Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of vector migration on the effectiveness of strategies to control gambiense human African trypanosomiasis

Background Several modeling studies have been undertaken to assess the feasibility of the WHO goal of eliminating gambiense human African trypanosomiasis (g-HAT) by 2030. However, these studies have generally overlooked the effect of vector migration on disease transmission and control. Here, we evaluated the impact of vector migration on the feasibility of interrupting transmission in different g-HAT foci. Methods We developed a g-HAT transmission model of a single tsetse population cluster that accounts for migration of tsetse fly into this population. We used a model calibration approach to constrain g-HAT incidence to ranges expected for high, moderate and low transmission settings, respectively. We used the model to evaluate the effectiveness of current intervention measures, including medical intervention through enhanced screening and treatment, and vector control, for interrupting g-HAT transmission in disease foci under each transmission setting. Results We showed that, in low transmission settings, under enhanced medical intervention alone, at least 70% treatment coverage is needed to interrupt g-HAT transmission within 10 years. In moderate transmission settings, a combination of medical intervention and a vector control measure with a daily tsetse mortality greater than 0.03 is required to achieve interruption of disease transmission within 10 years. In high transmission settings, interruption of disease transmission within 10 years requires a combination of at least 70% medical intervention coverage and at least 0.05 tsetse daily mortality rate from vector control. However, the probability of achieving elimination in high transmission settings decreases with an increased tsetse migration rate. Conclusion Our results suggest that the WHO 2030 goal of G-HAT elimination is, at least in theory, achievable. But the presence of tsetse migration may reduce the probability of interrupting g-HAT transmission in moderate and high transmission foci. Therefore, optimal vector control programs should incorporate monitoring and controlling of vector density in buffer areas around foci of g-HAT control efforts.
Proximal Medial Gastrocnemius Release Versus Open Plantar Fasciotomy for the Surgical Treatment in Recalcitrant Plantar Fasciitis

Background: Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of foot pain. If conservative treatment fails, there is no consensus as to the best surgical management for recalcitrant plantar fasciitis (RPF). The aim of this study was to compare the results obtained from proximal medial gastrocnemius release (PMGR) with those obtained from open plantar fasciotomy (OPF) in terms of pain, satisfaction, health-related quality of life, and American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score. Methods: This is a prospective randomized trial conducted between 2012 and 2016. Patients with RPF for at least 9 months were included. Diagnosis was clinically made. The exclusion criteria were neuropathic heel pain; a history of previous foot fracture, surgery, or deformity; rheumatoid arthritis; or the need for long-term analgesic administration. After ruling out other conditions with magnetic resonance or ultrasound imaging, patients were randomized to be operated on with OPF or PMGR independently of the Silfverskjold test. Follow-up was carried out for up to 1 year. The AOFAS, visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, SF-36, and Likert scale for satisfaction were used to evaluate the results obtained. The analysis was done with 21 patients in the OPF group and 15 in the PMGR group. The demographic data (age, sex, body mass index, duration of symptoms, and positivity to the Silfverskjold test) of the groups were comparable. Results: No differences were found in terms of the AOFAS (P = .24), VAS (P = .14), or any item of the SF-36. Satisfaction was very good in 85.8% of the PMGR group and 89.5% of the OPF group (P = .27). Faster recovery was observed in the PMGR group. Conclusion: OPF and PMGR provided good results for patients with RPF. Neither was superior to the other relative to pain, AOFAS score, satisfaction, or the SF-36. We recommend PMGR as the first option in RPF surgical management in order to avoid potential biomechanical complications related to OPF. Level of Evidence: Level I, therapeutic randomized controlled trial.
Ecological divergence and speciation in common bottlenose dolphins in the western South Atlantic

