Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hexanol biosynthesis from syngas by Clostridium carboxidivorans P7 is enhanced by in‑line extraction with a biocompatible solvent to avoid product toxicity

Background Clostridium carboxidivorans P7 has the rare ability to metabolize syngas – a mixture of H2, CO and CO2 – by converting it directly into industrially relevant alcohols (hexanol, butanol and ethanol) and the corresponding acids (caproate, butyrate and acetate). The product titers and ratios are highly dependent on the fermentation parameters and the composition of the syngas and growth medium. The hexanol titers produced by C. carboxidivorans P7 have recently been improved by optimizing these conditions, but little is known about the toxicity of hexanol towards Clostridium species. We hypothesized that the hexanol titers currently produced by C. carboxidivorans P7 are limited by product toxicity. Results We tested our hypothesis by exposing C. carboxidivorans P7 to different concentrations of hexanol and found that growth inhibition started at 10–12 mM, with an IC50 of 17.5 ± 1.6 mM. The presence of 20 mM hexanol was acutely toxic to C. carboxidivorans P7 as well as the model acetogen C. ljungdahlii, which does not produce hexanol. To avoid product toxicity, we added a biocompatible solvent (oleyl alcohol) to fed-batch bottle fermentations of C. carboxidivorans. This increased the total hexanol titers by 2.5-fold from 9.4 to 24.4 mM. Cell growth and product profiles in the aqueous phase after fermentation were similar in cultures with and without oleyl alcohol. The extraction phase contained high levels of hexanol (436 ± 101 mM) and butanol (100.3 ± 17.8 mM) as well as low levels of ethanol and traces of caproate. Conclusions Product toxicity was confirmed as a limiting factor during the conversion of syngas to hexanol by C. carboxidivorans P7. The addition of oleyl alcohol as a biocompatible solvent led to a significant increase in hexanol titers by facilitating the efficient and selective extraction of this product. We have therefore identified an in-line extraction strategy that increases the yield of hexanol and should allow for further improvements by genetic adaptation and/or process optimization.
Unbiased prediction modeling for discovery research in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a highly prevalent yet underdiagnosed and under-discussed disease. Given that NAFLD has not been explored sufficiently compared with other diseases, opportunities abound for scientists to discover new biomarkers (such as laboratory observations, current comorbidities, and behavioral descriptors) that can be linked to the development of conditions and complications that may develop at a later stage of the patient’s life.Methods: We analyzed IBM Explorys, a repository that contains electronic medical records (EMRs) of more than 60 million individuals. We used a classification algorithm that members of our group have previously validated to identify patients at a high probability for NAFLD. The algorithm identified more than 80,000 patients with a high probability for NAFLD who had at least 5 years of follow-up. We followed an unbiased approach for prediction modeling and applied standard statistical methods (such as logistic regression and bootstrapping) as well as Clinical Classifications Software (CCS) definitions to identify associations between a variety of covariates and disease outcomes.Results: Our methodology identified several thousand strongly statistically significant associations between covariates and outcomes in NAFLD. Most of the associations are known, but others may be new and require further investigation in subsequent studies.Conclusions: A discovery mechanism composed of standard statistical methods and applied on a large collection of EMRs confirmed known associations and identified potentially new associations that can act as biomarkers that might merit further research.
Common Auditors and Private Bank Loans

We show that when banks and borrowers share the same audit firm, borrowers receive lower interest rates, after controlling for potentially confounding director connectedness. The common auditor effect is observed only for opaque borrowers, and is greatest when the same audit engagement office audits the bank and borrower. A common auditor connection also matters more for longer-tenured auditors, for geographically proximate borrowers, and when the syndicate involves fewer lenders. The effect does not hold for auditors recently sanctioned by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). Finally, the interest rate discount is not the consequence of homophily or biased decision-making, based on a comparison of post-loan performance of firms with common-auditor loans versus those with non-common-auditor loans.
Oxidative Stability of Purified DHA Oil from Schizochytrium sp.

