Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gating modules of the AMPA receptor pore domain revealed by unnatural amino acid mutagenesis

Significance Glutamate receptors are membrane proteins that incorporate an ion channel domain. Binding of the neurotransmitter glutamate opens the ion channel, a key event in neurotransmission, but also triggers other dynamic changes in protein structure. We have probed these changes in the membrane domain using light-sensitive unnatural amino acids at 30 sites. This approach allowed us to use ultraviolet light to progressively perturb receptor structure local to specified sites. We identify the collar domain and the selectivity filter, a structure that determines the permeant ion species, as exerting unexpectedly broad control over the gating and desensitization of the receptor. This work supports the idea of a dynamic selectivity filter, which in turn, may facilitate pharmacological intervention at this essential receptor. Ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) are responsible for fast synaptic transmission throughout the vertebrate nervous system. Conformational changes of the transmembrane domain (TMD) underlying ion channel activation and desensitization remain poorly understood. Here, we explored the dynamics of the TMD of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)-type iGluRs using genetically encoded unnatural amino acid (UAA) photocross-linkers, p-benzoyl-l-phenylalanine (BzF) and p-azido-l-phenylalanine (AzF). We introduced these UAAs at sites throughout the TMD of the GluA2 receptor and characterized the mutants in patch-clamp recordings, exposing them to glutamate and ultraviolet (UV) light. This approach revealed a range of optical effects on the activity of mutant receptors. We found evidence for an interaction between the Pre-M1 and the M4 TMD helix during desensitization. Photoactivation at F579AzF, a residue behind the selectivity filter in the M2 segment, had extraordinarily broad effects on gating and desensitization. This observation suggests coupling to other parts of the receptor and like in other tetrameric ion channels, selectivity filter gating.
MALAYSIAN JOURNAL OF CONSUMER AND FAMILY ECONOMICS 21 CONSUMERS’ TRUST AND VALUES TOWARDS HALAL COSMETICS AND PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS

Halal is not just applicable to food and drinks consumed internally but also products applied externally. Halal is often associated with products that are safe, clean, healthy and in accordance with the principles of halalan toyyiban. Muslim consumers often face problems to ensure that the products they buy, including cosmetics, are genuinely halal as they can only rely on the certification of the authorities. However, the question is to what extent do Muslim consumers in Malaysia trust the responsible authorities such as Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) in determining the halal status of a product. In addition, the consumers‟ values are also important to determine consumers‟ behaviour. Therefore, the objectives of this paper are to identify consumers‟ level of trust towards JAKIM, the Ministry of Health, the international certification bodies and also the producers of cosmetic and personal care products. In addition, this paper will also determine the value the consumers consider when they buy halal cosmetic products. The multiple regression analysis is used to examine whether trust and values are determinant factors of consumers‟ behaviour towards halal products. A total of 400 Muslim consumers in Klang Valley participated in this study and they were selected through stratified random sampling. The results showed that trust towards JAKIM is the highest, followed by trust towards International Halal certification agency, the MOH and lastly, the producers. Meanwhile, the values associated with halal cosmetics are the quality, followed by emotional, economic, social and lastly conditional values. However, only two variables which are the trust towards MOH, and also emotional value, are significantly affecting the consumers‟ behaviour where the emotional value is the strongest predictive factor. This study is expected to help stakeholders such as JAKIM, the MOH as well as producers of cosmetics products to enhance the Halal industry and therefore increase economy while protecting the welfare of Muslim consumers in Malaysia.
Testing Configuration Changes in Context to Prevent Production Failures

