Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recovery of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Service Run GTD-111 DS Buckets

Degradation of microstructure and mechanical properties of a service run GTD-111 DS blade was evaluated. The blade was coated with a CoCrAlY coating (GT-29) and had operated on a GE Model MS 5002 engine for 54,850 hours. To recover the microstructure of the degraded blade, the effect of solution treatment temperature on the microstructure and properties was evaluated. The blanks removed from the airfoil tip section were given a commonly used partial solution treatment 2050°F (1120°C) for GTD-111 and a high temperature solution treatment 2175°F (1190°C) prior to the partial solution and aging treatments. Microstructure and creep test results of these heat treated specimens revealed that the high temperature solution treatment was necessary to recover the microstructure and properties of in-service degraded GTD-111 DS buckets.Copyright © 1999 by ASME
Ipilimumab and Stereotactic Radiosurgery Versus Stereotactic Radiosurgery Alone for Newly Diagnosed Melanoma Brain Metastases

Background: We compared the safety and efficacy of ipilimumab and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) to SRS alone for newly diagnosed melanoma brain metastases (MBM). Materials and Methods: We reviewed records of newly diagnosed MBM patients treated with SRS from 2009 to 2013. The primary endpoint of overall survival (OS), and secondary endpoints of local control, distant intracranial failure, and radiation necrosis were compared using Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed using the Cox proportional hazards method. Results: Fifty-four consecutive MBM patients were identified, with 20 (37.0%) receiving ipilimumab within 4 months of SRS. Ipilimumab-treated and non-ipilimumab–treated patients had similar baseline characteristics. No difference in symptomatic radiation necrosis or hemorrhage was identified between cohorts. Compared with patients in the nonipilimumab group, 1 year local control (71.4% vs. 92.3%, P=0.40) and intracranial control (12.7% vs. 29.1%, P=0.59) were also statistically similar. The ipilimumab cohort also had no difference in 1-year OS (37.1% vs. 38.5%, P=0.84). Patients administered ipilimumab within 14 days of SRS had higher 1-year (42.9%) and 2-year OS (42.9%) relative to ipilimumab delivered >14 days (33.8%, 16.9%) and SRS alone (38.5%, 25.7%) but these difference were not statistically significant. Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis both confirmed single brain metastasis, controlled primary, and active systemic disease as predictors for OS. Conclusions: Use of ipilimumab within 4 months of SRS seems to be safe, with no increase in radiation necrosis or hemorrhage; however, our retrospective institutional experience with this treatment regimen was not associated with improved outcomes.
Factors limiting regeneration of ATP following temporary ischemia in cat brain.

Cerebral ischemia was induced in cats using bilateral carotid artery occlusion coupled with hemorrhagic hypotension. Thirty minutes of ischemia, which depleted levels of ATP and phosphocreatine throughout the cerebral cortex, was followed by 2–4 hours of recirculation. During the recovery period, cortical perfusion and NADH fluorescence were monitored through a cranial window. Postischemic perfusion, as indicated by transit time, was initially higher than control, but declined to subnormal levels by 60 minutes. NADH fluorescence transients, induced by brief anoxia, also decreased steadily during recirculation, indicating a failure of oxidation-reduction capability. The disappearance of anoxic-NADH transients usually preceded the decline of flow, suggesting that O2 delivery was not the factor limiting redox reactions. Furthermore, tissue levels of NADH, which were nearly normal after 2–4 hours of recirculation, did not indicate tissue hypoxia. In spite of normalization of NADH, resynthesis of high energy phosphates were severely impaired. The degree of ATP recovery varied widely in different cortical regions; however, there were two general groups of ATP values–one at 5% and the other at 70% of control levels. In the energy-depleted areas, NADH levels were normal, but the total pool of NAD (NADH + NAD+) and the tissue content of K+ were 43% lower than control. In contrast, the NAD pool and K+ content were only slightly diminished in the regions with greater ATP restitution. The results suggest that postischemic resynthesis of ATP may be limited not by inadequate delivery of O2, but rather by defective production of NADH.
Structure and molecular mechanism of an anion-selective mechanosensitive channel of small conductance