The oxidative stability of purified DHA oil from Schizochytrium sp.was studied.The change of fatty acid composition and minor components in DHA oil was determined by the multilayer chromatography.Methanol extract of DHA oil was also investigated for its 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) radical scavenge activity.The oxidative stability of purified and non-purified DHA oil under light and Schaal oven conditions was monitored by measuring peroxide value(PV) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances(TBARS). Results showed that DPPH radical scavenging ability of methanol extract and the oxidative stability of DHA oil decreased significantly after removal of minor compounds by methanol extraction.
A Friend or a Foe in Exile: An Experimental Analysis of Punishment in the Zaatari Refugee Camp in Jordan

Are refugees likely to be nasty in a gated community? This paper investigates the willingness of Syrian refugee groups in the Zaatari refugee camp to engage in destructive behavior under the shadow of scarcity and competition. The paper uses the joy-of-destruction game to test the exogenous impact of resource scarcity. Results show that Syrian refugees living in districts with less facilities are more likely to display anti-social behavior. Syrians show an in-group behavioral bias towards their own districts’ inhabitants versus the inhabitants of the other districts in the camp.
More than six weeks to resolve from CT manifestations in COVID-19 patient: A case report

Background: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbroke in Wuhan and spread to the world recently. But there were little studies on how long it took to recover from treatment beginning and resolve from chest computed tomography (CT) imaging so far.Case presentation: A patient diagnosed with severe type of COVID-19 was reported in this study. He was the first patient recovered and discharged from our hospital located in Guangzhou city. Initial chest computed tomography (CT) images of him showed bilateral multiple lobular peripheral ground-glass opacities without consolidation. Features and changes of his chest CT images from admission to discharge and follow-up were demonstrated. It took more than six weeks for lesion resolution in CT manifestations although the symptoms improved for a period of time after proper treatment. Conclusions: Repeated chest CT imaging for a period of more than six weeks in patients of COVID-19 is necessary to ascertain the lesion resolution and completely recovery. The result could be supplementary data to COVID-19 and help health care providers manage the COVID-19 patients.
Co-infections in COVID-19 patients and the importance of microbial diagnosis for disease management

1 Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry, Baku State University, 23 academician Z.Khalilov Str. , Baku AZ1148, Azerbaijan Joint Ukraine-Azerbaijan International Research and Education Center of Nanobiotechnology and Functional Nanosystems, Drohobych, Ukraine & Baku, Azerbaijan Institute of Radiation Problems, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, 9 B.Vahabzadeh Str. , Baku AZ1143, Azerbaijan Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran * For correspondence: hasanhosainy122@yahoo.com
Predictors of Mortality among Adult People Living with HIV and Its Implications for Appointment Spacing Model Approach Care in Southwest Ethiopia.

Introduction: Antiretroviral Therapy has markedly improved survival of people living with human Immune virus. Yet, the full potential benefits of the therapy depend on understanding of predictors of mortality among PLWHA. The aim of this study was to assess predictors of mortality among adult PLWHA in Jimma Zone Public Hospitals. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted among 676 adult PLWHA who enrolled to ART clinic from September 1st, 2012 - August 30, 2016. Multivariable Cox Regression analysis was used to identify predictors of mortality using 95% confidence interval (CI) and at P value ≤ 0.05 cut of point. Results The total person-time contributed was 28,209 person-months with an overall mortality incidence rate of 11 per 1000 person-months observation. The cumulative mortality incidence among females over the study period was 16.8% (64/382). The predictors of mortality were found severe Undernourishment (AHR: 3.7; 95% CI: 1.6, 6.7) and moderate malnutrition (AHR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.7, 7.5) at base line, younger age (AHR:2.1; 95% CI: 1.7, 3.3), female (AHR: 2.8; 95% CI: 2.1,4.6), single (AHR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.8, 3.8), divorced (AHR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.3,3.9) Illiterate (AHR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.9, 4.8), lack of disclosure (AHR: 3.6; 95%: 1.7, 9.5), WHO clinical stage IV (AHR: 3.7; 95% CI: 1.7, 5.3), seeking treatment out of catchment area (AHR:3.6; 95% CI: 1.5,5.4), rural residence (AHR:2.1; 95% CI:1.4, 3.3), and immunological failure (AHR:1.7; 95% CI: 1.3, 2.7). Conclusions Poor nutritional status at baseline, advanced HIV disease, occurrence of treatment failure, female sex, substance use disorders, lack of social support, immunological failures, clinical failures, and younger age, low level of education and poor physical access to healthcare facility were found to be important predictors of mortality. Intervening, those factors as routine and part of “appointment spacing model care” can improve survival of PLWHA.
EXPANSION OF OPTICAL PROPERTIES IN TIOX NANOPARTICLES BY THEIR LASER-MEDIATED ALLOYING WITH AG

