Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of processing parameters on microstructure and mechanical performance of refill friction stir spot welded 7075-T6 aluminium alloy

Refill friction stir spot welding (FSSW) is a solid state joining technology recently derived from conventional FSSW. In the present study, refill FSSW was performed in a 0·8 mm thick AA7075-T6 aluminium alloy with varying welding parameters (welding time and plunge depth). The influence of welding parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the weld was investigated in terms of nugget thickness, hardness and overlap shear strength. The microstructural features and fracture mechanism were observed by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results indicate that the nugget thickness increases with increasing welding time and plunge depth. Furthermore, melted films observed in the stir zone (SZ) were consistent with a maximum temperature of 470·9°C measured 2·6 mm away from the SZ. The overlap shear strength increases with the increase of weld time and plunge depth due to increasing nugget diameter.
The multiple disguises of spiders: web colour and decorations, body colour and movement

Diverse functions have been assigned to the visual appearance of webs, spiders and web decorations, including prey attraction, predator deterrence and camouflage. Here, we review the pertinent literature, focusing on potential camouflage and mimicry. Webs are often difficult to detect in a heterogeneous visual environment. Static and dynamic web distortions are used to escape visual detection by prey, although particular silk may also attract prey. Recent work using physiological models of vision taking into account visual environments rarely supports the hypothesis of spider camouflage by decorations, but most often the prey attraction and predator confusion hypotheses. Similarly, visual modelling shows that spider coloration is effective in attracting prey but not in conveying camouflage. Camouflage through colour change might be used by particular crab spiders to hide from predator or prey on flowers of different coloration. However, results obtained on a non-cryptic crab spider suggest that an alternative function of pigmentation may be to avoid UV photodamage through the transparent cuticle. Numerous species are clearly efficient locomotory mimics of ants, particularly in the eyes of their predators. We close our paper by highlighting gaps in our knowledge.
Modulation of N-Type Calcium Channel Activity by G-Proteins and Protein Kinase C

N-type voltage-gated calcium channel activity in rat superior cervical ganglion neurons is modulated by a variety of pathways. Activation of heterotrimeric G-proteins reduces whole-cell current amplitude, whereas phosphorylation by protein kinase C leads to an increase in current amplitude. It has been proposed that these two distinct pathways converge on the channel's pore-forming α1B subunit, such that the actions of one pathway can preclude those of the other. In this study, we have characterized further the actions of PKC on whole-cell barium currents in neonatal rat superior cervical ganglion neurons. We first examined whether the effects of G-protein–mediated inhibition and phosphorylation by PKC are mutually exclusive. G-proteins were activated by including 0.4 mM GTP or 0.1 mM GTP-γ-S in the pipette, and PKC was activated by bath application of 500 nM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). We found that activated PKC was unable to reverse GTP-γ-S–induced inhibition unless prepulses were applied, indicating that reversal of inhibition by phosphorylation appears to occur only after dissociation of the G-protein from the channel. Once inhibition was relieved, activation of PKC was sufficient to prevent reinhibition of current by G-proteins, indicating that under phosphorylating conditions, channels are resistant to G-protein–mediated modulation. We then examined what effect, if any, phosphorylation by PKC has on N-type barium currents beyond antagonizing G-protein–mediated inhibition. We found that, although G-protein activation significantly affected peak current amplitude, fast inactivation, holding-potential–dependent inactivation, and voltage-dependent activation, when G-protein activation was minimized by dialysis of the cytoplasm with 0.1 mM GDP-β-S, these parameters were not affected by bath application of PMA. These results indicate that, under our recording conditions, phosphorylation by PKC has no effect on whole-cell N-type currents, other than preventing inhibition by G-proteins.
Platelets and Infection – An Emerging Role of Platelets in Viral Infection

Platelets are anucleate blood cells that play a crucial role in the maintenance of hemostasis. While platelet activation and elevated platelet counts (thrombocytosis) are associated with increased risk of thrombotic complications, low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) and several platelet function disorders increase the risk of bleeding. Over the last years, more and more evidence has emerged that platelets and their activation state can also modulate innate and adaptive immune responses and low platelet counts have been identified as a surrogate marker for poor prognosis in septic patients. Viral infections often coincide with platelet activation. Host inflammatory responses result in the release of platelet activating mediators and a pro-oxidative and pro-coagulant environment, which favors platelet activation. However, viruses can also directly interact with platelets and megakaryocytes and modulate their function. Furthermore, platelets can be activated by viral antigen–antibody complexes and in response to some viruses B-lymphocytes also generate anti-platelet antibodies. All these processes contributing to platelet activation result in increased platelet consumption and removal and often lead to thrombocytopenia, which is frequently observed during viral infection. However, virus-induced platelet activation does not only modulate platelet count but also shape immune responses. Platelets and their released products have been reported to directly and indirectly suppress infection and to support virus persistence in response to certain viruses, making platelets a double-edged sword during viral infections. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on platelet interaction with different types of viruses, the viral impact on platelet activation, and platelet-mediated modulations of innate and adaptive immune responses.
Interaction of Calcineurin and Type-A GABA Receptor γ2 Subunits Produces Long-Term Depression at CA1 Inhibitory Synapses

