Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Large displacement numerical study of 3D plate anchors

Abstract This paper presents a numerical study carried out in the context of the development of a new application of plate anchors for landslide stabilisation. The plates are positioned on the slope’s ground surface and linked to a deeper stable layer with a steel grouted bar, thus acting as discontinuous elements contrasting the slope movement. This technique is less expensive compared to standard retaining structures, especially in medium and deep landslides. Moreover, plate anchors can bear large displacements of the unstable moving mass without losing efficiency. Evaluating the stabilising force and its optimisation in relation to the plate shape are of great interest. Numerous studies have investigated the bearing capacity of rectangular and circular thin plates at small strains, but the performance of alternative shapes, such as cones or truncated cones, has never been considered. The numerical study here presented applies the Material Point Method to investigate the behaviour of plate anchors with different 3D shapes at large displacements. The numerical model is validated with the results of some small-scale laboratory tests. The pull-out resistance, the soil stress and displacement fields around the plate and the group effect have been investigated, thus obtaining preliminary indications for the design of these elements.
Microenvironmental M1 tumor-associated macrophage polarization influences cancer-related anemia in advanced ovarian cancer: key role of interleukin-6

Cancer-related anemia (CRA) is part of the broader group of anemias caused by inflammation, in which macrophages and inflammatory cytokines, in particular interleukin (IL)-6 and hepcidin, play a major role. [1][1],[2][2] Typically, CRA is characterized by low levels of serum iron, but high levels of
Emotional Intelligence: A Predictor of Marital Quality in Pakistani Couples

The present study examined the role of emotional intelligence in the prediction of marital quality in Pakistani scenario. A sample of 85 couples (N = 170) was collected. Their age ranged from 21 to 40 years and the duration of marriage ranged from three to 10 years. Scale of Emotional Intelligence (Batool and Khalid, 2009a), Marital Adjustment Questionnaire (Kousar and Khalid, 2003), and Conflict Resolution Questionnaire (Kousar and Khalid, 2003; McClellan, 1993) were used. The analyses of the study variables revealed significant positive relationship between emotional intelligence and indicators of marital quality, i.e., marital adjustment and conflict resolution. Emotional intelligence explained 48% variance in marital adjustment and 56% variance in conflict resolution. Only interpersonal skill, empathy, optimism, and impulse control (dimensions of emotional intelligence) appeared as salient predictors of marital quality. Initial analyses ruled out the role of demographic variables (e.g., age, monthly income, family system, duration of marriage, and type of marriage) in marital quality.
Statistical Power and Estimation of Incidence Rate Ratios Obtained from BED Incidence Testing for Evaluating HIV Interventions among Young People

Background The objectives of this study were to determine the capacity of BED incidence testing to a) estimate the effect of a HIV prevention intervention and b) provide adequate statistical power, when used among young people from sub-Saharan African settings with high HIV incidence rates. Methods Firstly, after having elaborated plausible scenarios based on empirical data and the characteristics of the BED HIV-1 Capture EIA (BED) assay, we conducted statistical calculations to determine the BED theoretical power and HIV incidence rate ratio (IRR) associated with an intervention when using BED incidence testing. Secondly, we simulated a cross-sectional study conducted in a population among whom an HIV intervention was rolled out. Simulated data were analyzed using a log-linear Poisson model to recalculate the IRR and its confidence interval, and estimate the BED practical power. Calculations were conducted with and without corrections for misclassifications. Results Calculations showed that BED incidence testing can yield a BED theoretical power of 75% or more of the power that can be obtained in a classical cohort study conducted over a duration equal to the BED window period. Statistical analyses using simulated populations showed that the effect of a prevention intervention can be estimated with precision using classical statistical analysis of BED incidence testing data, even with an imprecise knowledge of the characteristics of the BED assay. The BED practical power was lower but of the same magnitude as the BED theoretical power. Conclusions BED incidence testing can be applied to reasonably small samples to achieve good statistical power when used among young people to estimate IRR.
Whole‐body vibration induces pain and lumbar spinal inflammation responses in the rat that vary with the vibration profile

