Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Solution‐Processed Metallic Conducting Polymer Films as Transparent Electrode of Optoelectronic Devices

The conductivity of PEDOT:PSS films was significantly enhanced from 0.3 S cm(-1) to 3065 S cm(-1) through a treatment with dilute sulfuric acids. PEDOT:PSS films with a sheet resistance of 39 Ω sq(-1) and transparency of around 80% at 550 nm are obtained. These PEDOT:PSS films with conductivity and transparency comparable to ITO can replace ITO as the transparent electrode of optoelectronic devices.
Predicting weakly stable regions, oligomerization state, and protein–protein interfaces in transmembrane domains of outer membrane proteins

Although the structures of many β-barrel membrane proteins are available, our knowledge of the principles that govern their energetics and oligomerization states is incomplete. Here we describe a computational method to study the transmembrane (TM) domains of β-barrel membrane proteins. Our method is based on a physical interaction model, a simplified conformational space for efficient enumeration, and an empirical potential function from a detailed combinatorial analysis. Using this method, we can identify weakly stable regions in the TM domain, which are found to be important structural determinants for β-barrel membrane proteins. By calculating the melting temperatures of the TM strands, our method can also assess the stability of β-barrel membrane proteins. Predictions on membrane enzyme PagP are consistent with recent experimental NMR and mutant studies. We have also discovered that out-clamps, in-plugs, and oligomerization are 3 general mechanisms for stabilizing weakly stable TM regions. In addition, we have found that extended and contiguous weakly stable regions often signal the existence of an oligomer and that strands located in the interfaces of protein–protein interactions are considerably less stable. Based on these observations, we can predict oligomerization states and can identify the interfaces of protein–protein interactions for β-barrel membrane proteins by using either structure or sequence information. In a set of 25 nonhomologous proteins with known structures, our method successfully predicted whether a protein forms a monomer or an oligomer with 91% accuracy; in addition, our method identified with 82% accuracy the protein–protein interaction interfaces by using sequence information only when correct strands are given.
Feeding choices and morbidity and mortality among children born to HIV-1 infected mothers during the first 6 months of life in Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso)

Abstract To examine effects of maternal factors on choice of infant feeding method, and to assess the effects of feeding method and other maternal and infant factors on morbidity and mortality a prospective study was conducted within the Kesho Bora study that evaluated antiretroviral therapy impact on mother to child transmission of human immune deficiency virus 1. Mean age for the mothers was 27.55 years (range 18–41 years); 69.3% were homemakers and 41.4% had no formal education. Breastfeeding was chosen by 109 mothers (81.3%) compared to 25 mothers (18.7%) choosing formula feeding. The decision to formula feed was more common among mothers who had disclosed their human immune deficiency virus status to a family member (P = 0.0036) and among women who had attained a relatively high level of education (P = 0.001). Morbidity and mortality were assessed for 138 infants (113 exclusively breastfed and 25 formula fed). There were no statistically significant differences in incidence of diarrhea or upper respiratory infection between the two groups of children (P = 0.7 and P = 0.255, respectively), but formula fed children tended to require more frequent hospital care (P = 0.016). Infant mortality after the age of 6 months was not statistically different in the two groups of children (7% in the exclusive breastfeeding group compared to 12% in the formula fed group, P = 0.42). Premature birth and low birth weight were associated with a significant risk of infant mortality (P = 0.001 and P = 0.007 respectively). Considering the prevailing socio-economic conditions in Bobo-Dioulasso, we conclude that exclusive breastfeeding should be the recommended infant feeding method for most women here.
Zinc-finger directed double-strand breaks within CAG repeat tracts promote repeat instability in human cells