Large-scale cloud services deploy hundreds of configuration changes to production systems daily. At such velocity, configuration changes have inevitably become prevalent causes of production failures. Existing misconfiguration detection and configuration validation techniques only check configuration values. These techniques cannot detect common types of failure-inducing configuration changes, such as those that cause code to fail or those that violate hidden constraints. We present ctests, a new type of tests for detecting failureinducing configuration changes to prevent production failures. The idea behind ctests is simple—connecting production system configurations to software tests so that configuration changes can be tested in the context of code affected by the changes. So, ctests can detect configuration changes that expose dormant software bugs and diverse misconfigurations. We show how to generate ctests by transforming the many existing tests in mature systems. The key challenge that we address is the automated identification of test logic and oracles that can be reused in ctests. We generated thousands of ctests from the existing tests in five cloud systems. Our results show that ctests are effective in detecting failure-inducing configuration changes before deployment. We evaluate ctests on real-world failure-inducing configuration changes, injected misconfigurations, and deployed configuration files from public Docker images. Ctests effectively detect real-world failure-inducing configuration changes, diverse injected misconfigurations and misconfigurations in the deployed files.
Etude des gélatines oenologiques et des mécanismes du collage dans les vins rouges

Les gelatines sont issues de l'hydrolyse partielle, chimique ou enzymatique, du collagene contenu dans les peaux, le tissu conjonctif ou les os des animaux. La densite de charges de surface de ces proteines est etudiee en fonction de differents parametres : pH, degre alcoometrique volumique, concentration en acide tartrique et intensite de l'hydrolyse. Leurs fractionnements par chromatographie d'exclusion, basse pression et haute performance, et par electrophorese capillaire en zone libre sont realises. Les techniques rendent compte de la distribution, en termes de masse et de charges, des gelatines. Lors du collage des vins rouges, les proteines constitutives des gelatines reagissent avec les tanins. Pour la premiere fois, les densites de charges de surface de fractions phenoliques extraites de raisins et de vins rouges sont determinees. Ces composes sont etudies par electrophorese capillaire micellaire, en fonction de leur caractere hydrophobe. L'etude de deux parametres essentiels lors d'un collage (interactions tanins-proteines et clarification) est realisee en solution modele. Elle est basee sur l'evolution de la densite de charges de surface de differentes fractions phenoliques en fonction de l'addition de gelatine. L'influence de la nature de la gelatine (intensite de l'hydrolyse) et de celle des tanins (degre de condensation, combinaisons avec les polysaccharides) sont etudiees. Des essais de collage de vins differents, de par leur origine et leur structure, sont realises avec une meme gelatine, afin de mettre en evidence l'influence de cette operation sur le contenu phenolique des vins rouges. Des degustations d'essais de collage d'un vin avec trois gelatines issues d'un lot unique de matiere premiere et ne se differenciant que par l'ordre du bouillon d'extraction, rendent compte des modifications organoleptiques engendrees par cette technique.
874-882 Tangteerawatana P.pmd

Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Thailand. Cytokines play important roles in defense against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Interleukin (IL)-4 is one of the anti-inflammatory cytokines and has been found to be elevated in TB patients. The common polymorphisms in IL-4 gene, including IL-4-590C/T, IL-4-33C/T, and IL-4-variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) intron 3 have been reported to be associated with risk for some diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate possible associations between the above mentioned three common functional polymorphisms in the IL-4 gene in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in a Thai population. Forty three patients with PTB and 90 healthy control subjects were studied. The three common polymorphisms of the IL-4 gene were determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The allele and genotype frequencies of IL-4 -590 C/T, -33 C/T, VNTR intron 3 polymorphisms did not show significant differences between PTB patients and healthy controls (genotype: p=0.88, p=0.92, p=0.40; allele: p=0.38, p=0.44, p=0.53, respectively). However, the allele distribution of the IL-4 -590 C, -33 C, and VNTR R3 was higher among PTB patients (25.58%, 25.58%, 25.58%, respectively) than among control subjects (20%, 20.48%, 19.44%, respectively). This may suggest that IL-4-590C/T, -33C/T and VNTR intron 3 might play a role in susceptibility to PTB. A larger cohort may possibly help conclude our findings.
Hydroxychloroquine is Effective and Safe for the Treatment of COVID-19, and May be Universally Effective When Used Early Before Hospitalization: A Systematic Review

