There is good evidence from the medical literature that type I syndactyly, the most common form of the nonsyndromic syndactylies, is clinically heterogeneous. We therefore propose to group the condition into four subtypes, which are all autosomal dominantly inherited. Subtype 1, zygodactyly (cutaneous webbing of second and third toe without hand involvement) is the mildest and most common form. The phenotype varies from unilateral minor impression of webbing to bilateral complete webbing of second and third toe including a fusion of nails. Bony involvement is never observed. Subtype 2 is characterized by bilateral cutaneous and/or bony webbing of third and fourth finger, and second and third toe. The phenotype maps on chromosome 2q34-q36 and was designated as SD1 (ie syndactyly 1). The hallmark of subtype 3 is bilateral cutaneous or bony webbing of third and fourth finger, while subtype 4 shows bilateral cutaneous webbing of fourth and fifth toe. Both, subtype 3 and 4, are rare entities. Here, we present clinical and molecular data of a large Pakistani family with zygodactyly that was mapped to a new locus on chromosome 3p21.31 by genome-wide linkage analysis. The highest LOD score (Z max ¼ 3.38) was obtained with microsatellite marker D3S2409. The disease interval is flanked by markers Chr3_4919 and Chr3_4940 encompassing about 0.20 Mb. Since the same phenotype appears not to be linked to this locus in a German family, we predict genetic heterogeneity in zygodactyly and propose to designate the 3p21.31 locus as ZD1 (ie zygodactyly 1).

Recently, the application of renewable energy sources (RESs) for power distribution systems is growing immensely. This advancement brings several advantages, such as energy sustainability and reliability, easier maintenance, cost-effective energy sources, and ecofriendly. The application of RESs in maritime systems such as port microgrids massively improves energy efficiency and reduces the utilization of fossil fuels, which is a serious threat to the environment. Accordingly, ports are receiving several initiatives to improve their energy efficiency by deploying different types of RESs based on the power electronic converters. This paper conducts a systematic review to provide cutting-edge state-of-the-art on the modern electrification and infrastructure of seaports taking into account some challenges such as the environmental aspects, energy efficiency enhancement, renewable energy integration, and legislative and regulatory requirements. Moreover, the technological methods, including electrifications, digitalization, onshore power supply applications, and energy storage systems of ports, are addressed. Furthermore, details of some operational strategies such as energy-aware operations and peak-shaving are delivered. Besides, the infrastructure scheme to enhance the energy efficiency of modern ports, including port microgrids and seaport smart microgrids are delivered. Finally, the applications of nascent technologies in seaports are presented.

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In response to rapid spread of COVID-19 Novel Corona Virus, all the economic and social activities were ceased at national level. Educational institutes were the first to be locked down and universities were asked to deliver online courses. This was received with resistance from students and academic experts with claims that universities neither have the capacity to deliver online courses due to lack of adequately trained faculty members nor does the country have supportive infrastructure in the form of availability of internet across the country. The study was intended to understand the constraints faced by these university students who were offered online courses in the first phase. The data was collected from graduate students enrolled in social science department along with teaching faculty members. Questionnaires followed by in-depth interviews were used to collect the data from a sample of 16 students along with 4 faculty members and representative of technical team of the university. A FGD was conducted with the university management. Results showed that poor connectivity of internet, communication gap that is inherent to online education due to absence of physical class room environment and over exposure to screen is considered as the major constraint to online education. But with the passage of time acceptability to online education is increasing and students also see the positive dimensions of online education now and the start of second phase of online education seems much smooth now.