Search

Abstract The physical characterization of proteins in terms of their sizes, interactions, and assembly states is key to understanding their biological function and dysfunction. However, this has remained a difficult task because proteins are often highly polydisperse and present as multicomponent mixtures. Here, we address this challenge by introducing single-molecule microfluidic diffusional sizing (smMDS). This approach measures the hydrodynamic radius of single proteins and protein assemblies in microchannels using single-molecule fluorescence detection. smMDS allows for ultrasensitive sizing of proteins down to femtomolar concentrations and enables affinity profiling of protein interactions at the single-molecule level. We show that smMDS is effective in resolving the assembly states of protein oligomers and in characterizing the size of protein species within complex mixtures, including fibrillar protein aggregates and nanoscale condensate clusters. Overall, smMDS is a highly sensitive method for the analysis of proteins in solution, with wide-ranging applications in drug discovery, diagnostics, and nanobiotechnology.

Abstract Estimates of radar attenuation in the shallow Martian subsurface are retrieved from RIMFAX soundings along the Perseverance rover traverse. Specifically, analyzed data is from the Hawksbill Gap area during the rover's first drives onto the Jezero Western Fan Front. The centroid frequency‐shift method is employed to quantify attenuation in terms of the constant‐Q approximation. Results are then compared with the amplitude decay method, which—in order to calculate attenuation—requires propagation velocities retrieved from radargram analysis. By verifying that results from two separate analyses are consistent, we ensure that quantified radar properties are well constrained. First estimate of constant‐Q is 78.8 ± 11.6. For a subsurface propagation velocity of 0.113 m/ns, that equals an attenuation of −2.1 ± 0.4 dB/m at the RIMFAX 675 MHz center frequency. Results are consistent with dry sedimentary rocks, and are distinguishable from the magmatic lithologies on Jezero Crater Floor.

Polygamy is the practice of marriage to multiple partners. Approximately 6-11% of households in Uganda and 4-11% of households in Kenya are polygamous. The complex families produced by polygamous marriage customs give rise to additional considerations for healthcare providers and public health messaging around HIV care. Using 27 in-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews with participants in two studies in rural Kenya and Uganda, we analysed challenges and opportunities that polygamous families presented in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of HIV, and provider roles in improving HIV outcomes in these families. Overall, prevention methods seemed more justifiable to families where co-wives live far apart than when all members live in the same household. In treatment, diagnosis of one member did not always lead to disclosure to other members, creating an adverse home environment; but sometimes diagnosis of one wife led not only to diagnosis of the other, but also to greater household support.

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the extent of current e-learning uptake in Tanzanian universities. The quantitative approach involving survey design was adopted in the collection of data. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey of 400 respondents, with a rate of return 85.5%. The average reliability of variables 0.949 was determined using Cronbach's Alpha. Fuzzy Logic model and t-test were adopted for data analysis. The findings revealed that the average extent of current e-learning uptake among students and academicians were less than half of threshold amounting to 50% (i.e. level of awareness was 16%, availability was 20.6%, accessibility was 17%, attitude was 15% as variables used). There was no statistically significant difference in e-learning uptake among students and academicians as the value of p > 0.05. The findings of this study established a base ground and guidelines to inform the e-learning stakeholders and policymakers to find and establish suitable policy as well as mechanism to adopt and encourage sustainable use of e-learning systems for life-long teaching and learning. The originality of this study is based on the addition of new variables and methodologies employed as empirical evidence based on the extent of e-learning uptake in Tanzanian universities.