Whole‐body vibration (WBV) is linked epidemiologically to neck and back pain in humans, and to forepaw mechanical allodynia and cervical neuroinflammation in a rodent model of WBV, but the response of the low back and lumbar spine to WBV is unknown. A rat model of WBV was used to determine the effect of different WBV exposures on hind paw behavioral sensitivity and neuroinflammation in the lumbar spinal cord. Rats were exposed to 30 min of WBV at either 8 or 15 Hz on days 0 and 7, with the lumbar spinal cord assayed using immunohistochemistry at day 14. Behavioral sensitivity was measured using mechanical stimulation of the hind paws to determine the onset, persistence, and/or recovery of allodynia. Both WBV exposures induce mechanical allodynia 1 day following WBV, but only the 8 Hz WBV induces a sustained decrease in the withdrawal threshold through day 14. Similarly, increased activation of microglia, macrophages, and astrocytes in the superficial dorsal horn of the lumbar spinal cord is only evident after the painful 8 Hz WBV. Moreover, extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK)‐phosphorylation is most robust in neurons and astrocytes of the dorsal horn, with the most ERK phosphorylation occurring in the 8 Hz group. These findings indicate that a WBV exposure that induces persistent pain also induces a host of neuroimmune cellular activation responses that are also sustained. This work indicates there is an injury‐dependent response that is based on the vibration parameters, providing a potentially useful platform for studying mechanisms of painful spinal injuries. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1439–1446, 2016.
Inhibition of Rabies Virus by 1,2,3,4,6-Penta-O-galloyl-β-d-Glucose Involves mTOR-Dependent Autophagy

The compound 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose (PGG), a gallotannin present in various plants such as Rhus chinensis Mill and Paeonia suffruticosa, has a broad spectrum of antiviral effects. The present study investigated its potency against infection of mice with rabies virus (RABV). Results demonstrated that PGG strongly inhibited virus titers (50-fold), viral mRNA expression (up to 90%), and protein synthesis in vitro. Importantly, we found that PGG not only suppressed viral adsorption and entry, but also directly inactivated RABV through suppression of autophagy by mediating activation of the mTOR-dependent autophagy signaling pathway. In vivo, PGG (10 mg/kg) alleviated the clinical symptoms and reduced the mortality of infected mice by 27.3%. Collectively, our results indicate that PGG has potent anti-RABV effect, and merits further investigation as an anti-RABV drug.
Association between the rs342293 polymorphism and adverse cardiac events in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Summary The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs342293 has been shown to influence platelet number and mean platelet volume (MPV). We investigated the association between the rs342293 polymorphism and cardiovascular outcome in a prospective cohort study. The rs342293 polymorphism was analysed in 404 patients with coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. The rates of cardiac adverse events were recorded during two years of follow-up. The polymorphism was associated with MPV (median 10.1 fL, interquartile range [IQR]: 9.6 to 10.6 in patients with the CC-allele vs 10.4 fL, IQR: 9.9 to 11.1 in G>C SNP carriers; p<0.001), but not with platelet count. Survival analysis indicated that carriers of the rs342293 G variant had a substantially higher risk to develop cardiac adverse events compared with wild type carriers during two years of follow-up (33% vs 22%; adjusted hazard ratio = 1.63, 95% confidence interval = 1.06–2.52, p=0.027). The rs342293 SNP could explain 2.9% of the variability in MPV (p=0.01). In conclusion, patients undergoing coronary stenting who carry the G-variant of the rs342293 SNP which is associated with larger MPV are at higher risk for adverse cardiovascular outcome.
Dynamics of the echolocation beam during prey pursuit in aerial hawking bats