Coastal and offshore ecotypes of common bottlenose dolphins have been recognized in the western South Atlantic, and it is possible that trophic niche divergence associated with social interactions is leading them to genetic and phenotypic differentiation. The significant morphological differentiation observed between these ecotypes suggests they represent two different subspecies. However, there is still a need to investigate whether there is congruence between morphological and genetic data to rule out the possibility of ecophenotypic variation accompanied by gene flow. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequence data and 10 microsatellite loci collected from stranded and biopsied dolphins sampled in coastal and offshore waters of Brazil as well as 106 skulls for morphological analyses were used to determine whether the morphological differentiation was supported by genetic differentiation. There was congruence among the data sets, reinforcing the presence of two distinct ecotypes. The divergence may be relatively recent, however, given the moderate values of mtDNA nucleotide divergence (dA = 0.008), presence of one shared mtDNA haplotype and possibly low levels of gene flow (around 1% of migrants per generation). Results suggest the ecotypes may be in the process of speciation and reinforce they are best described as two different subspecies until the degree of nuclear genetic divergence is thoroughly evaluated: Tursiops truncatus gephyreus (coastal ecotype) and T. t. truncatus (offshore ecotype). The endemic distribution of T. t. gephyreus in the western South Atlantic and number of anthropogenic threats in the area reinforces the importance of protecting this ecotype and its habitat.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Ebosin-Producing Strain Streptomyces sp. 139

Members of the genus Streptomyces are known for their ability to produce compounds with various bioactivities and for their complex morphologies. Streptomyces sp. strain 139 is the producer strain of the exopolysaccharide (EPS) ebosin, which has remarkable in vivo antirheumatic arthritis activity. Here, we report its complete genome sequence, which will facilitate the study of the biosynthesis of ebosin. ABSTRACT Members of the genus Streptomyces are known for their ability to produce compounds with various bioactivities and for their complex morphologies. Streptomyces sp. strain 139 is the producer strain of the exopolysaccharide (EPS) ebosin, which has remarkable in vivo antirheumatic arthritis activity. Here, we report its complete genome sequence, which will facilitate the study of the biosynthesis of ebosin.
Effects of Hand Appearance and Behaviour on the Rubber Hand Illusion in Virtual Reality

The rubber hand illusion is a classic psychological experiment in which the body’s self-awareness of a hand can be transferred to an inanimate object. After a period where an association between the real hand and a fake hand is built, the extent to which a participant believes that the fake hand is part of their body is measured through a stress response to a threat. This illusion has successfully been induced with virtual reality (VR) through the use of headmounted displays (HMDs), which cover the user’s field of view entirely, and the use of virtual hands. Using motion tracked controllers, similar feelings of hand ownership to that of the rubber hand illusion can be induced. In an attempt to analyse the role of hand appearance and behaviour on this effect, the following experiment had participants complete a series of tasks with one of three virtual hands: a static realistic hand, an arrow, or a realistic hand which is hidden when objects are grasped, substituting the hand with a stand-in object. This is motivated by a similar mechanic in the game Job Simulator. After the virtual hand was “threatened”, feelings of hand presence and the degree to which the rubber hand illusion was induced were measured through skin conductance measures and by questionnaire. While unexpected confounding variables impacted the significant of results, these variables served to inform and highlight the role of hand behaviour within VR. Visual discrepancies in how a virtual hand interacts with an environment were found to negatively impact feelings of immersion and hand presence, and should be carefully considered when designing VR experiences.
Community structure of zooplankton across environmental variables in a high-altitude lake of central Himalayas, India

ABSTRACT We determined seasonal and spatial variation of zooplankton and their correlation with environment variables in a subtropical lake of the Himalayas. Thirty-eight species of zooplankton were identified, of which, 38.0% belonged to rotifera, 26.3% to cladocera, and 15.7% to copepoda. Nitrogen nutrients, total organic matter (TOM), and clay particles significantly influenced on the distribution pattern of zooplankton. Non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis showed homogeneous assemblages of dominant zooplankton species except Chydorus gibbus which has wider range of niche partitioning. Turbidity formed by suspended materials facilitated better avoidance of larger zooplankton like Daphnia similis from predators. Sedimentary silt particles influenced on the assemblages of sensitive species such as Tropocyclops prasinus, Asplanchna priodonta and Colurella obtuse. Changes within the land-use pattern in the catchment of the central Himalayan lakes either directly or indirectly impact on the distribution of zooplankton community.
Racial Colorblindness and Confidence in and Likelihood of Action to Address Prejudice.

