiation. Together, our results provide important mechanistic insights into how two conserved transcription-coupled repair factors, Rad26/CSB and Elf1/ELOF1, work together at the initial lesion recognition steps of transcription-coupled repair.

CRISPR-Cas enzymes enable RNA-guided bacterial immunity and are widely used for biotechnological applications including genome editing. In particular, the Class 2 CRISPR-associated enzymes (Cas9, Cas12 and Cas13 families), have been deployed for numerous research, clinical and agricultural applications. However, the immense genetic and biochemical diversity of these proteins in the public domain poses a barrier for researchers seeking to leverage their activities. We present CasPEDIA (http://caspedia.org), the Cas Protein Effector Database of Information and Assessment, a curated encyclopedia that integrates enzymatic classification for hundreds of different Cas enzymes across 27 phylogenetic groups spanning the Cas9, Cas12 and Cas13 families, as well as evolutionarily related IscB and TnpB proteins. All enzymes in CasPEDIA were annotated with a standard workflow based on their primary nuclease activity, target requirements and guide-RNA design constraints. Our functional classification scheme, CasID, is described alongside current phylogenetic classification, allowing users to search related orthologs by enzymatic function and sequence similarity. CasPEDIA is a comprehensive data portal that summarizes and contextualizes enzymatic properties of widely used Cas enzymes, equipping users with valuable resources to foster biotechnological development. CasPEDIA complements phylogenetic Cas nomenclature and enables researchers to leverage the multi-faceted nucleic-acid targeting rules of diverse Class 2 Cas enzymes.

RNA-guided endonucleases form the crux of diverse biological processes and technologies, including adaptive immunity, transposition, and genome editing. Some of these enzymes are components of insertion sequences (IS) in the IS200/IS605 and IS607 transposon families. Both IS families encode a TnpA transposase and a TnpB nuclease, an RNA-guided enzyme ancestral to CRISPR-Cas12s. In eukaryotes, TnpB homologs occur as two distinct types, Fanzor1s and Fanzor2s. We analyzed the evolutionary relationships between prokaryotic TnpBs and eukaryotic Fanzors, which revealed that both Fanzor1s and Fanzor2s stem from a single lineage of IS607 TnpBs with unusual active site arrangement. The widespread nature of Fanzors implies that the properties of this particular lineage of IS607 TnpBs were particularly suited to adaptation in eukaryotes. Biochemical analysis of an IS607 TnpB and Fanzor1s revealed common strategies employed by TnpBs and Fanzors to co-evolve with their cognate transposases. Collectively, our results provide a new model of sequential evolution from IS607 TnpBs to Fanzor2s, and Fanzor2s to Fanzor1s that details how genes of prokaryotic origin evolve to give rise to new protein families in eukaryotes.

Background: Traditional interscalene brachial plexus block of C5 and C6 roots provides excellent anesthesia and analgesia for shoulder surgery and proximal humerus surgery, but frequently results in hemidiaphragmatic paresis. Superior trunk block (STB) along with local infiltration to supraclavicular nerve branches gives equal analgesic potency and distribution as interscalene brachial plexus block without affecting the phrenic nerve. The present study was carried out on 30 patients undergoing shoulder and proximal humerus surgery under STB of brachial plexus. Aims and Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis and minimum numerical rating scale (pain score) at rest in the post-anesthesia care unit, block duration, and patients’ satisfaction in patients receiving STB along with local infiltration to supraclavicular nerve branches. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients undergoing shoulder and proximal humerus surgery between 18 and 80 years age group with the American Society of Anesthesiologists-Physical Status I-III of either sex were given ultrasound-guided STB (15 mL) along with a local infiltration (5 mL) superficial to scalenus medias muscle using 0.5% ropivacaine. Primary outcomes and secondary outcomes (patients’ satisfaction, block duration, and pain score) were recorded and analyzed by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26. Results: Mean sensory block duration (hours) was 16.99±1.27 (95% confidence interval [16.51–17.47]). Incidence of hemidiaphragmatic palsy was minimum (3.3%). Post-operative analgesia was good as reflected by 28 (93.33%) patients having Visual Analog Scale score