Expanded triplet repeats have been identified as the genetic basis for a growing number of neurological and skeletal disorders. To examine the contribution of double-strand break repair to CAG·CTG repeat instability in mammalian systems, we developed zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) that recognize and cleave CAG repeat sequences. Engineered ZFNs use a tandem array of zinc fingers, fused to the FokI DNA cleavage domain, to direct double-strand breaks (DSBs) in a site-specific manner. We first determined that the ZFNs cleave CAG repeats in vitro. Then, using our previously described tissue culture assay for identifying modifiers of CAG repeat instability, we found that transfection of ZFN-expression vectors induced up to a 15-fold increase in changes to the CAG repeat in human and rodent cell lines, and that longer repeats were much more sensitive to cleavage than shorter ones. Analysis of individual colonies arising after treatment revealed a spectrum of events consistent with ZFN-induced DSBs and dominated by repeat contractions. We also found that expressing a dominant-negative form of RAD51 in combination with a ZFN, dramatically reduced the effect of the nuclease, suggesting that DSB-induced repeat instability is mediated, in part, through homology directed repair. These studies identify a ZFN as a useful reagent for characterizing the effects of DSBs on CAG repeats in cells.
Changes in group size and composition of the blue monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis stuhlmanni) between 1984 and 2009 at Ngogo, Kibale National Park, Uganda

Group counts were conducted on five groups of blue monkeys at the Ngogo study site, Kibale National Park, Uganda between January and June 2009. Group sizes were compared with those obtained using similar methods at the same site during 1983-84 by Tom Butynski. During the present study, group size ranged from 16 to 28 monkeys. The results show that the group size of blue monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis stuhlmanni) has increased significantly between 1984 and 2009. Mean group size has increased over two-fold from 9 after the fission of group 33 during Butynski s study to 21.6 animals per group in 2009. These results strongly suggest that the density of blue monkeys at Ngogo has increased although census data indicate that group density has remained more or less the same. Resume Entre janvier et juin 2009, nous avons realise des comptages de cinq groupes de cercopitheques a diademe sur le site de Ngogo, dans le Parc National de Kibale, en Ouganda. La taille des groupes fut comparee a celle qu’avait obtenue Tom Butinsky en employant des methodes semblables sur le meme site en 1983-1984. Au cours de l’etude recente, la taille des groupes allait de 16 a 28 singes. Les resultats montrent que la taille des groupes de cercopitheques a diademe Cercopithecus mitis stuhlmanni s’est accrue significativement entre 1984 et 2009. La taille moyenne des groupes a plus que double puisqu’elle etait de neuf individus dans l’etude de Butinsky apres la scission du groupe et qu’elle etait de 21, 6 individus en 2009. Ces resultats laissent penser que la densite de cercopitheques a diademe a Ngogo a augmente alors que les donnees du recensement indiquent que la densite des groupes est restee a peu pres la meme.
Depletion of interfering antibodies in chronic hepatitis C patients and vaccinated chimpanzees reveals broad cross-genotype neutralizing activity

Using human immune globulins made from antihepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive plasma, we recently identified two antibody epitopes in the E2 protein at residues 412–426 (epitope I) and 434–446 (epitope II). Whereas epitope I is highly conserved among genotypes, epitope II varies. We discovered that epitope I was implicated in HCV neutralization whereas the binding of non-neutralizing antibody to epitope II disrupted virus neutralization mediated by antibody binding at epitope I. These findings suggested that, if this interfering mechanism operates in vivo during HCV infection, a neutralizing antibody against epitope I can be restrained by an interfering antibody, which may account for the persistence of HCV even in the presence of an abundance of neutralizing antibodies. We tested this hypothesis by affinity depletion and peptide-blocking of epitope-II-specific antibodies in plasma of a chronically HCV-infected patient and recombinant E1E2 vaccinated chimpanzees. We demonstrate that, by removing the restraints imposed by the interfering antibodies to epitope-II, neutralizing activity can be revealed in plasma that previously failed to neutralize viral stock in cell culture. Further, cross-genotype neutralization could be generated from monospecific plasma. Our studies contribute to understanding the mechanisms of antibody-mediated neutralization and interference and provide a practical approach to the development of more potent and broadly reactive hepatitis C immune globulins.
High frequencies of resting CD4+ T cells containing integrated viral DNA are found in rhesus macaques during acute lentivirus infections