In this study, we examined the association between racial colorblindness and inaction to address prejudice. Conceptualized as a type of legitimizing ideology that maintains societal inequality, we hypothesized that colorblindness would be associated with less confidence in and lower likelihood of engaging in action to address prejudice. Our study examined the role of affective variables in explaining the link between colorblindness and inaction, as well as explored potential racial group differences. We used multigroup structural equation modeling analysis to test for measurement and structural invariance of our hypothesized model across White, Asian American, and Underrepresented racial minority (i.e., African American, Latinx American, Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Native American, and Multiracial students from Underrepresented groups) college students. In Study 1 (n = 1125), we found that greater colorblindness was indirectly associated with less confidence in action through affective variables (e.g., intergroup empathy, and positive and negative emotions during intergroup interactions). In Study 2 (n = 1356), we found that greater colorblindness was indirectly related to less likelihood of action through intergroup empathy. In both studies, we demonstrated measurement and structural invariance across racial groups, indicating that our hypothesized model functioned similarly across White, Underrepresented, and Asian American students. Our findings have implications for future research and practice to challenge colorblindness and to promote engagement in actions to reduce prejudice.
Apoptosis Regulation Differs Between Ulcerative Colitis–Associated and Sporadic Colonic Tumors

To clarify kinetics in ulcerative colitis (UC)-associated lesions, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and expression of apoptosis-inhibitory proteins were studied. Ki-67 labeling and survivin and bcl-2 expression were examined immunohistochemically in 22 low-grade dysplasias (LGDs), 25 high-grade dysplasias (HGDs), and 13 adenocarcinomas associated with UC, and for comparison in 21 sporadic adenomas with LGD, 22 sporadic adenomas with HGD, and 21 invasive adenocarcinomas. Apoptosis was studied with nick-end labeling and immunohistochemical analysis of single-stranded DNA. In UC-associated LGDs, Ki-67–positive cells were more frequent in the lower than the upper half of the crypt, related to bcl-2 expression, while in sporadic adenomas such cells were more common in the upper half. No difference in apoptosis was found between UC-associated LGDs and sporadic adenomas with LGD or between UC-associated HGDs and sporadic adenomas with HGD. However, UC-associated carcinomas exhibited a lower apoptotic count than their sporadic invasive counterparts. This seemed related to higher survivin expression without a significant difference between the 2 types of invasive lesions regarding bcl-2 levels. Apoptosis is less frequent in UC-associated than in sporadic invasive colon carcinomas, this being linked to elevated survivin expression. The control of apoptosis may be different in the 2 types of tumorigenesis.
Intensity Detection Noise in Pulsed Vapor-Cell Frequency Standards

Laser intensity noise is currently recognized as one of the main factors limiting the short-term stability of vapor-cell clocks. In this article, we propose a signal theory approach to estimate the contribution of the laser intensity fluctuations to the short-term stability of vapor-cell clocks working in a pulsed regime. Specifically, given the laser intensity noise spectrum, an analytical expression is derived to evaluate its impact on the clock Allan deviation (ADEV). The theory has been tested for two intensity noise spectra of interest in clock applications: white frequency noise and flicker noise. The predicted results turn out to be in good agreement with experiments performed with a prototype of pulsed optically pumped Rb-cell clock, and can be extended to other compact clocks.
Evaluating and improving biased locking in the HotSpot virtual machine

Biased locking is an optimization to enable very fast synchronization in the Java virtual machine. It is based on the observation that many times objects are not shared between threads, and could therefore avoid the slower and otherwise necessary atomic instructions for synchronization. In this thesis, the biased locking algorithm and some of its variations are investigated. The biased locking implementation in the HotSpot virtual machine is evaluated and analysed. Standard and common benchmark suites, as well as microbenchmarks are used to evaluate the implementation. Although occasionally negative, the results suggest overall positive effects from biased locking, both on new and old hardware. A prototype of an improvement to the algorithm is implemented in HotSpot. The prototype is evaluated and analysed using microbenchmarks. Results indicate performance improvement in certain scenarios using the prototype, suggesting that the improvement might be useful.
Breakthroughs in the fabrication of electrospun-nanofiber-supported thin film composite/nanocomposite membranes for the forward osmosis process: A review