TiOx nanoparticles are large bandgap materials that attract a great deal of attention for their use in light-powered applications. However, their utility is often restricted to employing energy from the ultraviolet (U.V.) or the second near-infrared solar spectrum region. In the current contribution, we expand the optical response of this material by its laser-mediated alloying with Ag nanoparticles, of which surface plasmon resonance activity allows the absorption of the visible solar spectrum region. For this, we produce the laser ablation of a Ti foil immersed in an aqueous solution of silver nitrate (AgNO 3 ). The analysis of the material using transmission electron microscopy, inductive coupled plasma mass spectroscopy, and UV-vis spectroscopy enabled recognizing that the use of the minimal AgNO 3 solution of 1 mM leads to the optimal synthesis of nanoalloys with the coexisting crystalline phases TiO (JPDS database: PDF 00-043-1296), and Ag (PDF 00-004-0783), the bimodal size distribution centered at 60 and 130 nm, the elemental composition of 31.22% Ag and 68.78% Ti, and finally, the absorbance edges centered at 400, and 638 nm. Unlike conventional methodologies, in the presented approach, no special conditions or hazardous reducing agents are required. Therefore, we believe the current work will be of great interest in the facile and waste-reducing synthesis of nanoalloys composed by elements with contrasting optical properties.
Evaluation of a radiolabeled somatostatin analog for SPECT imaging of pro-inflammatory macrophages

Background: Macrophages are crucial in the development and progression of various diseases. To monitor their role, various proteins expressed by macrophages may be used as imaging target. In this preclinical study we investigate the value of the somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SSTR2) as a novel imaging marker for pro-inflammatory macrophages, using an experimental osteoarthritis (OA) mouse model. Methods: SSTR2 gene expression levels in pro-inflammatory macrophages and human synovium was determined by qPCR. Tracer binding was determined in macrophages and human osteoarthritic synovium after in vitro stimulation with IFN γ and TNF α . Presence of pro-inflammatory macrophages in OA mice was determined by anti-CD64 + staining. Accumulation of the tracer in OA knees was determined by μSPECT. Results: Human macrophages and synovial tissue stimulated with IFN γ +TNF α had significantly upregulated SSTR2 gene expression and showed increased uptake of SSTR2-targeting tracer. Shortly after OA induction an increase in the presence of pro-inflammatory macrophages was seen as assessed by immunohitochemsitry. Similar findings were obtained with SPECT, with peak uptake of the SSTR2-targeting tracer immediately after surgery followed by a gradual decrease during the course of the next 8 weeks. Conclusions : Pro-inflammatory macrophages have elevated SSTR2 expression which makes it possible to image an inflammatory process in the knee with a radiolabeled somatostatin analog for SPECT.
Effect of Body Size on Metal Concentrations in Farmed Cirrhinus mrigala

In this study, metals such as zinc, iron, copper, manganese, sodium, potassium and magnesium in freshwater Cirrhinus mrigala (whole fish) have been analyzed and their relationships with fish length and weight have been derived. Mean concentrations (mg·g -1 dry weight) of the metals in carcasses of farmed C. mrigala have been found to be 65.7 (Zn), 50.3 (Mn), 538 (Fe), 24.1 (Cu), 1182 (Na), 9850 (K) and 2155 (Mg). Lead and nickel concentrations were below the limit of detection of the technique. All the metals show isometric relationships with increasing body weight of C. mrigala . Sodium indicates positive allometry whereas zinc shows negative allometry with increasing body length. However, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium and manganese show isometric relationships with increasing body length.
Understanding the Association Between Social Networks, College Student Alcohol Use, and Protective Behavioral Strategy Use and Beliefs

