80 research outputs found
CD16a with oligomannose-type N-glycans is the only “low-affinity” Fc γ receptor that binds the IgG crystallizable fragment with high affinity in vitro
No full textFc γ receptors (FcγRs) bind circulating IgG (IgG1) at the surface of leukocytes. Antibodies clustered at the surface of a targeted particle trigger a protective immune response through activating FcγRs. Three recent reports indicate that the composition of the asparagine-linked carbohydrate chains (N-glycans) of FcγRIIIa/CD16a impacted IgG1-binding affinity. Here we determined how N-glycan composition affected the affinity of the “low-affinity” FcγRs for six homogeneous IgG1 Fc N-glycoforms (G0, G0F, G2, G2F, A2G2, and A2G2F). Surprisingly, CD16a with oligomannose N-glycans bound to IgG1 Fc (A2G2) with a KD = 1.0 ± 0.1 nM. This affinity represents a 51-fold increase over the affinity measured for CD16a with complex-type N-glycans (51 ± 8 nM) and is comparable with the affinity of FcγRI/CD64, the sole “high-affinity” FcγR. CD16a N-glycan composition accounted for increases in binding affinity for the other IgG1 Fc glycoforms tested (10–50-fold). This remarkable sensitivity could only be eliminated by preventing glycosylation at Asn162 with an Asn-to-Gln mutation; mutations at the four other N-glycosylation sites preserved tighter binding in the Man5 glycoform. None of the other low-affinity FcγRs showed more than a 3.1-fold increase upon modifying the receptor N-glycan composition, including CD16b, which differs from CD16a by only four amino acid residues. This result indicates that CD16a is unique among the low-affinity FcγRs, and modifying only the glycan composition of both the IgG1 Fc ligand and receptor provides a 400-fold range in affinities.This research was originally published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. Subedi, Ganesh P., and Adam W. Barb. "CD16a with oligomannose-type N-glycans is the only “low-affinity” Fc γ receptor that binds the IgG crystallizable fragment with high affinity in vitro." Journal of Biological Chemistry 293, no. 43 (2018): 16842-16850. © the Author(s). doi: 10.1074/jbc.RA118.004998.</p
Enabling Environment for Early Childhood Development: A Narrative Study of Preschools in Nepal
No full textAt present, creating environment for Early Childhood Development (ECD) has been given a great emphasis in Nepal’s educational context. However, a number of challenges are often narrated by the school leaders and teachers in creating environment to facilitate development of the children. Hence, this paper aims at exploring what experiences the preschools have assembled in course of creating environment for ECD. The paper is based on narrative inquiry where a teacher and two school leaders from three different institutional preschools of Kathmandu Valley were selected purposively as research participants for in-depth interview. Then, this study explored that school leaders and teacher were having a tough time for creating environment expected to support ECD though they narrated their awareness about the discourse. These challenges were narrated to have been occurred basically because of infrastructural constraints and divergent attitude of parents regarding how their children had to be learning at school. Moreover, lack of competent human resource to induce atmosphere for development of children was also recounted. Hence, the study implies collaborative environment between school leaders, teachers and parents to be created by school leaders to encourage teachers to adopt instructional strategies for strengthening atmosphere of ECD
Photochemical Efficiency and SPAD Value as Indirect Selection Criteria for Combined Selection of Spot Blotch and Terminal Heat Stress in Wheat
No full textTerminal heat and spot blotch caused by Cochliobolus sativus are important stresses causing significant wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield losses in the south Asian plains. Recent studies have shown that chlorophyll-related traits are correlated with heat stress and spot blotch resistance in wheat. This study was conducted to evaluate leaf photochemical efficiency and leaf greenness (measured as SPAD value) for combined selection of spot blotch and terminal heat stress. The efficiency of photosystem II was measured as ratio of variable to maximal chlorophyll fluorescence, F-v/F-m, using chlorophyll fluorometer build on pulse modulation principle. The study was conducted in three spring wheat populations derived by crossing spot blotch-resistant wheat genotypes 'Milan/Shanghai#7', 'Chirya.3' and 'NL971' with a susceptible cultivar 'BL 1473'. The F-3 and F-4 generations were grown under natural epiphytotics of spot blotch either in optimal or in terminal heat stress conditions at Rampur, Nepal. The heritability (h(2)) of F-v/F-m, SPAD measurements and their genetic correlation with 1000-kernel weight (TKW) and area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) were estimated. The h(2) estimates for F-v/F-m and SPAD measurements were moderate to high. In addition, AUDPC and TKW showed low to high genetic correlation with these traits. These findings suggest that F-v/F-m and SPAD measurements could be used as complementary traits in selecting for spot blotch resistance and heat tolerance in wheat
Ethical and responsive use of artificial intelligence in academic writing and publishing
No full textGenerative artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly evolved from novelty to a mainstream driving force in academic writing and scholarly publishing. These tools have become more conveniently accessed and utilized by scholars.1 AI is now directly used in generating text, synthesizing literature, refining grammar, and even proposing novel research directions. These capabilities offer extraordinary opportunities for enhancing productivity, broadening access, and supporting multilingual scholarship.
