Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expression of full and fragment-B of diphtheria toxin genes in Escherichia coli for generating of recombinant diphtheria vaccines

Purpose In the present study, whole diphtheria toxin (dt) and fragment B (dtb) genes from Corynebacterium diphtheriae Park William were cloned into Escherichia coli, the purified expressed proteins were evaluated for ultimately using as a candidate vaccine. Materials and Methods The dt and dtb genes were isolated from bacterial strain ATCC (American Type Culture Collection) no. 13812. Plasmid pET29a+ was extracted by DNA-spin TM plasmid purification kit where genes were inserted using BamHI and HindIII-HF. Cloned pET29a+dt and pET29a+dtb plasmids were transformed into E. coli BL21(DE3)PlysS as expression host. The identity of the sequences was validated by blasting the sequence (BLASTn) against all the reported nucleotide sequences in the NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) GenBank. Production of proteins in high yield by different types and parameters of fermentation to determine optimal conditions. Lastly, the purified concentrated rdtx and rdtb were injected to BALB/c mice and antibody titers were detected. Results The genetic transformation of E. coli DH5α and E. coli BL21 with the pET-29a(+) carrying the dt and dtb genes was confirmed by colony polymerase chain reaction assay and were positive to grow on Luria-Bertani/kanamycin medium. The open reading frame of dt and dtb sequences consisted of 1,600 bp and 1,000 bp, were found to be 100% identical to dt and dtb sequence of C. diphtheriae (accession number KX702999.1 and KX702993.1) respectively. The optimal condition for high cell density is fed-batch fermentation production to express the rdtx and rdtb at 280 and 240 Lf/mL, dissolved oxygen was about 24% and 22% and the dry cell weight of bacteria was 2.41 g/L and 2.18 g/L, respectively. Conclusion This study concluded with success in preparing genetically modified two strains for the production of a diphtheria vaccine, and to reach ideal production conditions to achieve the highest productivity.
Minimally invasive bilateral decompressive lumbar laminectomy with unilateral approach: patient series

BACKGROUND Minimally invasive bilateral decompressive lumbar laminectomy with a unilateral approach is a less destructive procedure compared to the traditional open bilateral laminectomy. The objective of this study is to report the authors’ experience with this technique. The first 26 cases performed using the unilateral approach for bilateral decompression are described. Baseline characteristics, operative time, blood loss, and intraoperative complications were collected retrospectively. No specific surgical equipment is needed for this technique. OBSERVATIONS Twenty-six patients and a total of 40 lumbar levels were treated. Mean operative time was 82 minutes per level and mean estimated blood loss was 40.4 mL per level. Mean length of hospitalization was 1.65 days. Cerebrospinal fluid leak occurred in 1 of 26 (3.85%) cases. LESSONS Although improved stabilization needs to be proven in future long-term studies to clearly show a decrease in need for fusion, the initial experience with a unilateral approach is positive and continued use in minimally invasive spine surgery seems promising.
Relationships between Inhibition, Transport and Enhanced Transport via the Organic Cation Transporter 1

The organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1, SLC22A1) transports a large number of structurally diverse endogenous and exogenous substrates. There are numerous known competitive and non-competitive inhibitors of OCT1, but there are no studies systematically analyzing the relationship between transport, stimulation, and inhibition. Here, we tested in vitro OCT1 inhibition by OCT1 substrates and transport of OCT1 inhibitors under uniform analytical conditions. Beyond inhibition testing with two model substrates, we tested nine additional OCT1 substrates for their mutual inhibition. Inhibition of ASP+ uptake by most OCT1 substrates was weak. The model substrate sumatriptan, with its moderately stronger inhibitability, was used to confirm this. Interestingly, OCT1 substrates exhibiting stronger OCT1 inhibition were mainly biaromatic β-agonistic drugs, such as dobutamine, fenoterol, ractopamine and ritodrine. Biaromatic organic cations were both, strong inhibitors and good substrates, but many OCT1 substrates showed little pairwise inhibition. Surprisingly, sumatriptan did significantly enhance dobutamine uptake. This effect was concentration dependent and additional experiments indicated that efflux inhibition may be one of the underlying mechanisms. Our data suggests, that OCT1 substrates are mainly weak OCT1 inhibitors and among those inhibiting well, noncompetitive inhibition could be responsible. Weak competitive inhibition confirms that OCT1 inhibition screenings poorly predict OCT1 substrates. Additionally, we showed that the OCT1 substrate sumatriptan can enhance uptake of some other OCT1 substrates. OCT1 transport stimulation was already observed earlier but is still poorly understood. Low OCT1 uptake inhibition and strong OCT1 efflux inhibition could be mechanisms exploitable for enhancing transport.
The benefit of tissue sealant on urethroplasty in hypospadias patients – A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Hypospadias was ranked second after undescended testis as the most prevalent congenital abnormality in newborn males. Hypospadias can be successfully repaired through multiple surgeries in the majority of children. Postoperative complications were not rarely seen after surgeries, such as urethrocutaneous fistula (UCF), meatal stenosis, and glans breakdown. Tissue sealant application in hypospadias repair serves as additional suture line coverage and reduces the post surgery complications5.However, the effects of sealants usage during urethroplasty are still uncertain. This review aimed to know the effects of tissue sealant usage on patients with hypospadias who undergo urethroplasty. Methods: The study was reported based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Literature was searched on PubMed, Embase, and Scopus following PRISMA guidelines. The search was conducted on October 12th, 2021, using the search term ("glue" OR "sealants" OR "tissue glue" OR "tissue sealant" OR "tissue adhesive") AND ("hypospadias" OR "urethrocutaneous fistula" OR "urethral repair" OR "urethroplasty" OR "hypospadiology"). Result: Systematic searching from all databases resulted in 160 potential articles. After a full-text review, eight articles were included in this study. UCF complication was reported in all studies. The occurrence of complication reported by all studies was urethrocutaneous fistula. Several studies also reported tissue edema and flap-related complications. Tissue sealant had no significant effect in reducing meatal stenosis. Conclusions: This systematic review revealed additional benefits from several types of tissue sealant in hypospadias repair surgery. Fibrin sealant application over the urethroplasty suture line in hypospadias repair offers a water-proof coverage and may enhance the outcome from the surgery.
Whole Life: a feasibility study of a recovery-focussed intervention in patients with stabilised schizophrenia

Background The Recovery Approach is about supporting people to live the best life they possibly can. This paper reports on a 2008–11 study of a recovery-focussed, one-to-one coaching programme called Whole Life (WL) in a group of people with stabilised schizophrenia. WL comprises 15 modules, each addressing an aspect of life that may pose challenges for someone with mental illness. It involves regular meetings with a coach, additional homework activities and lasts approximately one-year. This level of commitment requires participants to be motivated and enthusiastic. Methods This was a non-randomised feasibility study, designed to assess acceptability and potential benefits of WL. The WL group was compared to another group of people with the same diagnosis, who received their usual treatment. This was not a strict control group. The primary outcome measure was the Social Adaptation Self-Assessment Scale. Results Of those recruited to the WL group, 33/44 (75%) completed the full programme. WL participants showed an 11-point increase in mean SASS between baseline and Week 60. Subjective ratings showed benefits of WL at 3 and 6 months after the intervention had ceased, with most saying they felt better and none saying that they felt worse. The comparison group was more ill than the WL group at baseline and showed some improvement over the course of the study, albeit at a lower level than the WL group. However, controlling for baseline group differences meant that none of the outcome measures could reliably distinguish between WL and comparison groups. Conclusions The study showed that WL is an acceptable and helpful intervention for motivated and enthusiastic individuals. It may have wider applicability for people with a less serious and chronic mental illness, although we do not know how it compares to other interventions. We discuss some methodological limitations of the study.
Interfacial Effect on Photo-Modulated Magnetic Properties of Core/Shell-Structured NiFe/NiFe2O4 Nanoparticles