Mechanosensitive (MS) channels are universal cellular membrane pores. Bacterial MS channels, as typified by MS channel of small conductance (MscS) from Escherichia coli (EcMscS), release osmolytes under hypoosmotic conditions. MS channels are known to be ion selective to different extents, but the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Here we identify an anion-selective MscS channel from Thermoanaerobacter tengcongensis (TtMscS). The structure of TtMscS closely resembles that of EcMscS, but it lacks the large cytoplasmic equatorial portals found in EcMscS. In contrast, the cytoplasmic pore formed by the C-terminal β-barrel of TtMscS is larger than that of EcMscS and has a strikingly different pattern of electrostatic surface potential. Swapping the β-barrel region between TtMscS and EcMscS partially switches the ion selectivity. Our study defines the role of the β-barrel in the ion selection of an anion-selective MscS channel and provides a structural basis for understanding the ion selectivity of MscS channels.
Comparative Efficacy of Three Forms of Parenteral Iron

Intravenous iron therapy is a useful treatment for the rapid correction of iron deficiency anaemia and can be used to avoid or reduce the requirement for allogeneic blood transfusion. Several intravenous iron preparations are available commercially which differ in cost, mode of administration and side effect profile. There are few data directly comparing the efficacy of these preparations. In this retrospective single-centre study, we present the results from two hundred and eight patients treated using three different iron preparations (iron dextran, iron sucrose and ferric carboxymaltose) and compare the effect on haemoglobin levels and other measures of iron deficiency six weeks after treatment. Within the limitations of our study design, we show a statistically and clinically significant difference in efficacy between these preparations.
The effects of moderate physical exercise on cardiac hypertrophy in interleukin 6 deficient mice.

PURPOSE Prolonged physical training leads to compensatory changes in cardiovascular system. One of the most important of them is cardiac hypertrophy. The knowledge, which factors contribute to cardiomyocyte hypertrophy caused by physical exercise is still incomplete. Interleukin 6 (IL6) secreted by contracting skeletal muscles may affect cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling. The aim of the study was to investigate the role of IL6 in exercise induced cardiac hypertrophy. MATERIAL AND METHODS Female mice lacking functional IL6 gene C57BL6/J(IL6-/-tm1Kopf) (IL6KO) and age and sex matched controls C57BL6/J (WT) were subjected to 6 week swimming regime. Twenty-four hours after the last training session the mice were sacrificed, hearts were excised and weighed. Two other groups of sex and strain matched mice (9 in each group) not subjected to physical training, were sacrificed and served as controls. Weights of the heart and the left ventricle were related independently to the body weight and the tibia length as measures of hypertrophy. Statistical analysis was performed using multifactorial ANOVA and the Fisher test. RESULTS There was significantly higher heart/body weight ratio in both groups of mice which were trained as compared to the respective sedentary animals [F(3,30) = 31.085 p < 0.001] There were, however, no significant differences between respective WT and IL6KO groups. Similar relations were found for the left ventricle and also when the weights of the heart and the LV were related to the tibia length. CONCLUSION IL6 is not necessary for cardiac hypertrophy induced by prolonged moderate physical exercise in mice. Additional study is warranted to elucidate this phenomenon.
Sinorhizobium meliloti chemotaxis to quaternary ammonium compounds is mediated by the chemoreceptor McpX

The bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti is attracted to seed exudates of its host plant alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Since quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are exuded by germinating seeds, we assayed chemotaxis of S. meliloti towards betonicine, choline, glycine betaine, stachydrine and trigonelline. The wild type displayed a positive response to all QACs. Using LC–MS, we determined that each germinating alfalfa seed exuded QACs in the nanogram range. Compared to the closely related nonhost species, spotted medic (Medicago arabica), unique profiles were released. Further assessments of single chemoreceptor deletion strains revealed that an mcpX deletion strain displayed little to no response to these compounds. Differential scanning fluorimetry showed interaction of the isolated periplasmic region of McpX (McpXPR and McpX34‐306) with QACs. Isothermal titration calorimetry experiments revealed tight binding to McpXPR with dissociation constants (Kd) in the nanomolar range for choline and glycine betaine, micromolar Kd for stachydrine and trigonelline and a Kd in the millimolar range for betonicine. Our discovery of S. meliloti chemotaxis to plant‐derived QACs adds another role to this group of compounds, which are known to serve as nutrient sources, osmoprotectants and cell‐to‐cell signalling molecules. This is the first report of a chemoreceptor that mediates QACs taxis through direct binding.
Nitrifier Gene Abundance and Diversity in Sediments Impacted by Acid Mine Drainage