The debate about the interdependence or the dichotomy between the church and the state or politics is not new. The discourse is neither over nor something that will pass any soon. Both perspectives provide concrete reasons depending on the viewpoint from which an individual is writing and arguing. Both the ecclesia and the state or politics enjoy social capital. Of the two, however, the Church’s social capital is resilient and consistent, unlike the political capital which is seasonal and only rigorous in the pursuit for political position. In recent years, there is an immense emergence of Christianity that blend charismatic practices and African religiosity. An increased pursuit of political leadership is being witnessed by the church leadership and the secular community. One of the motivations has been the derivatives from the positions, which are mainly monetary and honourability. This can be linked to a struggle to meet a status threshold set and determined by a postmodern society which the clergy and the political leader must uphold. Anyone who lives below that ‘standard’ does not fit that position. It is for this reason that both the church and state or politics has been commercialised. The commercialisation aspect resulted in the two competitive entrepreneurial enterprises. Thus justice has been retailed to commercialisation and consumerism. This article therefore firmly holds the possibility that church and state or politics have common elements that, if reworked, can become tools in the mission of God. The assumption is that both institutions are reviewed as organs and not organisations because, as organisms, they are both fit for transformation into suitable instruments for the mission of God. Institutional reforms are dictated by the reformed human resource. This article leans towards the interrelationship between the Pentecostal tradition and the state or politics in viewing their role in doing justice to the mission of God. Thus a comparative framework fits this work. Contribution: The interdependence of the church and political enterprise is exposed to a constructive critique and further writing. It has advanced affirmed the comparative methodology as a ongoing study alternative.

A central concept for characterising phase-separating systems is the phase diagram but generation of such diagrams for biomolecular systems is typically slow and low-throughput. Here the authors describe PhaseScan, a combinatorial droplet microfluidic platform for high-resolution acquisition of multidimensional biomolecular phase diagrams.

Introduction. The risk factors for multiple sclerosis (MS) and cancer overlap to a large extent. The objective of our study was to estimate the prevalence and risk ratios (RR) of cancers in patients with MS and to identify which types of cancer have the lowest frequency. Materials and methods. We carried out research of the literature in the PubMed, Medline, and Google Academic databases, with the aim of identifying large-scale studies addressing the link between different cancers and MS. From 411 relevant articles, we selected 13 scientific papers for further analysis, comprising 109,276 patients diagnosed with MS from different countries. Results. Of all MS patients, 5.1% were diagnosed with a certain type of cancer compared to 5.5% in the general population; the cancers with the lowest incidence were respiratory, digestive, and blood cancers. Conclusions. The results of our analysis suggested that MS patients are less exposed to respiratory, digestive, and blood cancers, but more research is needed to understand if some disease-modifying therapies play a role in this regard.

Perseverance traversed the eastern, northern, and western margins of the Séítah formation inlier on the rover’s western fan front approach. Mapping the stratigraphy and extent of the Máaz and Séítah formations is key to understanding the depositional history and timing of crater floor resurfacing events. Perseverance's rapid progress across the Jezero crater floor between the Octavia E. Butler landing site and the western fan front resulted in limited contextual images of the deposits from the Navigation Camera and Mast Camera Zoom. By combining the limited surface images with continuous subsurface sounding by the Radar Imager for Mars’ Subsurface Experiment (RIMFAX) ground-penetrating radar, Jezero crater floor stratigraphy was inferred along this rapid traverse. We produced the first subsurface map of the Máaz formation thickness and elevation of the buried Séítah formation for 2.3 km of the rapid traverse. Three distinct reflector packets were observed in RIMFAX profiles interspersed with regions of low-radar reflectivity. We interpret these reflector packets with increasing depth to be the Roubion member of the Máaz formation (covered in places with regolith), the Rochette member, and the Séítah formation. We found a median permittivity of 9.0 and bulk density of 3.2 g cm ^−3 from hyperbola fits to RIMFAX profiles, which suggests a mafic composition for Máaz and Séítah. The low-radar reflectivity regions within each reflector packet could indicate potential depositional hiatuses where low-density material like sediment or regolith could have accumulated between successive Máaz formation lava flows and the Séítah formation at depth.

