ACE2 coding variants in different populations and their potential impact on SARS-CoV-2 binding affinity

The susceptibility of different populations to SARS-CoV-2 infection is not yet understood. Here, we combined ACE2 coding variants' analysis in different populations and computational chemistry calculations to probe the effects on SARS-CoV-2/ACE2 interaction. ACE2-K26R; which is most frequent in Ashkenazi Jewish population decreased the SARS-CoV-2/ACE2 electrostatic attraction. On the contrary, ACE2-I468V, R219C, K341R, D206G, G211R increased the electrostatic attraction; ordered by binding strength from weakest to strongest. The aforementioned variants are most frequent in East Asian, South Asian, African and African American, European, European and South Asian populations, respectively

1H-Imidazol-3-ium-4-carboxyl­ate

In the title compound, C4H4N2O2, both imidazole N atoms are protonated and carboxyl­ate group is deprotonated, resulting in a zwitterion. The mol­ecule is essentially planar, with an r.m.s. deviation of 0.012 (1) Å. In the crystal, N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking inter­actions [centroid–centroid distance = 3.674 (2) Å] between the imidazole rings link the mol­ecules into a three-dimensional supra­molecular network

Gold aggregating gold: A novel nanoparticle biosensor approach for the direct quantification of hepatitis C virus RNA in clinical samples

The affordable and reliable detection of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA is a cornerstone in the management and control of infection, affecting approximately 3% of the global population. However, the existing technologies are expensive, labor intensive and time consuming, posing significant limitations to their wide-scale exploitation, particularly in economically deprived populations. Here, we utilized the unique optical and physicochemical properties of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to develop a novel assay platform shown to be rapid and robust in sensing and quantifying unamplified HCV RNA in clinical samples. The assay is based on inducing aggregation of citrate AuNPs decorated with a specific nucleic acid probe. Two types of cationic AuNPs, cysteamine and CTAB capped, were compared to achieve maximum assay performance. The technology is simple, rapid, cost effective and quantitative with 93.3% sensitivity, high specificity and detection limit of 4.57 IU/µl. Finally, our data suggest that RNA folding impact the aggregation behavior of the functionalized AuNPs, with broader applications in other nucleic acid detection technologies

Accounting Conservatism and Ownership Structure Effect: Evidence from Industrial and Financial Jordanian Listed Companies

This study aims to examine the impact of ownership structure on the level of accounting conservatism in Jordan by using a sample of 99 manufacturing and financial companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange between 2005 and 2013. On one hand, ownership structure was measured by: foreign; governmental; institutional; and concentration of ownership. On the other hand, accounting conservatism was measured by accrual-based measures. This study used the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) method was as the multiple regression analysis. It was found that three of the independent variables were significant and one was not. The study's findings show that there is an inverse effect of governmental ownership on accounting conservatism. In contrast, the study indicates a significant and positive relationship between foreign and institutional ownership with accounting conservatism but the concentration of ownership doesn't affect conservatism.  Based on these results, this paper provides some insights for the extant literature in this field and, for interested parties, conveys some conservatism policy implications. Additionally, this study will open doors for researchers to look at accounting conservatism in detail. Keywords: accounting conservatism; ownership structure; Amman Stock Exchange JEL Classifications: G31, M4

Consumer Demand and Willingness to Purchase Asian Fruits and Vegetables in Selected Korean Communities in Alabama and Georgia

This research analyzed the demand for fresh Asian fruits and vegetables by Korean immigrants in central and east Alabama and west Georgia. The growth of the Korean population in these two areas is due to the opening of two automobile manufacturing plants: Kia in West Point, Georgia in 2009 and Hyundai in Montgomery, Alabama in 2005.The study’s objectives were to: 1) establish what demand exists for fresh Asian fruits and vegetables among Korean immigrants in central and east Alabama and west Georgia; and 2) examine the opportunity for a niche market in ethnic vegetables for small and medium-sized farmers. This was accomplished by collecting socio-economic data on Korean residents in central and east Alabama and west Georgia; estimating consumer buying patterns of Asian fruits and vegetables; and developing a list of Asian fruits and vegetables for potential local farm production as a niche market.A survey instrument was developed and used to collect data on consumer preferences, socio-economic factors, willingness to pay, and buying patterns. The instrument was translated into Korean to be more attractive to the respondents, and images of selected fruits and vegetables were attached. The survey was administered at Korean churches in Lee and Montgomery counties in Alabama, and Muscogee and Troup counties in Georgia. The results demonstrated that 81% of respondents were willing to buy Asian/Korean fruits and vegetables grown locally, and that 82% of the participants were willing to pay (5 or > 20%) more for the produce   grown by local farmers. A list of preferred fruits and vegetables by the customers was also established. Keywords: Asian fruits and vegetables, Korean community, locally grown produce. DOI: 10.7176/JESD/10-22-13 Publication date: November 30th 201

Diaqua­bis­(1H-imidazole-4-carboxyl­ato-κ2 N 3,O)zinc

In the title compound, [Zn(C4H3N2O2)2(H2O)2], the ZnII ion is situated on a twofold rotation axis and exhibits a distorted octa­hedral coordination configuration. The equatorial plane contains two cis-oriented bidentate 1H-imidazole-4-carboxyl­ate ligands and the axial positions are occupied by two coordinated water mol­ecules. In the crystal structure, inter­molecular O—H⋯O and N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules into a three-dimensional supra­molecular network. There are π–π inter­actions between the imidazole rings, with a centroid-to-centroid distance of 3.504 (3) Å

Liquid-Phase Quasi-Epitaxial Growth of Highly Stable, Monolithic UiO-66-NH₂ MOF thin Films on Solid Substrates

High quality, monolithic UiO‐66‐NH2 thin films on diverse solid substrates have been prepared via a low temperature liquid phase epitaxy method. The achievement of continuous films with low defect densities and great stability against high temperatures and hot water is proven, clearly outperforming other reported types of MOF thin films

Stability of monolithic mof thin films in acidic and alkaline aqueous media

In the context of thin film nanotechnologies, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are currently intensively explored in the context of both, novel applications and as alternatives to existing materials. When it comes to applications under relatively harsh conditions, in several cases it has been noticed that the stability of MOF thin films deviates from the corresponding standard, powdery form of MOFs. Here, we subjected SURMOFs, surface-anchored MOF thin films, fabricated using layer-by layer methods, to a thorough characterization after exposure to different harsh aqueous environments. The stability of three prototypal SURMOFs, HKUST-1, ZIF-8, and UiO-66-NH2 was systematically investigated in acidic, neutral, and basic environments using X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. While HKUST-1 films were rather unstable in aqueous media, ZIF-8 SURMOFs were preserved in alkaline environments when exposed for short periods of time, but in apparent contrast to results reported in the literature for the corresponding bulk powders- not stable in neutral and acidic environments. UiO-66-NH$_{2}$ SURMOFs were found to be stable over a large window of pH values