Photo-modulated magnetism has become an emerging method for technological applications, such as magneto-optical devices. In this work, by introducing oxygen during rapid thermal annealing, NiFe/NiFe2O4 core/shell nanoparticles were successfully fabricated by pulsed laser deposition. Obvious photo-modulated ferromagnetism was observed in core/shell nanoparticles confined in Al2O3 film. Theoretical and experimental investigations indicate much more photogenerated electrons are captured at the interface of NiFe/NiFe2O4 compared with NiFe nanoparticles due to interfacial effect, resulting in the improved ferromagnetism under light irradiation. This work provides a promising strategy for optical engineering design of optical information storage, high-speed wireless communication, and magneto-optical semiconductor devices.
Do student teachers see what learners see? – Avoiding instructional dissonance when designing worksheets

or assigned as homework. Our post-observational discussions suggested that the importance of implementing a carefully crafted worksheet is generally not fully recognised in teacher education programmes and these student teachers had not been guided to design worksheets which could support literacy acquisition. They were inclined to draft or print off a ‘worksheet’ indiscriminately which seemed to entertain or keep learners busy rather than enhancing learning. We noted too that the judicious Background: The judicious use of worksheets ought to contribute to the establishment of literacy, with a special significance for multilingual classrooms where neither teachers nor learners are mother tongue speakers of the instructional language. Disparity between the pedagogical intention of the worksheet and learners’ interpretation of the message often creates instructional dissonance. Aim and setting: The aim of this nested study was to establish the quality, and (mis)use of worksheets as implemented by student teachers during their work-integrated learning stint in selected urban South African primary schools. Design and methodology: Using a self-designed grid, a qualitative document analysis underpinned by visual ethnography was conducted on 45 worksheets. These texts were prepared by the student teachers for literacy, numeracy and life skills lessons offered to 6- to 9-year-olds. Criteria used for the simple analysis included appropriateness for the age group, visual complexity, accuracy of language use, cultural compatibility, layout, clarity of instructions and alignment with expected learning outcomes. Findings: Findings suggested the hasty conceptualisation and creation, or inappropriate choice of worksheets used as learning support material. Apart from linguistic barriers because of poorly formulated tasks, the worksheets were generally culturally insensitive, and contained grammatical inaccuracies compounded by technical and design shortcomings. These lacunae defeated the pedagogical purpose of most worksheets and generated instructional dissonance. Conclusion and implications for teacher education: The careful crafting and implementation of worksheets coupled with sound content knowledge of language and literacy principles would alleviate learner bafflement and enhance the learning opportunity. We take the position that well-designed worksheets should serve a focused purpose and link directly to literacy and learning of the instructional language.
Throughput Estimation with Regard to Airtime Consumption Unfairness in Mixed Data Rate Wi-Fi Networks

throughput available for a particular wireless client especially in case when all clients are busy transmitting and receiving data. In this paper we focus on estimating throughput unfairness existing in wireless networks incorporating both low and high data rate clients. This is one of the most topical and yet not effectively resolved performance issues in mixed Wi-Fi networks occurred when high-speed 802.11n clients have to share 802.11n access points together with the legacy 802.11a/b/g clients [2]. Besides, this problem arises when one of the wireless clients is forced to reduce its data rate because of the weak strength of The paper discusses throughput unfairness inherent in the very nature of mixed data rate Wi-Fi networks employing random media access control technique CSMA/CA. This unfairness exhibits itself through the fact that slow clients consume more airtime to transfer a given amount of data, leaving less airtime for other clients. This decreases the overall network throughput and significantly degrades performance of high data rate clients. In the paper we propose mathematical models considering airtime unfairness and estimating wireless networks throughput depending on number of network connections and their data rates. These models show that all wireless clients have an equal throughput independently of data rates used by them. We verify our theoretical findings by running natural experiment and show that client’s throughput approximates to the data rate of the slowest client.
The Post-Activation Potentiation Effects on Sprinting Abilities in Junior Tennis Players