Abstract Attenuation of radar waves in the subsurface can be quantified with a constant‐Q approximation through time‐frequency analysis. We implement the centroid frequency‐shift method and study Radar Imager for Mars' Subsurface Exploration (RIMFAX) data acquired along the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover traverse. Attenuation is among key media properties, but quantified estimates need to account for instrument characteristics and limitations in the analysis technique. We ensure accurate constant‐Q characterization and present the first estimates of radar attenuation in the upper 5 m of the shallow Martian subsurface. Over Jezero Crater Floor, constant‐Q is on average 70.4 ± 7.7, which equals an attenuation of −2.6 ± 0.3 dB/m at RIMFAX’ 675 MHz center frequency. Regions comprising the Máaz or Séítah formations have similar attenuation properties that are consistent with magmatic lithologies.

Revenue decentralization represents a framework that facilitates enhanced fiscal autonomy for subnational governments, thereby enabling the tailoring of services to meet local needs and potentially fostering economic growth. In Kenya, the ratification of the 2010 constitutional formalized novel revenue frameworks aimed at supporting the operations, management, and sustainability of devolved county governments. However, there remains a paucity of empirical analysis examining the relationship between the revenue decentralization reforms and county‐level economic growth. We begin by identifying the main sources of county revenues within the decentralization frameworks, then investigate the dynamic interrelation with county economic growth. Through panel vector autoregression estimation techniques, our analysis reveals a positive and statistically significant association between own‐source revenue and conditional grants with county‐level economic growth. We discuss the implications of our findings and call for policymakers to reassess the fiscal instruments with the aim of strengthening the roles and responsibilities of counties. Key Takeaways: Revenue decentralization, in conjunction with fiscal instruments that facilitate the collection of own‐source revenue, has the potential to stimulate economic growth at the county level.Conditional grants, while partially significant, demonstrate their capacity to promote economic growth in historically marginalized counties.Our analysis reveals no substantial evidence that the equitable share of revenue significantly contributes to county‐level economic growth.This paper highlights the necessity of ongoing restructuring of decentralization frameworks to enhance the autonomy and sustainability of county governments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The acquisition of practical and applied skills as well as the basic scientific knowledge that would facilitate efficient occupational training requires good manipulation of skills oriented instructional facilities in a conducive learning situation. Thus, the provision and effective utilization of functional instructional materials are essential for adequate practical training in vocational education for the development of employable skills in the students. However, there are many factors that hinder effective production and utilization of instructional materials in vocational education. Hence appropriate recommendations are made to remedy these ugly situations facing our educational system.

This article describes the development of curriculum as it relates to vocational education in Nigeria Upper Basic Education Curriculum. The definition of Curriculum development was highlighted to reflect contemporary concepts of curriculum integration. Curriculum development was stressed to include the rudiments necessary in its stages of development. Instructional materials production and utilization in broad terms of audio-visual aids were also treated. The work however drew up the role and relevant position of evaluation in curriculum development. The paper concluded with the need to have the development, production and utilization of instructional materials as a communication channel in the teaching-learning processes of vocational education.

This study sought to find out the relationship between students perception of their teacher effectiveness and academic achievement in Basic Technology. Teacher's personality, teaching techniques/classroom management strategy and appearance, all integrate to make for teacher effectiveness. To carry out this research, two research questions and one null hypothesis guided the study. The design of the study is a correlational survey. The population for the study comprised the entire 823 two Upper Basic (UB) students of Basic Technology in Upper Basic schools in Udi LGA. While 442 (53.7%) students constituted the sample. Means, Pearson's product moment correlation statistics were used in analyzing the data, which were generated at two levels. Level one was the mean perception score and the second level was the student achievement score. Based on the analysis the following findings were made. There is a low mean perception of students of Basic Technology on their teacher effectiveness. There is positive relationship between their mean perception and their academic achievement. This relationship was found to be significant. Recommendations were made based on the findings among which is that teachers and their trainers should be further trained through workshops and seminars.