As academic communities use AI-driven tools, questions of integrity, transparency, and authorship demand urgent attention.3 Who is the true author when machine-generated text enters the scholarly record? How do we safeguard originality and critical thinking in an era of algorithmic assistance? And what standards should guide the responsible use of AI across diverse academic writing and publishing
Leveraging NAIP,LiDAR and Sentinel data for accurate multiclass mapping of heterogenous grassland landscapes
No full textWith the advancement in remote sensing (RS), sensors, platforms and data processing, RS data have significantly contributed to science and policy. However, data processing capability has not fully matured to handle high spatial and temporal resolution data to make management decisions. Using high-spatial-resolution (NAIP), temporal (Sentinel), and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data, I derived land use land cover (LULC) maps using machine learning and data fusion while accounting for spatial autocorrelation in the sample data. Chapter I offers a brief overview of the development and current state-of-the-art practices in accurate LULC mapping using high-spatial-resolution remote sensing data, then introduces a list of questions that were tackled in this dissertation. Finally, Chapter I presents a brief synopsis of subsequent chapters and summarize the limitations. The chapter outlines the process of data ingestion, pre-processing and machine learning to produce accurate LULC mapping. The chapter describes a methodological workflow that can be adapted to regular computing resources available in most office settings. Chapter III evaluated the efficacy and effectiveness of surface features derived from LiDAR data in improving the mapping of grass- and shrub-dominated landscapes. Chapter IV integrated the time-series Sentinel 2A data overhigh-resolution NAIP data in heterogeneous landscapes using stacking ensemble machine learning. Finally, chapter V summarizes each chapter and discusses each case study's overall significance. With data fusion and supervised machine learning, I showed a practical approach to producing accurate land use land cover maps of grass-and-shrub-dominated landscapes of Texas.Embargo status: Restricted until 09/2027. To request the author grant access, click on the PDF link to the left
China’s Approach to Human Rights and the UN Human Rights Agenda
No full textThere is an apprehension in the democratic world about the possible impact of the economic rise of China on the UN human rights agenda. Although Communist China has embraced capitalism by liberalising its economy, by joining the WTO and by recognising private entrepreneurship and the right to private property, it has not been an enthusiastic partner when it comes to promoting and protecting human rights. China has supported the idea of so-called “Asian values”, or cultural and political relativism, as well as promoting the idea of a “China Model of Democracy”, which seeks to support economic growth at the expense of civil and political rights. This article examines China’s approach to human rights both within and outside of the UN and whether China’s rise as a major economic power poses a threat or offers an opportunity to the international human rights system led by the UN. In doing so, it considers how China is changing in terms of its approach to the rule of law, democracy and human rights and why it needs to become a willing and enthusiastic player within the UN system to promote and protect human rights. The author concludes that China will not pose a threat to the UN human rights agenda. One way or the other, the only way forward for China is to embrace the rule of law, and this will in turn entail respect for human rights. Thus, there is an opportunity for the UN to introduce human rights law and jurisprudence developed by the UN treaty bodies to the Chinese legal and constitutional system
Assessment of Community Knowledge and Practices towards Rabies Prevention: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal
No full textIn many developing countries, where rabies is prevalent among dog populations, humans are at risk of contracting the disease. Recent reports from Nepal suggest that around 30,000 cases of pet and more than 100 human rabies cases occur each year, with the highest risk being in the Terai, although these numbers may be underestimated. Knowledge and practices related to rabies prevention are crucial in combating the disease. However, there is not enough data on the understanding and preventive measures of rabies among the local population in Nepal. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and practices regarding rabies prevention among the people of Bharatpur-12, Chitwan, Nepal. The study, conducted in February 2022, involved a cross-sectional survey of 271 respondents selected through systematic random sampling. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for one-on-one interviews. Among the surveyed respondents, a significant proportion (81.50%; n = 221/271) correctly understood rabies is zoonotic disease. Furthermore, 73.10% (n = 198/271) could correctly identify the animals susceptible to rabies, while 39.9% (n = 108/271) knew the causative agent. Additionally, 46.5% accurately listed the modes of transmission, and a majority (86.70%; n = 235/271) recognized the signs and symptoms of rabies in animals and humans. Overall, 42.06% (n = 114/271) of the respondents demonstrated satisfactory knowledge. Out of the 271 respondents, 22.9% (n = 62) owned pets, and 39.11% (n = 106) reported incidents of animal bites within their families, with dog bites being the most commonly mentioned (92.46%; n = 98/106). The majority (81.14%; n = 86/106) sought treatment on the same day as the incident occurred. About half of them (50%; n = 53/106) cleaned the wound with soap and water, while a small percentage (5.66%; n = 6/106) relied on traditional medicine as immediate first aid after an animal bite. The level of knowledge was found to be associated with gender (p = 0.04), educational status (p = 0.05), and family monthly income (p = 0.007). These findings highlight the importance of educating the community in Nepal about rabies control and prevention measures and underscore the need for targeted educational interventions to improve rabies awareness and the potential of effective awareness campaigns to save lives. Raising awareness about health-seeking behavior and community members’ role in controlling, preventing, and eliminating rabies is crucial
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Associated with COVID-19 Among School Students in Bharatpur, Chitwan District of Nepal
No full textBackground: The virus causing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has reached pandemic proportions. Understanding people’s perceptions of the disease will provide tools to improve strategies to limit its transmission. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) associated with the disease among high school students.
Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted among secondary level students (grade 8th and 9th) in an urban high-school at Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal to assess KAP using a pre-tested questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Epi Info 7.2.3.1.
Results: We collected 101 surveys (response rate 100%). Most of the students were found to be knowledgeable about the timeline of the first outbreak (92.08%), and nearly three-fourths of participants knew about hand-washing for 20 seconds (73.27%). Information about the presence of the disease in Nepal (50.50%), its causative agent (65.53%), and symptoms (57.43%) showed that there is a knowledge gap among participants. Most of the participants were found to have a positive attitude towards the prevention and control of the disease. The majority of the respondents reported using face mask (77.23%) and adopting hand-washing measures (79.21%) as preventive strategies. The majority of the students were highly concerned about the disease.
Conclusion: Secondary level students of Chitwan, Nepal were found to have fair knowledge and understanding of the disease, showed a moderately positive attitude towards preventive measures, and reported appropriate preventive practices against the disease. It is recommended that a similar study with a wider population be conducted to assess KAP of Nepalese people towards SARS-CoV-2
Aerosol processing technique for the synthesis of mixed-phase copper on carbon catalyst : insights into CO₂ adsorption and photocatalytic activity
No full textAbstractIn this study, spray pyrolysis; an aerosol processing technique was utilized to produce a mixed-phase copper on carbon (Cu/CuxO@C) catalyst. The catalyst production was performed via chemical reduction of copper nitrate by a reducing sugar, i.e., glucose, using aqueous solution. The physical and chemical properties of the produced particles was assessed using various characterization techniques. The synthesis temperature had pronounced effect on the final particles. Since CO₂ adsorption onto the catalyst is an important step in catalytic CO₂ reduction processes, it was studied using thermogravimetric and temperature programmed desorption techniques. Additionally, photocatalytic activity of the particles was evaluated by gas-phase oxidation of acetylene gas which revealed excellent activity under both UV and visible light irradiation indicating the possible use of wider range of the solar spectrum.Abstract
In this study, spray pyrolysis; an aerosol processing technique was utilized to produce a mixed-phase copper on carbon (Cu/CuxO@C) catalyst. The catalyst production was performed via chemical reduction of copper nitrate by a reducing sugar, i.e., glucose, using aqueous solution. The physical and chemical properties of the produced particles was assessed using various characterization techniques. The synthesis temperature had pronounced effect on the final particles. Since CO₂ adsorption onto the catalyst is an important step in catalytic CO₂ reduction processes, it was studied using thermogravimetric and temperature programmed desorption techniques. Additionally, photocatalytic activity of the particles was evaluated by gas-phase oxidation of acetylene gas which revealed excellent activity under both UV and visible light irradiation indicating the possible use of wider range of the solar spectrum
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