UNDERSTANDING THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SOCIAL NETWORKS, COLLEGE STUDENT ALCOHOL USE, AND PROTECTIVE BEHAVIORAL STRATEGY USE AND BELIEFS Melissa Roberts Colangelo Old Dominion University, 2020 Director: Dr. Abby L. Braitman Heavy drinking and alcohol-related problems are a growing concern for American college students (Jun, Agley, Huang, & Gassman, 2015). Social networks, or peer groups, have demonstrated predictive associations with college students’ alcohol outcomes (Neighbors, Lee, Lewis, Fossos, & Larimer, 2007). Protective behavioral strategies (PBS), defined as behaviors used to reduce negative alcohol-related consequences, are often assessed as a mechanism of change and predictor of alcohol outcomes (Martens, Taylor, Damann, Page, Mowry, & Cimini, 2004). Still, the association between social networks’ and college students’ own PBS use has yet to be explored. The current study was designed to address this gap in the literature to better understand the association between social network members’ drinking-related behaviors and college students’ alcohol use. Participants (n = 566) were undergraduates who completed the web-based survey for research credit in participating psychology classes. Students were asked about their alcohol use, PBS use, and beliefs about PBS, as well as the perceived alcohol use and PBS use of five members of their social networks. Results show that a larger proportion of social network members reported as heavy drinkers was a significant predictor of higher alcohol quantity, higher peak alcohol use, and more alcohol-related problems by participants. A larger proportion of social network members reported as light drinkers or abstainers was a significant predictor of more PBS use by participants. Additionally, a larger proportion of high PBS using social network members was a significant predictor of more PBS use and perceived importance of PBS by participants. Closeness (i.e., amount of time spent with the individual social network members) did not moderate any of these associations.
Influence of Forage Diversity and Condensed Tannins on Livestock Foraging Behavior, Production and Environmental Impact

Diverse combinations of forages with different nutrient profiles and plant secondary compounds may improve intake and nutrient utilization by ruminants. We tested the influence of diverse dietary combinations of tannin(sainfoin-Onobrichis viciifolia; birdsfoot trefoil-Lotus corniculatus) and non-tannin(alfalfa-Medicago sativa L.) containing legumes on intake and diet digestibility in lambs. Freshly-cut birdsfoot trefoil, alfalfa and sainfoin were offered in ad libitum amounts to 42 lambs in individual pens assigned to 7 treatments (6 animals/treatment): (i) single forage species [sainfoin (SF), birdsfoot trefoil (BFT) and alfalfa (ALF)], (ii) all possible 2-way choices of the three forage species [alfalfa-sainfoin (ALF-SF), alfalfa-birdsfoot trefoil (ALF-BFT) and sainfoin-birdsfoot trefoil (SF-BFT)], or (iii) a choice of all three forages [alfalfa-sainfoinbirdsfoot trefoil (ALF-SF-BFT)]. Dry matter intake (DMI) was greater in ALF than in BFT (P=0.002), and DMI in SF tended to be greater than in BFT (P=0.053). However, when alfalfa was offered in a choice with either of the tannin-containing legumes (ALF1 I acknowledge Oxford University Press for permissions to reprint the following article as the Chapter 2 of my dissertation: Lagrange, S., Villalba, J.J., 2019. Tannin-containing legumes and forage diversity influence foraging behavior, diet digestibility, and nitrogen excretion by lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 97, 3994–4009. 57 SF; ALF-BFT), DMI did not differ from ALF, whereas DMI in SF-BFT did not differ from SF (P>0.10). When lambs were allowed to choose between two or three legume species, DMI was greater (36.6 vs 33.2 g/kg BW; P=0.038) or tended to be greater (37.4 vs 33.2 g/kg BW; P=0.067) than when lambs were fed single species respectively. Intake did not differ between twoor three-way choice treatments (P=0.723). Lambs preferred alfalfa over the tannin-containing legumes in a 70:30 ratio for 2-way choices, and alfalfa>sainfoin>birdsfoot trefoil in a 53:33:14 ratio for the 3-way choice. In vivo digestibility (DMD) was SF > BFT (72.0 vs 67.7%; P=0.012) and DMD in BFT tended to be greater than in ALF (64.6%; P=0.061). Nevertheless, when alfalfa was offered in a choice with either sainfoin or birdsfoot trefoil (ALF-SF; ALF-BFT), DMD was greater than ALF (P<0.001 and P=0.007, respectively) suggesting positive associative effects. The SF treatment had lower blood urea nitrogen and greater fecal N/N Intake ratios than the ALF, BFT or ALF-BFT treatments (P<0.05), implying a shift in the site of N excretion from urine to feces. In conclusion, offering diverse combinations of legumes to sheep enhanced intake and diet digestibility relative to feeding single species, while allowing for the incorporation of beneficial bioactive compounds like condensed tannins into the diet.
Demographic Variables as Predictors of Risky Sexual Behaviour among University Students in South East, Nigeria