Objective: This study aimed to compare the acute effects of a full squat (SQ) or hip thrust (HT) with two different loading intensities (60% and 85% 1 RM) on sprint ability in junior male tennis players. Methods: Nineteen tennis players were included in this research. They underwent four different experimental conditions: HT at 60% 1 RM, HT at 85% 1 RM, SQ at 60% 1 RM, or SQ at 85%. The force–velocity (F–V) profile was used to assess tennis players’ sprint acceleration ability before and after applying the conditioning stimulus. The variables registered were as follows: 5 m test (5 m), 10 m test (10 m), maximum theoretical force (F0), maximum power (Pmax), and the maximal ratio of horizontal-to-resultant force (RFpeak). Results: Significant improvements in 5 m, Pmax, and RFpeak were observed when the conditioning stimulus was performing one set of seven reps of HT at 60% 1 RM. When the activation protocol was one set of seven reps of SQ at 60% 1 RM, significant improvements in 5 m, 10 m, F0, Pmax (N), and RFpeak were detected. Additionally, performing one set of three reps of SQ at 85% 1 RM as an activation protocol provided significant improvements in F0. Conclusion: The use of HT and SQ with a load of 60% 1 RM improved the sprint F–V profile components related to the acceleration phase of the sprint in junior tennis players. Using intensity loads of 85% 1 RM is not adequate to increase acute sprint performance in this population. HT presents a higher transferability to sprinting in the first 5 m of sprinting, whereas SQ provides acute improvements in different sprinting phases.
Ganciclovir Pharmacokinetics and Individualized Dosing Based on Covariate in Lung Transplant Recipients

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of ganciclovir in lung transplant recipients, to explore its covariates, and to propose an individualized dosing regimen. Ganciclovir was administered according to the protocol in a standardized intravenous dose of 5 mg/kg twice daily. Serum ganciclovir concentrations were monitored as a trough and at 3 and 5 h after dosing. Individual ganciclovir pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated in a two-compartmental pharmacokinetic model, while regression models were used to explore the covariates. Optimal loading and maintenance doses were calculated for each patient. In lung transplant recipients (n = 40), the median (IQR) ganciclovir total volume of distribution and clearance values were 0.65 (0.52–0.73) L/kg and 0.088 (0.059–0.118) L/h/kg, respectively. We observed medium-to-high inter-individual but negligible intra-individual variability in ganciclovir pharmacokinetics. The volume of distribution of ganciclovir was best predicted by height, while clearance was predicted by glomerular filtration rate. Bodyweight-normalized clearance was significantly higher in patients with cystic fibrosis, while distribution half-life was reduced in this subgroup. On the basis of the observed relationships, practical nomograms for individualized ganciclovir dosing were proposed. The dosing of ganciclovir in patients with cystic fibrosis requires special caution, as their daily maintenance dose should be increased by approximately 50%.
Does Trade Openness Cause Deforestation? A Case Study from Indonesia

Forests are unique resources and environments because, in general, they provide many benefits. Changing the function of forest areas to other functions is inseparable from economic development. As a developing country, Indonesia's economy is still dependent on natural resources to support its development. Economic integration through trade openness plays a vital role in economic growth. Policies that enhance the country's ability to trade will help the economy to develop. The more open the trade regime will make the country specialize in semi-finished input products, its competitive advantage. However, economic integration also creates negative externalities in the form of increased deforestation. This study explores the effect of trade openness on deforestation using a panel data method in 20 provinces in Indonesia from 2008-2018. Not many studies have focused on trade openness, large plantations, and social interactions as the driving forces behind deforestation in Indonesia. From the estimation results of the model, it is known that trade openness, economic growth, and activities of logging and forest conversion each contribute to changes in forest cover. If the commodity price rises, it will impact decreasing forest cover. Also, increasing population and density have decreased forest cover because land outside the forest area is limited.
Latitudinal distribution of the equatorial plasma bubbles: Altitude variability