Abstract Background Delirium affects 50–85% of patients on mechanical ventilation and is associated with increased mortality, prolonged hospitalization, and a three-fold higher risk of dementia. Microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, exhibit both neuroprotective and neurotoxic functions; however, their effects in mechanical ventilation-induced acute lung injury (VILI) are unknown. We hypothesize that in a model of short-term VILI, microglia play a neuroprotective role to ameliorate delirium-like phenotypes. Methods Microglia depletion (n = 18) was accomplished using an orally administered colony stimulating factor 1 receptor inhibitor, while controls received a vehicle diet (n = 18). We then compared extent of neuronal injury in the frontal cortex and hippocampus using cleaved caspase-3 (CC3) and multiple delirium-like behaviors in microglia depleted and non-microglia depleted male mice (C57BL/6 J aged 4–9 months) following VILI. Delirium-like behaviors were evaluated using the Open Field, Elevated Plus Maze, and Y-maze assays. We subsequently evaluated whether repopulation of microglia (n = 14 repopulation, 14 vehicle) restored the phenotypes. Results Frontal/hippocampal neuronal CC3 levels were significantly higher in microglia depleted VILI mice compared to vehicle-treated VILI controls (p

Abstract Background Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)-related foot involvement has been shown to have a profound impact on daily functioning, with most studies having focused on predominantly Caucasian populations. The aim was to describe disabling foot pain (DFP) and its impact on daily living in PsA in Singapore. Methods A cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted using clinical data collected during a single-visit to a rheumatology clinic in Singapore. Records for adults with physician-diagnosed PsA were reviewed for sociodemographic information, disease characteristics, global disease activity and burden. Foot-specific measures included clinical assessment and the Manchester Foot Pain and Disability Index used to define DFP and evaluate between-group differences. Results Forty-two participants with PsA (83% female, 57% Chinese, 31% Malay, 9.5% Indian, mean (SD) age 54-years (16)) attended the rheumatology clinic over the study-period. The median (IQR) disease duration was 2-years (11) and all were taking current DMARDs. Global disease measures demonstrated mild-to-moderate global disease activity and mild functional impairment, and were significantly higher in those with DFP. Despite 90% reporting to be coping well with their condition, self-care and having emotional support (n = 38), this study sample demonstrated high levels of anxiety/depression (29%), sleep disturbance (34%) and fatigue (24%), and a lack of disease- and drug-specific knowledge (64%). Further management was indicated for medication adherence counselling (48%), occupational therapy (43%), physiotherapy (36%) and podiatry (30%). Nearly half had current foot pain with 40% reporting DFP (n = 17), which caused significantly greater difficulty walking 3 km than those without DFP (p

Abstract The Two Higgs Doublet model extended with a complex scalar singlet (2HDMS) is a well-motivated Beyond Standard Model candidate addressing several open problems of nature. In this work, we focus on the dark matter (DM) phenomenology of the complex scalar singlet where the real part of the complex scalar obtains a vacuum expectation value. The model is characterized by an enlarged Higgs spectrum comprising six physical Higgs bosons and a pseudoscalar DM candidate. We address the impact of accommodating the 95 GeV excess on the 2HDMS parameter space and DM observables after including all theoretical and experimental constraints. Finally, we look into the prospects of this scenario at HL-LHC and future lepton colliders for a representative benchmark.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major health burden in India as well as throughout the world. Imbalance between antioxidant defense and oxidative stress plays a major role in this multifactorial disorder. Recent studies have shown that serum total bilirubin plays an important role in the progression of CKD. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study is to estimate serum total bilirubin, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urea, creatinine and to find out whether there is correlation between serum total bilirubin, eGFR, and different stages of CKD. Materials and Methods: The study is conducted in the department of biochemistry after getting ethical clearance. Two hundred and sixty-nine samples of controls and cases of CKD collected. Serum total bilirubin, urea, and creatinine were calculated in autoanalyzer using standard protocol. eGFR is calculated using a standard formula. Results: There is a significant positive correlation (spearman’s correlation r=0.196, P=0.001) between serum total bilirubin and eGFR value. There is also a significant negative correlation (r=−0.239, P