We and others have reported that the vast majority of virus-producing CD4+ T cells during the acute infection of rhesus macaques with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) or CXCR4 (X4)-using simian/human immunodeficiency viruses (SHIVs) exhibited a nonactivated phenotype. These findings have been extended to show that resting CD4+ T lymphocytes collected from SIV- or X4-SHIV-infected animals during the first 10 days of infection continue to release virus ex vivo. Furthermore, we observed high frequencies of integrated viral DNA (up to 5.1 × 104 DNA copies per 105 cells) in circulating resting CD4+ T cells during the first 10 days of the infection. Integration of SIV DNA was detected only in memory CD4+ T cells and SHIVs preferentially integrated into resting naïve CD4+ T cells. Taken together, these results show that during the acute infection large numbers of resting CD4+ T cells carry integrated nonhuman primate lentiviral DNA and are the major source of progeny virions irrespective of coreceptor usage. Prompt and sustained interventions are therefore required to block the rapid systemic dissemination of virus and prevent an otherwise fatal clinical outcome.
Flexible Nanocomposite Generator Made of BaTiO3 Nanoparticles and Graphitic Carbons

Outdoor renewable energy sources such as solar energy (15 000 μ W/cm 3 ), [ 3 , 4 ] wind energy (380 μ W/cm 3 ), [ 5 ] and wave energy (1 000 W/cm of wave crest length) [ 6 , 7 ] can provide largescale needs of power. However, for driving small electronics in indoor or concealed environments [ 3 , 8 ] (such as in tunnels, clothes, and artifi cial skin) and implantable biomedical devices, innovative approaches have to be developed. One way of energy harvesting without such restraints is to utilize piezoelectric materials that can convert vibrational and mechanical energy sources from human activities such as pressure, bending, and stretching motions into electrical energy. [ 9–11 ]
Renal fibrosis is attenuated by targeted disruption of KCa3.1 potassium channels

Proliferation of interstitial fibroblasts is a hallmark of progressive renal fibrosis commonly resulting in chronic kidney failure. The intermediate-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel (KCa3.1) has been proposed to promote mitogenesis in several cell types and contribute to disease states characterized by excessive proliferation. Here, we hypothesized that KCa3.1 activity is pivotal for renal fibroblast proliferation and that deficiency or pharmacological blockade of KCa3.1 suppresses development of renal fibrosis. We found that mitogenic stimulation up-regulated KCa3.1 in murine renal fibroblasts via a MEK-dependent mechanism and that selective blockade of KCa3.1 functions potently inhibited fibroblast proliferation by G0/G1 arrest. Renal fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in mice was paralleled by a robust up-regulation of KCa3.1 in affected kidneys. Mice lacking KCa3.1 (KCa3.1−/−) showed a significant reduction in fibrotic marker expression, chronic tubulointerstitial damage, collagen deposition and αSMA+ cells in kidneys after UUO, whereas functional renal parenchyma was better preserved. Pharmacological treatment with the selective KCa3.1 blocker TRAM-34 similarly attenuated progression of UUO-induced renal fibrosis in wild-type mice and rats. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that KCa3.1 is involved in renal fibroblast proliferation and fibrogenesis and suggest that KCa3.1 may represent a therapeutic target for the treatment of fibrotic kidney disease.
Response rate and predictors of response in a short‐term empirical trial of high‐dose rabeprazole in patients with globus

Background Although the aetiology of globus (the sensation of a lump in the throat) remains unclear, gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease is associated with globus. A short‐term trial with a high‐dose proton pump inhibitor has been shown to be a sensitive tool for diagnosing gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease.
ANTIPSYCHOTIC PRESCRIBING PATTERN IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF EASTERN INDIA

Background: Psychotropic drugs are commonly prescribed in psychiatric practice. , their utilization and consequences on real life effectiveness and safety in actual clinical practice need continuous study. Materials and Methods: A prospective cross sectional study was carried out for 3 months. All the patients using antipsychotic drugs, between 18-60 years of age, irrespective of sex, were included in the study. However, patients who were pregnant, lactating, unable to comply due to mental retardation, any systemic illness ,unconsciousness or drug addiction were excluded from the study. The prescribing pattern was analyzed by Using World Health Organization basic drug indicators. Results: Average number of drugs /prescription 1.07. atypical antipsychotics are prescribed more commonly than typical antipsychotic.among the atypical antipsychotics olanzapine is most commonly prescribed.monotherapy of antipsychotic is the commonly prescribed than trihexyphenidyl is the anticholinergic that prescribed regularly with typical antipsychotic for the prevension of extrapyramidal symptoms. Conclusion: Psychotic illness patients mainly advised monotherapy of antipsychotic drugs, mainly atypical antipsychotic drugs, and olanzapine is the most prescribed antipsychotic drugs. Trihexyphenidyl is the only antichoninergic drug co-prescribed with typical antipsychotic drugs to avoid extrapyramidal side effects. Keywords: Drug utilization study , psychotic illness, psychotropic drugs
Host-derived glucose and its transporter in the obligate intracellular pathogen Toxoplasma gondii are dispensable by glutaminolysis