African Divine Church (ADC) is an African Instituted Church affiliated to the Organisation of the African Instituted Churches, which shapes African Instituted Churches’ (AICs’) theology through theological education. ADC has both lived, and sung-narrated theology and it originated from the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, hence Pentecostal with experiential undertones. Selected leaders of ADC in Vihiga County contributed to the study. The de-emphasised place of Christ was investigated to establish his place in ADC’s Trinitarian and missional Theology. The study articulated theological principles regarding Trinitarian ecclesiology, to assist the ADC in reworking its Christology. The historical approach of the early church, medieval, reformation, and modern periods regarding the place of Christ as the second person of the Triune God were investigated, to formulate guidelines for a paradigm shift in understanding the place of Christ in Trinitarian ecclesiology and the missional community that ADC may use in reworking its Trinitarian Mission. The study employed a mixed-method that followed three steps, namely interviews, questionnaires and observation. The study population was determined through purposive sampling. A coding method safeguarded the identity and confidentiality of participants. The results were classified as historical, practical and theological. ADC derived its name from John 15:1–17 through meditation, vision and revelation. The colours red, white and green symbolise its mission and growth, while its experiential and charismatic liturgy was derived from 1 Samuel 6:1–4, with evidence of hermeneutical deficiency. Theological findings included the undeveloped relationship between God and ecclesial mission, emphasis on the Holy Spirit, healing, and prophecy with a lessened place of Christ in the Trinitarian mission, as well as the blend of ancestorology with Christology that threatens the hypostatic Christology and Trinitarian economy. The study implied a call for reworking hermeneutics, Trinitarian theology, and reconstructing the relationship between God’s mission and that of the Church and a reworked Christology, distinctive from ancestorology. Contribution: African Divine Church’s narrative theology is exposed especially the Trinitarian mission to a constructive critique and further study. It has advanced mixed-method in progressing narrative inquiry as an alternative methodology.

Estimates of radar attenuation in the shallow Martian subsurface are retrieved from RIMFAX soundings along the Perseverance rover traverse. Specifically, analyzed data is from the Hawksbill Gap area during the rover's first drives onto the Jezero Western Fan Front. The centroid frequency‐shift method is employed to quantify attenuation in terms of the constant‐Q approximation. Results are then compared with the amplitude decay method, which—in order to calculate attenuation—requires propagation velocities retrieved from radargram analysis. By verifying that results from two separate analyses are consistent, we ensure that quantified radar properties are well constrained. First estimate of constant‐Q is 78.8 ± 11.6. For a subsurface propagation velocity of 0.113 m/ns, that equals an attenuation of −2.1 ± 0.4 dB/m at the RIMFAX 675 MHz center frequency. Results are consistent with dry sedimentary rocks, and are distinguishable from the magmatic lithologies on Jezero Crater Floor. Plain Language Summary: This study presents first estimates of radar attenuation at the Jezero Western Fan Front. Measurements were made with the RIMFAX payload instrument on the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover mission, acquired along the rover drive path. Results indicate low signal losses in the subsurface that are consistent with dry sedimentary rocks, as observed on the surface by other payload instruments. Maximum imaging depths increase compared to imaging over magmatic lithologies on Jezero Crater Floor. By using separate methods of analysis (the centroid frequency‐shift method and the amplitude decay method), we reliably quantify attenuation and maximum penetration depths at the Western Fan Front, and observe differences to the Crater Floor lithologies. Key Points: The first estimate of radar attenuation at the Jezero Western Fan Front is on average −2.1 dB/mFor an average propagation velocity of 0.113 m/ns, returned power and time‐frequency analyses yield similar resultsRadar properties are consistent with dry sedimentary rocks and are distinguishable from the magmatic lithologies on Jezero Crater Floor [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elucidating the molecular driving forces underlying liquid–liquid phase separation is a key objective for understanding biological function and malfunction. Here the authors show that a wide range of cellular proteins, including FUS, TDP-43, Brd4, Sox2, and Annexin A11, which form condensates at low salt concentrations, can reenter a phase-separated regime at high salt concentrations.