Extremely acidic and metal-rich acid mine drainage (AMD) waters can have severe toxicological effects on aquatic ecosystems. AMD has been shown to completely halt nitrification, which plays an important role in transferring nitrogen to higher organisms and in mitigating nitrogen pollution. We evaluated the gene abundance and diversity of nitrifying microbes in AMD-impacted sediments: ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA), ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB). Samples were collected from the Iron Springs Mining District (Ophir, CO, United States) during early and late summer in 2013 and 2014. Many of the sites were characterized by low pH (<5) and high metal concentrations. Sequence analyses revealed AOA genes related to Nitrososphaera, Nitrosotalea, and Nitrosoarchaeum; AOB genes related to Nitrosomonas and Nitrosospira; and NOB genes related to Nitrospira. The overall abundance of AOA, AOB and NOB was examined using quantitative PCR (qPCR) amplification of the amoA and nxrB functional genes and 16S rRNA genes. Gene copy numbers ranged from 3.2 × 104 – 4.9 × 107 archaeal amoA copies ∗ μg DNA-1, 1.5 × 103 – 5.3 × 105 AOB 16S rRNA copies ∗ μg DNA-1, and 1.3 × 106 – 7.7 × 107 Nitrospira nxrB copies ∗ μg DNA-1. Overall, Nitrospira nxrB genes were found to be more abundant than AOB 16S rRNA and archaeal amoA genes in most of the sample sites across 2013 and 2014. AOB 16S rRNA and Nitrospira nxrB genes were quantified in sediments with pH as low as 3.2, and AOA amoA genes were quantified in sediments as low as 3.5. Though pH varied across all sites (pH 3.2–8.3), pH was not strongly correlated to the overall community structure or relative abundance of individual OTUs for any gene (based on CCA and Spearman correlations). pH was positivity correlated to the total abundance (qPCR) of AOB 16S rRNA genes, but not for any other genes. Metals were not correlated to the overall nitrifier community composition or abundance, but were correlated to the relative abundances of several individual OTUs. These findings extend our understanding of the distribution of nitrifying microbes in AMD-impacted systems and provide a platform for further research.
Online Sequential Prediction via Incremental Parsing: The Active LeZi Algorithm

Intelligent systems that can predict future events can make more reliable decisions. Active LeZi, a sequential prediction algorithm, can reason about the future in stochastic domains without domain-specific knowledge. In this article, potential of constructing a prediction algorithm based on data compression techniques are investigated. Active LeZi prediction algorithm approaches sequential prediction from an information-theoretic standpoint. For any sequence of events that can be modeled as a stochastic process, ALZ uses Markov models to optimally predict the next symbol
Minimization of the first eigenvalue in problems involving the bi-laplacian

This paper concerns the minimization of the first eigenvalue in problems involving the bi-Laplacian under either homogeneous Navier boundary conditions or homogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions. Physically, in case of N = 2, our equation models the vibration of a non homogeneous plate which is either hinged or clamped along the boundary. Given several materials (with different densities) of total extension | |, we investigate the location of these materials inside so to minimize the first mode in the vibration of the corresponding plate. Keywords: bi-Laplacian, first eigenvalue, minimization.
Formation of Reactive Oxygen Species in Various Vascular Cells During Glyceryltrinitrate Metabolism