Toxoplasma gondii, as an obligate intracellular and promiscuous pathogen of mammalian cells, utilizes host sugars for energy and to generate glycoconjugates that are important to its survival and virulence. Here, we report that T. gondii glucose transporter (TgGT1) is proficient in transporting mannose, galactose, and fructose besides glucose, and serves as a major hexose transporter at its plasma membrane. Toxoplasma harbors 3 additional putative sugar transporters (TgST1–3), of which TgST2 is expressed at its surface, whereas TgST1 and TgST3 are intracellular. Surprisingly, TgGT1 and TgST2 are nonessential to the parasite as their ablations inflict only a 30% or no defect in its intracellular growth, respectively. Indeed, Toxoplasma can also tolerate the deletion of both genes while incurring no further growth phenotype. Unlike Δtgst2, the modest impairment in Δtggt1 and Δtggt1/Δtgst2 mutants is because of a minor delay in their intracellular replication, which is a direct consequence of the abolished import of glucose. The Δtggt1 displays an attenuated motility in defined minimal media that is rescued by glutamine. TgGT1-complemented parasites show an entirely restored growth, motility, and sugar import. The lack of exogenous glucose in Δtggt1 culture fails to accentuate its intrinsic growth defect and prompts it to procure glutamine to sustain its metabolism. Unexpectedly, in vivo virulence of Δtggt1 in mice remains unaffected. Taken together, our data demonstrate that glucose is nonessential for T. gondii tachyzoites, underscore glutamine is a complement substrate, and provide a basis for understanding the adaptation of T. gondii to diverse host cells.
Highly Stretchable and Highly Conductive Metal Electrode by Very Long Metal Nanowire Percolation Network

A highly stretchable metal electrode is developed via the solution-processing of very long (>100 μm) metallic nanowires and subsequent percolation network formation via low-temperature nanowelding. The stretchable metal electrode from very long metal nanowires demonstrated high electrical conductivity (~9 ohm sq(-1) ) and mechanical compliance (strain > 460%) at the same time. This method is expected to overcome the performance limitation of the current stretchable electronics such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, and buckled nanoribbons.
Mechanisms of NKT cell anergy induction involve Cbl-b-promoted monoubiquitination of CARMA1

Repeated injection of α-galactosylceramide, an agonistic ligand for natural killer T (NKT) cells, results in long-term unresponsiveness or anergy, which severely limits its clinical application. However, the molecular mechanisms leading to NKT anergy induction remain unclear. We show here that the decreased IFN-γ production and failed tumor rejection observed in anergized NKT cells are rescued by Cbl-b deficiency. Cbl-b E3 ligase activity is critical for the anergy induction, as revealed by the similarity between Cbl-b−/− and its RING finger mutant NKT cells. Cbl-b binds and promotes monoubiquitination to CARMA1, a critical signaling molecule in NFκB activation. Ubiquitin conjugation to CARMA1 disrupts its complex formation with Bcl10 without affecting its protein stability. In addition, CARMA1−/− NKT cells are defective in IFN-γ production. The study identifies an important signaling pathway linking Cbl-b-induced monoubiquitination to NFκB activation in NKT cell anergy induction, which may help design approaches for human cancer therapy.
Presynaptic NR2A-containing NMDA receptors implement a high-pass filter synaptic plasticity rule