Intact graphic execution ability is considered an important gateway to one's academic success. It is often reported that the graphic execution ability of neurotypical children and those having autism, i.e., children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is differentiated. Although insightful, these reports had been mostly for text handwriting task that is not language agnostic (with observations related to a writer's language skills), thereby emphasizing the importance of assessing graphic execution ability during language-agnostic graphic task. The assessment can be carried out in terms of kinetic (e.g., grip force exerted on the pen barrel, in-hand manipulation of the pen, etc.) and kinematic (e.g., speed of the pen-tip, pen-tip pressure, etc.) attributes. Given the importance of assessing one's graphic execution ability and the use of language-agnostic platform, in our study, we present the design of a language-agnostic digitized platform that can assess the kinematic and kinetic attributes of one's graphic execution ability. We included shape drawing (with varying turns) as the graphic task. Also, we carried out a study in which 25 neurotypical children and 25 children with ASD took part. Results indicated that, irrespective of the shape being drawn, the kinematic and kinetic attributes of graphic execution were differentiated between the two participant groups. Our system has the potential to help teachers, therapists, etc., to assess one's graphic execution ability and adopt timely strategies addressing the difficulties (if any) faced by a child.

The promotion of equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives has become routine within Anglophone universities in the Global North. However, critical race scholars have demonstrated that these well-intentioned policies are often formulated in ways that transact empty performatives, where discussions of racism are deemed too challenging. Moreover, the dynamics of social class are often missing from university diversity regimes. Using autoethnography as methodology, we suggest that the practices of "border crossings" of intersectional academics can help track the multidirectional impacts of institutional diversity and inclusion discourses within Australian universities. As class and race intermix, we operate in a metaphorical "shadowland"; our border criss-crossings and places of dwelling highlight the blurriness of privileged and marginalised identities, with some minoritised statuses seemingly too visible while others are obscured. Despite this, and albeit brought into being through largely unrewarded emotional labour, our emphasis is on demonstrating how intersectional subjects' dialoguing in academe is a form of quiet resistance, offering hope for creating new becomings.

Short-term international mobility programs are being increasingly adopted by universities to achieve internationalisation, secure international accreditation and prepare graduates for global careers. A plethora of beneficial outcomes of student participation in short-term mobility education programs [Roy, A., A. Newman, T. Ellenberger, and A. Pyman. 2019. 'Outcomes of International Student Mobility Programs: A Systematic Review and Agenda for Future Research.' "Studies in Higher Education" 44 (9): 1630-1644; Waibel, S., H. Ruger, A. Ette, and L. Sauer. 2017. 'Career Consequences of Transnational Educational Mobility: A Systematic Literature Review.' "Educational Research Review" 20: 81-98] has motivated governments and universities to fund such programs [Pfotenhauer, S. M., J. S. Jacobs, D. J. Newman, and D. T. Roos. 2013. 'Seeding Change Through International University: The MIT-Portugal Program as a Driver of Internationalization, Networking and Innovation.' "Higher Education" 26: 217-242; Quan, R., A. Pearce, and Y. Baranchenko. 2017. 'Educational Mobility in Transition: What Can China and The UK Learn from Each Other?' "Journal of Management Development" 36 (6): 828-843; and Sin, C., O. Tavares, and G. Neave. 2017. 'Student Mobility in Portugal: Grappling with a Adversity.' "Journal of Studies in International Education" 21 (2): 120-135]. Scholarly work on student mobility in education has grown phenomenally in the last two decades. However, the specific study of antecedents of student participation which shape a student's decision to participate in short-term mobility programs has not received adequate attention in literature. The need to study antecedents of student participation in mobility is highly relevant and critical to the creation of student opportunities for participation in such programs. With this aim, our paper undertakes a comprehensive review of scholarly works thus far on antecedents of student participation in short-term mobility programs classifying antecedents into personal and contextual antecedents. We identify areas of study needed to enhance scholarly understanding of antecedents of student participation and propose an agenda for future research complemented with recommendations for studying antecedents to short-term mobility participation.