Abstract Research on membrane technology to provide fresh water while considering inextricably linked energy issues has resulted in remarkable accomplishments in the production of membranes, such as thin film composite (TFC) membranes, for relatively low-energy desalination and wastewater reclamation via the forward osmosis (FO) process. Exhaustive and continuous efforts in the enlargement of TFC membranes to achieve an excellent combination of flux and selectivity have revealed a considerable need to fabricate an appropriate substrate. Electrospinning, as a cheap, scalable, and simple technique, is capable of producing electrospun mats with distinctive features. These features make electrospun nanofibers (ENs) a promising substrate for TFC-FO membranes, resulting in tremendous achievements in enhancing membrane performance. Since 2011, rapid progress has been made in applying electrospinning to fabricate ENs substrates for TFC-FO membranes. This paper reviews progress in the fabrication and modification of TFC membranes supported by ENs substrates for FO applications. The theoretical background of FO, discussing the main problems associated with the use of conventional substrates, progress in applying electrospinning to overcome these problems, including breakthrough achievements in ENs substrates for FO, the synthesis and characterization of such substrates, and a comparison of energy consumption between FO and other desalination techniques were covered.
Mucous cell distribution and mucus production during early growth periods of the giant African snail (Achatina fulica)

The giant African snail (Achatina fulica) secretes mucus for crawling and protection from moisture loss and pathogenic infections. The snail mucus has been popularly used as a bioactive reagent in medical and cosmeceutical products. This study observed the distribution of pedal mucous cells of A. fulica and the snail growth effect (1–3 mth) on pedal mucus production and the types of mucous cells. Foot tissues were processed using a paraffin technique and stained with Masson’s trichrome, periodic acid Schiff, and periodic acid Schiff-Alcian Blue at pH 2.5. Visualization under a light microscope showed that the pedal mucus of A. fulica was mainly produced from two types of mucous glands: 1) tubular mucous gland cells located on the dorsal part of foot that produced acid mucopolysaccharide mucus; and 2) round mucous gland cells located on the ventral part of foot that produced acid and neutral mucopolysaccharide mucus. A positive correlation between the acid mucin level and snail age was only observed on the dorsal area. The level of neutral mucin from both sides was highest after 2 mth. The average length of the mucous cells on the dorsal surface significantly increased during growth. This study revealed the change and distribution of the mucous cells in early A. fulica development to inform further applications in snail bioactive compounds.
Stability indicating method development and validation for the determination of haloperidol and benzhexol by RP-HPLC

A simple, Accurate, precise method was developed for the simultaneous estimation of the Haloperidol and Benzhexol in Tablet dosage form. The chromatogram was run through Kromasil (250mm 4.6mm, 5µ). Mobile phase containing Buffer and Acetonitrile and methanol in the ratio of 48:52 was pumped through column at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. The temperature was maintained at 30°C. The optimized wavelength for Haloperidol and Benzhexol was 220nm. The retention time of Haloperidol and Benzhexol were found to be 2.415 min and 2.820min. %RSD of the Haloperidol and Benzhexol were and found to be 0.6 and 0.2 respectively. %Recover was Obtained as 98.92% and 99.60% for Haloperidol and Benzhexol. LOD, LOQ values were obtained from regression equations of Haloperidol and Benzhexol were 0.42ppm, 1.27ppm and 0.04ppm, 0.14ppm respectively. Regression equation of Haloperidol is y = 24009x + 38704, and of Benzhexol is y = 40558x + 2880. Retention times are decreased and that run time was decreased so the method developed was simple and economical that can be adopted in regular Quality control test in Industries
Crystal structure of 3-iodophthalic acid, C8H5IO4