In this paper, the latitudinal distributions of the equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) and their variability with the observation heights were studied. For this purpose, a detailed comparative analysis of the latitudinal histograms of the EPB occurrence probability obtained at the different altitudes was performed. The data from the ISS-b (∼ 972− 1220km) ROCSAT-1 (∼ 600km) and AE-E (∼ 350− 475km) spacecrafts were used for this purpose. The EPB structures were identified from the ISS-b data as the He density depletions, and from the ROCSAT-1 and AE-E data as the ion density (Ni) depletions. Different seasons during the years of the high solar activity conditions were under consideration. It was obtained that as the observation height increases from ∼ 600km to ∼ 1000km, the mid-latitude maxima in addition to the equatorial maximum develop in the histograms of the EPB occurrence probability. This feature was most pronounced in both the hemispheres of the equinox periods and in the winter hemispheres. At the altitudes of the upper topside ionosphere (∼ 972 − 1220km, ISS-b), the values of the mid-latitude maxima of the EPB occurrence probability become comparable or begin to dominate in relation to the equatorial maximum. This feature is typical for all seasons of the observations. Moreover, it was obtained that the latitudinal positions of the mid-latitude maxima of the EPB occurrence probability shift to the equator with increase in the observation heights. The latter is in good accordance with the latitudinal courses of the magnetic field tubes along which the plasma bubbles that have already reached their ceiling heights are stretched.
Field cycling behavior and breakdown mechanism of ferroelectric Al0.78Sc0.22N films

The effects of field cycling of Al0.78Sc0. 22N capacitors on ferroelectric properties are investigated. In the first hundreds of switching cycles, the reduction in the switching voltage was observed, possibly due to the formation of nitrogen-vacancy to facilitate the atom displacements. With further switching cycles, fatigue effect was observed, especially for domains with low switching voltage. The leakage current analysis indicates continuous downward band bending with the number of switching cycles, effectively reducing the Schottky barrier height for electrons. The breakdown of Al0.78Sc0. 22N films is triggered by the Joule heat due to excessive leakage current. The mechanism is in contrast to conventional ferroelectric materials, where the breakdown is triggered by Joule heat at the local conductive filaments.
A Contingency Theory Approach to Understanding Small Retail Business Continuity During COVID‐19

Small retail businesses are particularly vulnerable to turbulence caused from the COVID‐19 pandemic. To consider what actions retailer owners/managers can take to maneuver during such trying times, this study investigated leadership qualities associated with managing during times of crisis. Through in‐depth interviews with 12 small retail leaders, thematic data analysis revealed an emergence of contingent leadership, including an internal focus on cash flow and employees and an external focus on preserving key stakeholder relationships. Retail leaders displayed a resilient mindset, showing passion, agility, innovation, and relationship development. A conceptual model is proposed to further illustrate findings from the study.
The DARPA/AF Falcon Program: The Hypersonic Technology Vehicle #2 (HTV-2) Flight Demonstration Phase

[Abstract] The DARPA/Air Force Falcon Technology program is developing and validating, in-flight, hypersonic technologies to enable prompt global reach missions. The far-term vision of the hypersonics program is a reusable, aircraft-like hypersonic cruise vehicle that can take-off and land at today's runways and reach anywhere in the world in 2 hours or less. Key enabling technologies for such a vehicle include efficient aerodynamic shaping for high lift to drag, lightweight and durable high temperature materials, thermal management techniques including trajectory shaping, navigation and autonomous flight control, as well as a turbine-based combined cycle (TBCC) propulsion system. A series of hypersonic technology vehicles will be flown to demonstrate these key technologies for a future reusable system. The program will design three different Hypersonic Technology Vehicles (HTVs) to fly these technologies. The program will also investigate and validate current state of the art modeling of the aero and thermal environments for extended hypersonic flight through the upper atmosphere. It is currently impossible to validate models for certain regimes in ground test facilities due to their physical limitations.