Long-term depression (LTD) is an activity-dependent weakening of synaptic efficacy at individual inhibitory synapses, a possible cellular model of learning and memory. Here, we show that the induction of LTD of inhibitory transmission recruits activated calcineurin (CaN) to dephosphorylate type-A GABA receptor (GABAARs) via the direct binding of CaN catalytic domain to the second intracellular domain of the GABAAR-γ2subunits. Prevention of the CaN–GABAA receptor complex formation by expression of an autoinhibitory domain of CaN in the hippocampus of transgenic mice blocks the induction of LTD. Conversely, genetic expression of the CaN catalytic domain in the hippocampus depresses inhibitory synaptic responses, occluding LTD. Thus, an activity-dependent physical and functional interaction between CaN and GABAA receptors is both necessary and sufficient for inducing LTD at CA1 individual inhibitory synapses.
Genetic epidemiology of rheumatoid arthritis.

We conducted family studies and segregation analyses of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that were based on consecutive patients with RA ascertained without regard to family history or known risk factors. First-degree relatives from 135 simplex and 30 multiplex families were included in the analyses. A highly penetrant recessive major gene, with a mutant allele frequency of . 005, was identified as the most parsimonious genetic risk factor. Significant evidence for heterogeneity in risk for RA was observed for proband gender but not for proband age at onset. Kaplan-Meier risk analysis demonstrated significant evidence for differences in the distribution of risk among first-degree relatives. These analyses demonstrated that both proband gender and age at onset are important risk factors but that proband gender appears to be the more important determinant of risk, with relatives of male probands having the greatest cumulative risk for RA. In addition, log-linear modeling identified proband gender, familiality (multiplex or simplex), and an interaction term between these two variables as being adequate to define the distribution of risk in families. The pattern of risk for RA among susceptible individuals and its inheritance is thus heterogeneous. For future genetic analyses, families with an excess of affected males having a young age at onset may be the most informative in identifying the putative recessive gene and its modifiers.
Effect of Global Cardiac Ischemia on Human Ventricular Fibrillation: Insights from a Multi-scale Mechanistic Model of the Human Heart

Acute regional ischemia in the heart can lead to cardiac arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation (VF), which in turn compromise cardiac output and result in secondary global cardiac ischemia. The secondary ischemia may influence the underlying arrhythmia mechanism. A recent clinical study documents the effect of global cardiac ischaemia on the mechanisms of VF. During 150 seconds of global ischemia the dominant frequency of activation decreased, while after reperfusion it increased rapidly. At the same time the complexity of epicardial excitation, measured as the number of epicardical phase singularity points, remained approximately constant during ischemia. Here we perform numerical studies based on these clinical data and propose explanations for the observed dynamics of the period and complexity of activation patterns. In particular, we study the effects on ischemia in pseudo-1D and 2D cardiac tissue models as well as in an anatomically accurate model of human heart ventricles. We demonstrate that the fall of dominant frequency in VF during secondary ischemia can be explained by an increase in extracellular potassium, while the increase during reperfusion is consistent with washout of potassium and continued activation of the ATP-dependent potassium channels. We also suggest that memory effects are responsible for the observed complexity dynamics. In addition, we present unpublished clinical results of individual patient recordings and propose a way of estimating extracellular potassium and activation of ATP-dependent potassium channels from these measurements.
Black-White differences in the effect of baseline depressive symptoms on deaths due to renal diseases: 25 year follow up of a nationally representative community sample