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has shown efficacy against COVID-19 in some but not all studies. We hypothesized that systematic review would show HCQ to be: effective against COVID-19, more effective when used earlier, not associated with worsening, and safe. METHODS We searched PubMed, Cochrane, EmBase, Google Scholar, and Google for all reports on hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for COVID-19 patients. This included pre-prints and preliminary reports on larger COVID-19 studies. We examined the studies for efficacy, time of administration and safety. HCQ COVID-19 when early, It was found including No unbiased study outcomes with serious
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and human pregnancy: a scoping review

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by infection with a coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Pregnant women show mild or moderate symptoms, with 5% presenting as severe pneumonia. The prevalence and evolution of COVID-19 in pregnancy, including the risk of maternal death, are similar to what is observed in the general population. Radiography, computed tomography or ultrasound imaging examinations are pivotal for the diagnosis and performed when there is clinical suspicion of COVID-19 pneumonia. Lab findings include lymphocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and elevation of D-dimer and ferritin. To date, there is no specific treatment or vaccination for COVID-19. Clinical management of pregnant woman is also similar to that of the general population, with prophylactic antibiotic treatment for bacterial pneumonia and oxygen support. Thromboprophylaxis should be indicated in severe cases, given that pregnancy is a hypercoagulable state that may be exacerbated by COVID-19. Hospital management should focus on treating the mother and protecting the newborn and the healthcare personnel. As regards COVID-19 and perinatal outcomes, premature deliveries are mainly associated with iatrogenic pregnancy termination through cesarean section aimed at conserving maternal well-being. To date, vertical transmission to the fetus has not been demonstrated, either intrauterine or through the birth canal. The virus has not been detected in vaginal fluids, or in breast milk. Breastfeeding may be allowed depending on maternal and neonatal health status. Although there are still many open issues, scientific information related to pregnancy and COVID-19 is being updated continuously.
Spheroplast-Mediated Carbapenem Tolerance in Gram-Negative Pathogens

Antibiotic tolerance, the ability to temporarily sustain viability in the presence of bactericidal antibiotics, constitutes an understudied and yet potentially widespread cause of antibiotic treatment failure. We have previously shown that the Gram-negative pathogen Vibrio cholerae can tolerate exposure to the typically bactericidal β-lactam antibiotics by assuming a spherical morphotype devoid of detectable cell wall material. However, it is unclear how widespread β-lactam tolerance is. ABSTRACT Antibiotic tolerance, the ability to temporarily sustain viability in the presence of bactericidal antibiotics, constitutes an understudied and yet potentially widespread cause of antibiotic treatment failure. We have previously shown that the Gram-negative pathogen Vibrio cholerae can tolerate exposure to the typically bactericidal β-lactam antibiotics by assuming a spherical morphotype devoid of detectable cell wall material. However, it is unclear how widespread β-lactam tolerance is. Here, we tested a panel of clinically significant Gram-negative pathogens for their response to the potent, broad-spectrum carbapenem antibiotic meropenem. We show that clinical isolates of Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella aerogenes, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, but not Escherichia coli, exhibited moderate to high levels of tolerance of meropenem, both in laboratory growth medium and in human serum. Importantly, tolerance was mediated by cell wall-deficient spheroplasts, which readily recovered wild-type morphology and growth upon removal of antibiotic. Our results suggest that carbapenem tolerance is prevalent in clinically significant bacterial species, and we suggest that this could contribute to treatment failure associated with these organisms.
ANALYZING STUDENTS’ INTERPRETATIONS OF THE DEFINITE INTEGRAL AS CONCEPT PROJECTIONS