The detailed characterization of synaptic plasticity has led to the replacement of simple Hebbian rules by more complex rules depending on the order of presynaptic and postsynaptic action potentials. Here, we describe a mechanism endowing a plasticity rule with additional computational complexity—a dependence on the pattern of presynaptic action potentials. The classical Hebbian rule is based on detection of conjunctive presynaptic and postsynaptic activity by postsynaptic NMDA receptors, but there is also accumulating evidence for the existence of presynaptic NMDA receptors in several brain structures. Here, we examine the role of presynaptic NMDA receptors in defining the temporal structure of the plasticity rule governing induction of long-term depression (LTD) at the cerebellar parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapse. We show that multiple presynaptic action potentials at frequencies between 40 Hz and 1 kHz are necessary for LTD induction. We characterize the subtype, kinetics, and role of presynaptic NMDA receptors involved in the induction of LTD, showing how the kinetics of the NR2A subunits expressed by parallel fibers implement a high-pass filter plasticity rule that will selectively attenuate synapses undergoing high-frequency bursts of activity. Depending on the type of NMDA receptor subunit expressed, high-pass filters of different corner frequencies could be implemented at other synapses expressing NMDA autoreceptors.
Flexible, Angle‐Independent, Structural Color Reflectors Inspired by Morpho Butterfly Wings

Thin-film color reflectors inspired by Morpho butterflies are fabricated. Using a combination of directional deposition, silica microspheres with a wide size distribution, and a PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) encasing, a large, flexible reflector is created that actually provides better angle-independent color characteristics than Morpho butterflies and which can even be bent and folded freely without losing its Morpho-mimetic photonic properties.
Hemoglobin Genotype and Fertility in a Malarial Environment: Limon, Costa Rica

The University of Kansas has long historical connections with Central America and the many Central Americans who have earned graduate degrees at KU. This work is part of the Central American Theses and Dissertations collection in KU ScholarWorks and is being made freely available with permission of the author through the efforts of Professor Emeritus Charles Stansifer of the History department and the staff of the Scholarly Communications program at the University of Kansas Libraries’ Center for Digital Scholarship.
PMut: a web-based tool for the annotation of pathological variants on proteins, 2017 update

Abstract We present here a full update of the PMut predictor, active since 2005 and with a large acceptance in the field of predicting Mendelian pathological mutations. PMut internal engine has been renewed, and converted into a fully featured standalone training and prediction engine that not only powers PMut web portal, but that can generate custom predictors with alternative training sets or validation schemas. PMut Web portal allows the user to perform pathology predictions, to access a complete repository of pre-calculated predictions, and to generate and validate new predictors. The default predictor performs with good quality scores (MCC values of 0.61 on 10-fold cross validation, and 0.42 on a blind test with SwissVar 2016 mutations). The PMut portal is freely accessible at http://mmb.irbbarcelona. org/PMut. A complete help and tutorial is available at http://mmb.irbbarcelona. org/PMut/help.
The Students＇ Views Related to the Given Homeworks in the Science and Technology Courses： A Qualitative Study

This study has been created as a qualitative search related the given homeworks in the science and technology courses in order to examine the students’ views. The sample consists of 1,539 7thand 8thgrade students in the city centre of Osmaniye. The search data is obtained from by using five open-ended questions. In the analysis of the data, content analysis method is used. As a result of the research, it is found that the students’ perceptions for the homeworks are about understanding the subjects better, as reviews, responsibilities, homeworks to be done at home and doing researches. Also, it is concluded that there is a difference between the type of the homeworks given to the students and the homeworks which the students prefer doing. It is found that the students have difficulty in reaching the information from the resources, providing the tools, doing the hard homeworks, and doing the homeworks without understanding the subject. Finally, it is concluded that by these homeworks, the students understand the subject better, develop their skills (hand, research, observation, experiment, reading, and writing skills), get information about the natural events and living beings, solve tests in a shorter time, and get information about current events.
Clinical trial: a randomized trial comparing fluoroscopy guided percutaneous technique vs. endoscopic ultrasound guided technique of coeliac plexus block for treatment of pain in chronic pancreatitis

Background Coeliac plexus block (CPB) is a management option for pain control in chronic pancreatitis. CPB is conventionally performed by percutaneous technique with fluoroscopic guidance (PCFG). Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is increasingly used for CPB as it offers a better visualization of the plexus. There are limited data comparing the two modalities.