Introduction: More studies are needed to examine whether race moderates the effect of baseline depressive symptoms on cause-specific mortality including deaths due to renal diseases in the United States. Objectives: The present longitudinal study compared Blacks and Whites for the effect of baseline depressive symptoms on deaths due to renal diseases over a 25-year period in a nationally representative community sample. Patients and Methods: Data came from the Americans’ Changing Lives (ACL) study, a nationally representative cohort that followed 3361 Black (n = 1156) or White (n = 2205) adults 25 and older for up to 25 years from 1986 to 2011. Month, year and cause of death were extracted from death certificates or national death index reports and coded based on ICD-9 or ICD-10 codes, depending on the year of death. We used Cox proportional hazards models for data analysis. Time to death due to renal diseases over a 25-year period was the outcome, baseline depressive symptoms (11-item Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression [CES-D]) was the predictor, demographic characteristics, socio-economic status and chronic medical conditions (CMC) (hypertension, diabetes, chronic lung disease, heart disease, stroke, cancer, and arthritis) at baseline were controls, and race was the focal moderator. Results: In the pooled sample, race and baseline depressive symptoms showed a significant interaction, suggesting a stronger effect of baseline depressive symptoms on deaths due to renal diseases for Whites compared to Blacks. In race-specific models, high depressive symptoms at baseline increased risk of death due to renal diseases among Whites but not Blacks. Conclusion: The Black-White difference in the predictive role of baseline depressive symptoms on deaths due to renal diseases over a 25-year period found here provides support for the Black-White health paradox.
Lymphocytic esophagitis: A possible manifestation of pediatric upper gastrointestinal Crohn's disease

Background: Lymphocytic esophagitis (LE) is histologically defined by marked esophageal lymphocytosis with no or only rare intraepithelial granulocytes. This study was performed to investigate the association between LE and pediatric Crohn's disease (CD). Methods: Blinded retrospective morphologic analysis was performed on gastrointestinal biopsies from pediatric patients with an established diagnosis of CD (n = 60) and ulcerative colitis (UC; n = 30), as well as a spectrum of non‐inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients (n = 38). The highest density of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL), neutrophils (IEN), and eosinophils (IEE) per high power field (hpf; 40×) were counted. LE was defined as >50 IEL/hpf and a ratio of >50:1 IEL to intraepithelial granulocytes (IEG). Results: LE was identified in 17/60 patients with CD, and only 2/30 patients with UC and 1/38 non‐IBD control patients; P = 0.0263 (CD versus UC) and P = 0.0002 (CD versus non‐CD). In all, 6/60 CD patients had esophagitis with granulomas and three of these met the diagnostic criteria for LE. There was no difference in the incidence of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) symptoms between the CD patients with LE (7/17, 41%) and CD patients with esophagitis with granulomas (3/6; P = 1.0). Conclusions: The histologic diagnosis of LE is associated with pediatric CD and was found in 28% of CD patients. If LE is identified in pediatric CD, it is likely a manifestation of UGI‐CD rather than esophagitis due to other etiologies or a variant of normal. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2011;)
Caregiving for Older Latinos at End of Life

This study examined the various settings in which caregiving occurred for terminally ill older Latinos. Qualitative data were collected in Central Florida through in-depth, semi-structured, open-ended interviews. 20 Latinos caring for terminally ill Latinos participated in the study. N = 9 Latino family (unpaid) caregivers provided care in the terminally ill person's home, while N = 4 provided care to a family member in the caregiver's home. N = 4 paid caregivers provided care to terminally ill Latinos who reside in the caregiver's private home and N = 3 in an assisted-living facility. The themes indicate that family (unpaid) caregivers experienced changes in their financial status; they both encountered English language barriers. Geographical distance made caregiving more challenging. Paid caregivers adapted to cultural expectations and their higher income enabled them to hire assistance.
15-Lipoxygenase-1 in Colorectal Cancer: A Review

Objective: Enzymes involved in the oxidative metabolism of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, like lipoxygenase (LOX) and cyclooxygenase (COX), are significant in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer. Of these enzymes, 15-LOX-1 is expressed in colon. Aim of this article is to describe the role and regulation of 15-LOX-1 in colorectal cancer and highlight its importance in cancer therapeutics. Methods: For our electronic literature research in PubMed and MEDLINE, key words related to 15-LOX-1 and colorectal cancer were used to find articles for this review. Results: From the evidences, we believe that 15-LOX-1 has anti-carcinogenic effects in colorectal cancer, dependent or independent of its metabolites, and is manifested through downstream pathways involving cGMP, PPAR, p53, p21 and NAG-1, increasing apoptosis and decreasing proliferation in cancer cells. Regulation of 15-LOX-1 expression is achieved at transcription level by global histone acetylation and may also be dependent on GATA-6, IL-4 and IL-13. Positive relationship exists between 15-LOX-1 and survival in colorectal cancer. Conclusion: Evidences strongly support that therapeutic modulation of 15-LOX-1 may be a key to the treatment of colorectal cancer. However, it is still undecided whether the up-regulation of 15-LOX-1 alone can be sufficient to treat colorectal cancer and further studies are awaited.
Perceived health moderates the association between smoking rate and panic vulnerability variables among daily smokers