Introduction: Risky sexual behaviour (RSB) has increasingly become an issue in academic discourse at the turn of the century, even in the Nigerian context. It is however, either often studied uni-dimensionally or studied for its health promoting and aetiological implications. This study thus set out to determine the predictive capacity of demographic variables (gender and religiosity) over dimensions of risky sexual behaviour such as early sexual debut, random sexual activity and disregard for protection during sex among university students in South East Nigeria. Method: The correlational research design was adopted for the study. A research question was asked and a null hypothesis was formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance to guide the study. Multistage sampling was used in selecting 1200 students for the study. The Undergraduates’ Risky Sexual Behaviour Questionnaire (URSBQ) was used to collect data for the study and it consisted of 15 items. The research question was answered using Pearson Correlation statistics. The null hypothesis was tested using multiple regression analysis. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. Results: The correlational matrix of variables indicated a significant positive relationship between gender and the three dimensions of risky sexual behaviour. Religiosity had a significant negative relationship with total RSB and only two dimensions of RSB (random sexual activity and disregard for protection during sex) except early sexual debut. The multiple regression analysis for predictor variables and total risky sexual behaviour gave an indication that the predictor variables jointly contributed 3.2% to explain the variances in response. Each predictor variable made significant individual contributions to the variances in response, based on the standardized Beta coefficients, among other findings. Discussion and Conclusion: The findings of the study formed the fulcrum of the discussion, which extended to the multiple regression analysis for predictor variables and each of the dimensions of risky sexual behaviour with respect to their joint and individual contributions to the variances in response. It was thus concluded among others that gender and religiosity both significantly predicted total risky sexual behaviour, but religiosity did not significantly predict all three dimensions of the criterion variable.
mTOR in inflammatory skin diseases: Review of the literature and our experience

The mTORC1 protein complex consists of multiple components such as the serine/threonine kinase mTOR and the regulatoryassociated protein of mTOR (Raptor). Three highly researched upstream modulators of mTOR are the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3Ks), protein kinase B (Akt). PI3K, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFa) regulates Akt. Increased expression of PI3K, Akt, and TNFa amplifies mTORC1 activity as well (Figure 1) [3,4].
Space Use and Enrichment in a North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis) Exhibit

Exhibit design and environmental enrichment can influence the space use of captive animals. On May 2, 2014, the Tennessee Aquarium opened a new, expanded North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) exhibit, “River Otter Falls. ” The exhibit housed 6 otters (5 male and 1 female). A group of three otters was rotated in the exhibit every 2-2 ½ hours. Using a scan sampling procedure with 30 second intervals, the location and number of the otters was marked in one 9 areas of the exhibit. The number of otters not visible was also counted. The study lasted for 4 months, with 43 sessions each lasting ~45 min. The results showed that the otters tended to use all areas of the exhibit rather than confining themselves to one or a few areas. (total SPI = 0.35) and were visible 98% of the time. G-tests showed that the otters were using the areas significantly different from chance with variations in how they are using each individual area of the exhibit. Comparisons of the visibility and location after enrichment showed that the otters tended to use the exhibit less uniformly during enrichment, but increased time spent in areas of the exhibit with greater visibility and proximity to guests. During enrichment sessions, otters were more visible in the areas of the tank that visitors may see most easily, empathizing the role that enrichment can have on space use of an enclosure and visibility of animals in captivity.