This study of beginning and upper-level undergraduate physics students extends earlier research on students’ interpretations of the definite integral. Using Wagner’s (2006) transfer-in-pieces framework and the notion of a concept projection, fine-grained analyses of students’ understandings of the definite integral reveal a greater variety and sophistication in some students’ use of integration than previous researchers have reported. The dual purpose of this work is to demonstrate and develop the utility of concept projections as a means of investigating knowledge transfer, and to critique and build on the existing literature on students’ conceptions of integration.
Special Collection: Tools of the Behavior and Biocontrol Trade It’s Gut Check Time! A Universal Food Immunomarking Technique for Studying Arthropod Feeding Activities

The analysis of arthropod feeding activity is often determined by using species-specific postmortem gut content polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Such mono-specific assays require time, resources, and technical expertise to develop for the food item (usually a pest insect species) that is the target of the investigation. A generic predator gut analysis method was described over a quarter of a century ago that does not require the development of a species-specific gut assay. This generic method remained in relative obscurity until about a decade ago. Recently, it has been used to study a wide range of arthropod feeding activities, such as carnivory, herbivory, scavenging, and other feeding interactions. For this review, I have coined this method as the universal food immunomarking technique (UFIT). The UFIT consists of tagging food items (i.e., prey, foliage, carrion, etc.) with a specific protein. In turn, the gut contents of foraging arthropods are examined for the presence of protein-marked food items by a standardized protein-specific sandwich ELISA. In this article, I give examples of the benefits of the UFIT gut assay approach over prey-specific gut assay approaches and tips on conducting a successful UFIT experiment, and provide examples of how it has been adapted to study a wide variety of arthropod feeding behaviors. My goal is to make researchers aware of another valuable tool in the gut analysis toolbox.
Formulation , in vitro and in vivo evaluation of oral sustained release insulin-loaded microspheres based on Eudragit ® RS 100

The objective of the study is to formulate oral sustained release insulin-loaded microspheres and to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo properties. Microspheres were formulated by double emulsion solvent evaporation method using Eudragit® RS 100 as the polymer. The microspheres were characterized based on differential scanning calorimetry, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, the yield, particle size, micromeritic properties, encapsulation efficiency (EE%), bio-adhesion, in vitro drug release and in vivo hypoglycemic properties. Insulin-loaded microspheres showed endothermic peaks of 60.9 to 63 °C, maximum EE of 98.89 % and highest percentage bio-adhesion of 95 % and good flowability. Microspheres had good sustained release of insulin with 73.46 at 8 h. Insulin-loaded microspheres had significant blood glucose reduction comparable to the parenteral insulin between 6 to 8 h (P< 0.05). In conclusion, insulin-loaded microspheres had good in vivo and sustained release properties and could be used orally for the management of diabetes mellitus.
Knowledge Graph Embedding using Graph Convolutional Networks with Relation-Aware Attention

Knowledge graph embedding methods learn embeddings of entities and relations in a low dimensional space which can be used for various downstream machine learning tasks such as link prediction and entity matching. Various graph convolutional network methods have been proposed which use different types of information to learn the features of entities and relations. However, these methods assign the same weight (importance) to the neighbors when aggregating the information, ignoring the role of different relations with the neighboring entities. To this end, we propose a relation-aware graph attention model that leverages relation information to compute different weights to the neighboring nodes for learning embeddings of entities and relations. We evaluate our proposed approach on link prediction and entity matching tasks. Our experimental results on link prediction on three datasets (one proprietary and two public) and results on unsupervised entity matching on one proprietary dataset demonstrate the effectiveness of the relation-aware attention.
Age representation in parliaments: Can institutions pave the way for the young?