Background: Anti-ischemic therapy with organic nitrates as nitric oxide (NO) donors is complicated by the induction of tolerance. When nitrates are metabolized to release NO, there is a considerable coproduction of reactive oxygen species (superoxide radical and per oxynitrite) in vessels leading to inactivation of NO, to diminished cyclic quanosine mono phosphate production in smooth muscle cells (SMC), to impaired vasomotor responses to the endothelium-derived relaxation factor (EDRF), and to formation of nitrotyrosine as a marker of glyceryltrinitrate (GTN)-induced formation of peroxynitrite. The aim of the study was to analyze in vitro the formation of superoxide radicals and of peroxynitrite in GTN-treated endothelial and smooth muscle cells and in washed ex vivo platelets using electron spin resonance and spin-trapping techniques. Methods and Results: Using 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) as a spin trap, it was shown that in platelets, smooth muscle, and endothelial cells incubated acutely for 15 minutes with 0.5 mM GTN, the rate of generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was twice as high as under control conditions. Using the new spin-trap 2H-imidazole-1-oxide (TMIO), a GTN-induced peroxynitrite formation was detected in SMC and in platelets incubated with 0.5 mM GTN for 15 minutes. Spin-trap 1-hydroxy-3-carboxy-pyrrolidine (CP-H) was used to estimate the rate of ROS formation in platelets incubated for 15 min utes with 0.5 mM GTN; the rate amounted to 14.6 ± 1.1 nM/min/mg protein compared with 4.0 ± 0.4 nM/min/mg protein in controls. The rate of ROS formation in SMCs was substan tially increased (240 ± 16%) after initiation of GTN tolerance by treatment of the cells in culture with 100 μM GTN for 24 hours. Conclusions: GTN increases the formation of superoxide radicals in endothelial cells, SMCs, and platelets. Peroxynitrite is formed during GTN metabolism in vascular cells and may contribute to the development of tolerance. A decrease in the nitrate-induced inhibi tion of platelet aggregation during GTN tolerance is associated with oxidative actions of ROS formed in platelets during GTN metabolism.
The New Zealand National Eye Bank Study 1991-2003: A Review of the Source and Management of Corneal Tissue

Purpose: To evaluate donor demographics and source, donor tissue processing and storage, biologic contamination, and the utilization and distribution of corneal tissue procured by the New Zealand National Eye Bank. Methods: As part of a prospective longitudinal study, the electronic records of the NZNEB for the 13-year period 1991-2003 were analyzed for each year with respect to donor demographics, donor source and cause of death, death-to-preservation interval, storage methods, endothelial assessment, biologic contamination, corneal tissue utilization, and distribution. Results: During the study period, 3221 corneas were retrieved from 1628 donors (69.8% male, 30.2% female), with the mean age of donors 59.4 years (SD 18.3 years) and range 4 to 95 years. No significant correlation was identified between donor age group (using 10-year intervals) and the proportion of corneas suitable for transplantation. Donors were procured from the Coroner's service (67.6%), public hospitals, (23.5%) and multiorgan donors (7.1%). The most common causes of donor death were cardiovascular disease, trauma, and cerebrovascular disease. Average storage duration increased from 3.5 to 11.8 days when organ culture replaced hypothermic storage in 1992. Biologic contamination occurred in 5% of all donor corneas. The most common bacterial and fungal isolates were coagulase-negative staphylococci and Candida spp, respectively. A significant decrease in contamination rate over the years of the study was identified. Overall, 79.4% of corneal tissue procured was used for corneal transplantation (75.8% for penetrating keratoplasty, 2.1% for lamellar keratoplasty, and 1.5% for unspecified transplants), and 21.6% was discarded. Most common reasons for discarding tissue were biologic contamination, abnormal serology, and failed endothelial assessment. Conclusion: Analysis of the NZNEB database provides valuable information in relation to eye banking and corneal transplantation in New Zealand. Significant trends were identified in donor demographics, donor procurement source, improved donor tissue processing and storage, decreased biologic contamination, and increased utilization of corneal tissue.
The Association of Physical Activity with Lung Cancer Incidence in a Cohort of Older Women: The Iowa Women's Health Study