Significance Many insects have evolved ultrasonic ears to detect and evade hunting bats, performing dramatic escape maneuvers in response to intense ultrasound. Presumably as a response, some bats broaden their echolocation beam in close proximity to insects to keep track of them at large off-axis angles. Here, we investigated if beam broadening is a general property of echolocation when hunting moving prey. The results show that emballonurid bats ensonify a wide area during pursuit, not by broadening the beam but by emitting high-intensity calls throughout pursuit. Thus, beam broadening is not a general property of echolocation, but we hypothesize that maintaining a broad acoustic field of view is crucial for all echolocators hunting moving prey. In the evolutionary arms race between prey and predator, measures and countermeasures continuously evolve to increase survival on both sides. Bats and moths are prime examples. When exposed to intense ultrasound, eared moths perform dramatic escape behaviors. Vespertilionid and rhinolophid bats broaden their echolocation beam in the final stage of pursuit, presumably as a countermeasure to keep evading moths within their “acoustic field of view. ” In this study, we investigated if dynamic beam broadening is a general property of echolocation when catching moving prey. We recorded three species of emballonurid bats, Saccopteryx bilineata, Saccopteryx leptura, and Rhynchonycteris naso, catching airborne insects in the field. The study shows that S. bilineata and S. leptura maintain a constant beam shape during the entire prey pursuit, whereas R. naso broadens the beam by lowering the peak call frequency from 100 kHz during search and approach to 67 kHz in the buzz. Surprisingly, both Saccopteryx bats emit calls with very high energy throughout the pursuit, up to 60 times more than R. naso and Myotis daubentonii (a similar sized vespertilionid), providing them with as much, or more, peripheral “vision” than the vespertilionids, but ensonifying objects far ahead suggesting more clutter. Thus, beam broadening is not a fundamental property of the echolocation system. However, based on the results, we hypothesize that increased peripheral detection is crucial to all aerial hawking bats in the final stages of prey pursuit and speculate that beam broadening is a feature characterizing more advanced echolocation.
Quantitative MRI of Vastus Medialis, Vastus Lateralis and Gluteus Medius Muscle Workload after Squat Exercise: Comparison Between Squatting with Hip Adduction and Hip Abduction

Quantitative MRI of Vastus Medialis, Vastus Lateralis and Gluteus Medius Muscle Workload after Squat Exercise: Comparison Between Squatting with Hip Adduction and Hip Abduction The aim of the present study was to evaluate the use MRI to quantify the workload of gluteus medius (GM), vastus medialis (VM) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles in different types of squat exercises. Fourteen female volunteers were evaluated, average age of 22 ± 2 years, sedentary, without clinical symptoms, and without history of previous lower limb injuries. Quantitative MRI was used to analyze VM, VL and GM muscles before and after squat exercise, squat associated with isometric hip adduction and squat associated with isometric hip abduction. Multi echo images were acquired to calculate the transversal relaxation times (T2) before and after exercise. Mixed Effects Model statistical analysis was used to compare images before and after the exercise (ΔT2) to normalize the variability between subjects. Imaging post processing was performed in Matlab software. GM muscle was the least active during the squat associated with isometric hip adduction and VM the least active during the squat associated with isometric hip abduction, while VL was the most active during squat associated with isometric hip adduction. Our data suggests that isometric hip adduction during the squat does not increase the workload of VM, but decreases the GM muscle workload. Squat associated with isometric hip abduction does not increase VL workload.
Novel improvement in processing of polymer nanocomposite based on 2D materials as fillers

Here, for the first time, novel improvement in processing of polymer nanocomposite based on 2D materials as fillers leading to manufacturing by melt mixing is described. Two new strategies were used to insert pre-exfoliated 2D material into the polymer matrix, liquid-phase feeding (LPF), and solid-solid deposition (SSD). Initially, graphene oxide (GO) and polystyrene (PS) were used as templates for the 2D material and polymer, respectively. Traditional characterizations (tensile mechanical test, molecular weight, rheological measurements and transmission electron microscopy) were carried out, therefore, two unique characterization techniques beyond micro and nanoscale were also used allowing the evaluation of the nanocomposite morphology for millimeter samples size (X-ray Microtomography and Low-Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance). The results show that both methods could be suitable as large-scale manufacturing, and the process parameters must be optimized to obtain a low level of agglomerates. SSD and LPF methods were also applied to other different poly-mer/2D materials systems (poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) – PBAT/GO and PS/Molybdenum disulfide – MoS 2 ), and the results are also presented here. The methodologies described here show indications that can be extended to all ther-moplastic polymers and 2D materials providing nanocomposites with suitable morphology to obtain singular properties and to trigger the start of the manufacturing process on a large scale.
Performance comparison of 24S-10P and 24S-14P field excitation flux switching machine with single DC-Coil polarity