Middle-aged to senior men of the ethnic majority and higher income groups are generally overrepresented in parliaments. While research on group representation has examined issues of gender, economic standing, and, more recently, ethnicity, few studies examine age groups. We argue that the design of political institutions influences the share of young adults in parliaments across nations and hypothesize that the electoral system type, age candidacy requirements, and quotas influence the share of younger deputies in national parliaments. Analyzing an original data set with a global cross-national sample, we find that proportional representation and giving candidates the right to stand in elections as early as possible (i.e. at the age of 18) matter. In contrast, quota provisions for youths are currently too selectively applied to increase the percentage of young deputies in parliament.
The accrual anomaly and the working capital-investment dynamics Viet

Given the evidence from the literature about the link between th accrual anomaly and information about firms’ investment, we investigate whether the accrual anomaly exhibits any cyclical behaviour and how the dynamics between the fixed capital investment and worki ng capital investment affects such cyclicality. We find the evidence that financial inflexib ility reinforces the impact of investment inflexibility on firms, which leads to the cyclicality of the a ccrual profit. Financial flexibility, however, does not have a significant impact on the accrual profit among firms with high in investment flexibility. Together with the evidence that all the behaviours ob erved in the pooled sample are concentrated in the manufacturing industries in which the nature of inv estment and financing activities are most relevant, the evidence suggests that the accrual a nomaly is related to the fundamental information at firm level and influenced by the business cycle. Finally, we find that a macroeconomic model is capable of capturing the accrual anomaly at firm lev el after controlling for other well documented anomalies.
Influence of urea-fortified corncob diets on growth performance and carcass characteristics in West African dwarf goats

The experiment was carried out to determine the effect of urea-fortified concentrate corncob diets on growth performance and carcass characteristics of West African dwarf (WAD) goats. Fifteen WAD goats with an average weight of 9.33 kg were studied. The animals were weighted and randomly assigned to five (5) treatments in a completely randomized design (CRD). The treatments were of different levels i.e. 0%, 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% of urea in corncob-based concentrate diets. Results showed variation (P<0.05) in the live weight among all the treatments while no effect was observed in average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio, carcass and non-carcass characteristics among the treatment groups. However, the physicochemical properties of the meat showed that meat water holding capacity, moisture, dry matter, crude fibre and ash were not influenced by urea but there was a significant (P<0.05) difference in meat pH and meat crude protein among the treated groups. In conclusion, for better performance in the live weight gain of WAD goats, 3% best level inclusion of urea fortified corncob diet should be taken into cognizance. Keywords: Carcass characteristics; Corncob; Urea; West African Dwarf Goats; Nigeria.
Tax Avoidance , Corporate Governance , Leverage , and Earnings Quality

This study aims to examine the effect of tax avoidance, corporate governance, and leverage on earnings quality leverage. The research method used in this study is descriptive and verification. The population target in this study is banking companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) with observations in 2012-2017. We used 89 sample year sobserved. Data to be used in research is secondary data in the form of data from annual reports and company financial statements. Validity and reliability testing is done before testing the hypothesis. This study uses the SPSS Version 25 analysis technique. The conclusion of tis research shows that tax avoidance, institutional ownership, independent commissioners, independent auditor, and leverage affect the quality of earnings by 31.1%. Almost 69.9% is explained by other variables outside the model.
Genotypic and breeding potential to improve mineral content of vegetable crops: an overview

ABSTRACT Vegetables are one of the best sources of minerals, particularly for vegetarians and low-resource people. With an increasing level of malnutrition in the human population, it is necessary to improve mineral concentrations in high-yielding cultivars across vegetable species. This review attempts to describe the understanding of genotypic and breeding potential, and to explore the possibility of minimizing biological trade-off between mineral concentration and yield using genetic resources and breeding approaches. There are, by and large, inverse associations between yield and mineral concentration; and the magnitude of decline is severe with heterosis breeding. Few genotypes possess exceptionally high mineral concentration, with the ability to inherit those levels. It is important that crop and mineral-specific breeding strategies are followed, especially recurrent selection and poly-crossing, based on genetic architecture. Using novel germplasm, unique parental combinations, appropriate breeding and evaluation of large populations would make it possible to improve mineral concentration of modern cultivars without impairing yield.