Background: We examined the potential association between physical activity and lung cancer in women. Methods: In 1986, 36,929 women from Iowa, who were free of prior cancer, completed a questionnaire regarding physical activity, smoking, body mass index, and other life-style factors. Women were followed through 2002 for cancer incidence. Results: After adjusting for potential confounders, women with high physical activity levels were less likely [hazard ratio, 0.77; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 0.64-0.94] to develop lung cancer than women with low activity levels. This hazard ratio was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.55-0.94) in current smokers and 0.63 (95% CI, 0.43-0.92) in former smokers, but was not significant in never smokers. Conclusion: These results suggest that physical activity might reduce the risk of lung cancer in women who are current or former smokers. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(12):2359–64)
Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquid Dissolution Influence on Crystallinity of Oil Palm Frond, Oil Palm Trunk and Elephant Grass Lignocellulosic Biomass

Ionic liquid (IL) has been shown to affect cellulose crystalline structure in lignocellulosic biomass (LB) during pretreatment. This research was carried out with two different experimental design involving IL to observe the effect of dissolution in IL on: (A) the crystallinity of cellulose and (B) the dissolution efficiency of LB. For experiment A, the types of IL used in this research were 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Acetate [EMI[A, 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium Chloride [AMI[C, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium Chloride [BMI[C and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Chloride [EMI[C. The crystallinity degree of LB was investigated before and after pretreatment with IL. The microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was used as the simulated LB (cellulose content) was dissolved in IL and the crystallinity after the dissolution was analyzed. The temperature (70°C, 80°C, 90°C, 99°C) and concentration ratio of IL with volume/volume (v/v: 10%, 25%, 50%) were varied while the dissolution time remained constant. The crystallinity was analyzed by using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed that the dissolution temperature and IL concentration ratio affects the intensity of the FTIR peaks. In experiment B, the dissolution of LB with 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium Chloride [BMI[C and 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Chloride [EMI[C as ILs were investigated. Four types of LB involved were Elaeis guineensis species of Oil Palm Trunk (OPT) and Oil Palm Frond (OPF) and Pennisetum purpureum species (elephant grass) originated from Taiwan and India. From the results obtained, the [BMI[C gave better dissolution to biomass.
Myocardial Sympathetic Innervation in Patients with Symptomatic Coronary Artery Disease: Follow-up After 1 Year with Neurostimulation

In both diabetic and nondiabetic patients, there is a loose correlation between coronary flow reserve (CFR) and sympathetic innervation in viable myocardial segments. The loose correlation implies that sympathetic innervation may be preserved even with major impairment of myocardial blood supply. In some patients, denervation is due to repetitive episodes of ischemia in areas with severely reduced CFR. We investigated the long-term effect of reduced CFR on myocardial sympathetic innervation in diabetic and nondiabetic patients with spinal cord stimulation. Methods: We analyzed 23 patients (10 diabetic and 13 nondiabetic) with coronary artery disease and without known cardiac autonomic neuropathy. At baseline, we determined quantitative myocardial blood flow using 13N-ammonia PET, myocardial viability using 18F-FDG PET, and cardiac innervation using 11C-hydroxyephedrine (HED) PET. At the 1-y follow-up we measured CFR and 11C-HED retention. During follow-up, no cardiac intervention was performed and no myocardial infarction occurred. In all patients, spinal cord stimulation was performed for relief of angina. Results: There was no significant difference in segmental 11C-HED retention between baseline and follow-up in the whole patient group. In diabetic patients, as well as in segments with severely reduced CFR (<1.5), 11C-HED retention showed a small but significant decrease (P < 0.05). Linear regression of segmental 11C-HED retention between baseline and follow-up was high (r2 = 0.81), confirming good reproducibility of the investigation on the one hand and little change in regional sympathetic innervation on the other hand. Conclusion: In patients with stable chronic coronary artery disease, sympathetic innervation of the myocardium is almost unchanged in both diabetic and nondiabetic patients in a 1-y follow-up. In myocardial segments with severely altered blood supply, a small but significant decrease in 11C-HED retention most probably reflects ischemic neuronal damage. The prognostic relevance of sympathetic denervation in viable myocardium still has to be determined.