Flux switching machines (FSMs) that consist of all flux sources in the stator have been developed in recent years due to their advantages of single piece and robust rotor structure suitable for various speed applications. They can be categorized into three groups that are permanent magnet (PM) FSM, field excitation (FE) FSM, and hybrid excitation (HE) FSM. Both PMFSM and FEFSM has only PM and field excitation coil (FEC), respectively as their main flux sources, while HEFSM combines both PM and FECs. Among these FSMs, the FEFSM offers advantages of low cost, simple construction and variable flux control capabilities suitable for various performances. In this paper, design study and flux interaction analysis of a new 12S10P and 12S-14P FEFSM with single direction of DC FEC winding are presented. Initially, design procedures of the FEFSM including parts drawing, materials and conditions setting, and properties setting are explained. Then, coil arrangement tests are examined to confirm the machine operating principle and position of each armature coil phase. Finally, flux interaction between DC FEC and armature coil, FEC flux capabilities at various current condition, induced voltage and initial torque are also analyzed.
Pollen morphology of Nothofagus (Nothofagaceae, Fagales) and its phylogenetic significance

Abstract Nothofagaceae (southern beeches) are a relatively small flowering plant family of trees confined to the Southern Hemisphere. The fossil record of the family is abundant and it has been widely used as a test case for the classic hypothesis that Antarctica, Patagonia, Australia and New Zealand were once joined together. Although the phylogenetic relationships in Nothofagus appear to be well supported, the evolution of some pollen morphological traits remains elusive, largely because of the lack of ultrastructural analyses. Here we describe the pollen morphology of all extant South American species of Nothofagus, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and light microscopy (LM), and reconstruct ancestral character states using a well-supported phylogenetic tree of the family. Our results indicate that the main differences between pollen of subgenera Fuscospora (pollen type fusca a) and Nothofagus (pollen type fusca b) are related to the size of microspines (distinguishable or not in optical section), and the thickening of colpi margins (thickened inwards, or thickened both inwards and outwards). In particular, Nothofagus alessandrii, the only extant South American species of subgenus Fuscospora, presents distinctive pollen features that have not been observed in any other species of the genus (i.e. a large granular infratectum and spongy apertural endexine). Species of subgenus Lophozonia are characterized by having the largest pollen grains, with polygonal outline in polar view, microspines distinguishable in optical section, long and non-thickened colpi, and a thin endexine. The reconstruction of character states for the node corresponding to the common ancestor to genus Nothofagus leads us to conclude that the ancestral form of Nothofagaceae should have had: equatorial diameter < 40 μm, circular outline in polar view, microspines distinguishable in optical section, short colpi thickened inwards, and a thin endexine. These features are fully consistent with those present in Nothofagidites senectus Dettmann & Playford, the oldest fossil species of Nothofagaceae recorded in Campanian-Maastrichtian sediments of Gondwana.
Long Noncoding RNA LINC01296 Harbors miR-21a to Regulate Colon Carcinoma Proliferation and Invasion.

Increasing evidence has demonstrated that aberrant expressions of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are closely correlated to various malignancies, as well as colon carcinoma (CC). The aim of this study was to investigate the role of lncRNA long intergenic noncoding RNA 001296 (LINC01296) in tumorigenesis of CC. The result of the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) demonstrated that LINC01296 was upregulated in CC cancerous tissues and cell lines compared to adjacent normal tissue and normal liver cell lines. LINC01296 overexpression was associated with poor prognosis and lower survival rate. Moreover, LINC01296 silencing inhibited the proliferation and invasion of CC cells in vitro detected by epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Bioinformatics analysis revealed that miR-21a targeted the 3'-UTR of LINC01296. Rescue experiments confirmed that miR21a could reverse the function of LINC01296 on CC cells. Together, our findings indicated that overexpression of LINC01296 is associated with poor survival of CC patients and promotes CC cell progression by regulating miR-21a, providing a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target.
Influence of strain and polycrystalline ordering on magnetic properties of high moment rare earth metals and alloys