Abstract C8H5IO4, triclinic, P1̄ (no. 2), a = 4.5570(3) Å, b = 7.7720(5) Å, c = 12.7660(8) Å, α = 99.906(3)°, β = 97.718(3)°, γ = 105.651(3)°, V = 421.02(5) Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0191, wRref(F2) = 0.0433, T = 150(2) K.
Molecular Mechanisms of Selected Disease-Linked Proteins Studied Through Atomistic Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Membrane proteins are complexes formed of long chains of amino acids capable of carrying out various functions in cellular life. Correct folding of the protein structure is relevant for its function, the folding patterns arising from the amino acid sequence. Membrane proteins are also primary targets for many diseases, their function being inhibited by factors such as mutations in the gene encoding the protein sequence. As a result, certain amino acids in the sequence may be point mutated, often with unpleasant consequences to the protein function. Due to the small scale of membrane proteins and their primary interaction partners, lipids and ions, observing the molecular mechanisms and dynamics of protein function can be impossible by traditional experimental measurements. Here, we are able to bypass the visual limit by employing atomistic molecular dynamics simulations in order to study the properties of these membrane proteins. Understanding the dynamics of proteins at the atomistic level can be beneficial for pharmaceutical development as drugs targeting membrane proteins are cures for many diseases. Our goal in this Thesis is to explore two different types of membrane proteins, to study the dynamics and molecular mechanisms of their native states at an atomistic level, and to employ various computational methods to establish potential links between their function and related diseases. The first part of this Thesis focuses on P2, a major protein of the myelin sheath of the peripheral nervous system, active in stacking myelin leaflets together. Certain mutations in the gene encoding P2 have been connected with an inherited demyelinating disease, while other mutations have been found to affect P2 activity in other ways. We performed sets of simulations on the P2 wild type and a number of its point mutated variants in order to gain insight on its structural dynamics at an atomistic level, and found the point mutants to alter its properties. The results also provide clues on how the changed activity is related to the demyelinating diseases. We also discovered a mechanism for the opening of the P2 barrel structure, suggest-
Effect of Angiotensin Receptor Blokers (ARBs) and Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs) In Rat Cerebral Ischemia Reperfusion I/R Injury.

This study was undertaken to investigate the possible neuroprotective activity of candesartan, amlodipine and their combination in amelioration of global cerebral I/R injury in rat model. Adult Sprague dawley rats were randomized in to 6 groups as follow: group I, sham group, rats underwent the same anesthesia and surgical procedure as the control group with out bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) ; group 2 control group (induced-untreated), rats underwent 30 min of global cerebral ischemia via ( bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) followed by 1 hour of reperfusion ; group 3, Control – Vehicle, as control group but rats received daily for 10 days before the surgery the vehicle of amlodipine and candesartan drugs normal saline intraperitoneally (IP),the dose of vehicle was (0.9% Nacl) ,(1 ml/kg/day) ; group 4, amlodipine treated group, as control group, but rats received daily amlodipine intraperitoneally (IP), the dose of amlodipine was (10 mg/kg /day) for 10 days before the surgery ; and group5, candesartan treated group, as control goup ,but rats received daily candesartan intraperitoneally (IP), the dose of candesartan was (0.2 mg/kg /day) for 10 days before the surgery ; group 6, combination candesartan and amlodipine treated group, as control group, but rats received daily intraperitoneally (IP) combination of candesartan (0.2 mg/kg /day) and amlodipine (10 mg/kg /day) for 10 days before the surgery. Compared with the sham group, levels of cerebral IL-9, IL-6, MCP-1 and ICAM-1, increased significantly (p<0.05), both candesartan, amlodipine, and their combination significantly oppose the increase in cerebral level of IL-9, IL-6, MCP-1 and ICAM-1 (P < 0.05). Histological analysis revealed that each of candesartan, amlodipine, and their combination markedly reduced (P < 0.05) the severity of brain injury in the rats underwent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO), and infarct size significantly reduction (P < 0.05). The results of the present study reveal that pretreatment with candesartan amlodipine, and their combination may ameliorate the global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by anti-inflammatory effect and the combination of candesartan and amlodipine