Despite being the most suitable candidates for solenoid pole pieces in state-of-the-art superconductor-based electromagnets, the intrinsic magnetic properties of heavy rare earth metals and their alloys have gained comparatively little attention. With the potential of integration in micro and nanoscale devices, thin films of Gd, Dy, Tb, DyGd and DyTb were plasma-sputtered and investigated for their in-plane magnetic properties, with an emphasis on magnetization versus temperature profiles. Based on crystal structure analysis of the polycrystalline rare earth films, which consist of a low magnetic moment fcc layer at the seed interface topped with a higher moment hcp layer, an experimental protocol is introduced which allows the direct magnetic analysis of the individual layers. In line with the general trend of heavy lanthanides, the saturation magnetization was found to drop with increasing unit cell size. In situ annealed rare earth films exceeded the saturation magnetization of a high-moment Fe65Co35 reference film in the cryogenic temperature regime, proving their potential for pole piece applications; however as-deposited rare earth films were found completely unsuitable. In agreement with theoretical predictions, sufficiently strained crystal phases of Tb and Dy did not exhibit an incommensurate magnetic order, unlike their single-crystal counterparts which have a helical phase. DyGd and DyTb alloys followed the trends of the elemental rare earth metals in terms of crystal structure and magnetic properties. Inter-rare-earth alloys hence present a desirable blend of saturation magnetization and operating temperature.
A coupled FE-IGA technique for modeling fatigue crack growth in engineering materials

ABSTRACT In this paper, a novel technique has been developed by coupling the conventional finite element method (FEM) with the extended iso-geometric approach (XIGA) for modeling crack growth in engineering materials. The new proposed technique, named as the coupled FE-IGA technique, exploits the advantages of both the FEM and the XIGA. XIGA is used for the approximation of the displacement field in the region surrounding the crack surfaces, whereas the rest of the domain is discretized into conventional Lagrange finite elements. The transition elements are used to connect FEM portion of the domain with the XIGA region. The displacement approximations across the transition elements must preserve the continuity between XIGA and FEM solutions. The Ramp function approach is used for the approximation of the displacement field across the transition elements. The discontinuities such as cracks, holes, inclusions and other material interfaces are modeled independent of the mesh in coupled FE-IGA technique. The standard displacement approximations are enriched with appropriate enrichment functions, which introduce the effect of different discontinuities into the formulation. Finally, several numerical problems are solved by the coupled FE-IGA technique to demonstrate the capabilities of this novel approach in modeling fatigue crack growth in engineering materials.
Determination of the electron temperature in the modified ionosphere over HAARP using the HF pumped Stimulated Brillouin Scatter (SBS) emission lines

Abstract. An ordinary mode electromagnetic wave can decay into an ion acoustic wave and a scattered electromagnetic wave by a process called stimulated Brillouin scatter (SBS). The first detection of this process during ionospheric modification with high power radio waves was reported by Norin et al. (2009) using the HAARP transmitter in Alaska. Subsequent experiments have provided additional verification of this process and quantitative interpretation of the scattered wave frequency offsets to yield measurements of the electron temperatures in the heated ionosphere. Using the SBS technique, electron temperatures between 3000 and 4000 K were measured over the HAARP facility. The matching conditions for decay of the high frequency pump wave show that in addition to the production of an ion-acoustic wave, an electrostatic ion cyclotron wave may also be produced by the generalized SBS processes. Based on the matching condition theory, the first profiles of the scattered wave amplitude are produced using the stimulated Brillouin scatter (SBS) matching conditions. These profiles are consistent with maximum ionospheric interactions at the upper-hybrid resonance height and at a region just below the plasma resonance altitude where the pump wave electric fields reach their maximum values.