Our aim in this investigation was to evaluate the moderating role of perceived health in the relation between smoking rate and panic variables in a community‐based sample of 220 daily smokers (98 females; Mage=23.76 years, SD=8.76). As hypothesized, the interaction between smoking and perceived health incrementally predicted anxiety sensitivity (fear of anxiety) and anxious arousal symptoms, but not depressive symptoms. Individuals who had higher smoking rates and lower perceived health reported higher levels of anxiety sensitivity and anxious arousal, but not depressive symptoms. The primary implication of these findings is that there may be segments of the cigarette smoking population who are at relatively greater risk for anxiety symptoms and fear of bodily sensations by virtue of individual differences in perceived health. The identification of such moderating effects is clinically important, because it helps to refine our understanding of complex associations between drug behavior and panic vulnerability. Depression and Anxiety 23:257–265, 2006. © Published 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tensile Behaviour and Hardness of Coconut Fibre-Ortho Unsaturated Polyester Composites

This work is aimed at investigating the effect of alkali treatment and fibre load on the tensile properties and hardness of coconut fibre-ortho unsaturated polyester composites. The short length fibres were incorporated into ortho unsaturated polyester resin. The treated and untreated fibre composite samples were subjected to tensile tests according to ASTM D638 using Instron model 3369. The tensile tests include tensile strength, modulus, load at break, tensile strain at break and extension at break. The Micro-hardness test was carried out by forcing a diamond cone indenter into the surface of the hardness specimen to create an indentation. The significant findings of the research showed that alkali treatment improved the tensile properties and hardness of the composite. The tensile properties at 10% fibre load where greatly enhanced while 15% fibre load is best for micro hardness.
A Modified Thermal Time Model Quantifying Germination Response to Temperature for C 3 and C 4 Species in Temperate Grassland

Thermal-based germination models are widely used to predict germination rate and germination timing of plants. However, comparison of model parameters between large numbers of species is rare. In this study, seeds of 27 species including 12 C 4 and 15 C 3 species were germinated at a range of constant temperatures from 5 °C to 40 °C. We used a modified thermal time model to calculate germination parameters at suboptimal temperatures. Generally, the optimal germination temperature was higher for C 4 species than for C 3 species. The thermal time constant for the 50% germination percentile was significantly higher for C 3 than C 4 species. The thermal time constant of perennials was significantly higher than that of annuals. However, differences in base temperatures were not significant between C 3 and C 4 , or annuals and perennial species. The relationship between germination rate and seed mass depended on plant functional type and temperature, while the base temperature and thermal time constant of C 3 and C 4 species exhibited no significant relationship with seed mass. The results illustrate differences in germination characteristics between C 3 and C 4 species. Seed mass does not affect germination parameters, plant life cycle matters, however.
Evaluation of the Increased Use of Partial Resection of Large Vestibular Schwanommas: Facial Nerve Outcomes and Recurrence/Regrowth Rates

Objective To determine whether partial tumor removal in large vestibular schwannoma improves facial nerve outcomes while maintaining a low risk of tumor regrowth/recurrence. Study Design Retrospective chart review and prospective database. Setting Tertiary neurotologic referral center. Patients Four hundred patients with a vestibular schwannoma of 2.5 cm or greater in maximum diameter undergoing translabyrinthine microsurgical resection from 2001 to 2011. There were 325 gross total resections (GTR), 44 near total resections (NTR), and 31 subtotal resections (STR), with an overall mean tumor size of 3.2 cm (standard deviation, 0.7). Intervention(s) Translabyrinthine surgical tumor resection. Main Outcome Measures House-Brackmann (H-B) facial nerve grade postoperatively and at 1 year, tumor regrowth/recurrence (≥2 mm), additional treatment, and complications. Results Higher rates of H-B facial nerve Grades I and II were achieved at both the postoperative and 1-year follow-ups in the NTR (78%, 97%) and STR (71%, 96%) groups compared with GTR (53%, 77%) (p ⩽ 0.001). Eye treatment, medical or surgical, was required more often in GTR (28.0%) than NTR and STR (8% and 21%, respectively, p ⩽ 0.04), with no other differences in complications. The NTR and STR groups had a significantly higher rate of regrowth than GTR resection (21% and 22% versus 3%) (p ⩽ 0.001) at average follow-up times of 3.7, 3.7, and 5.1 years, respectively, and need for further treatment occurred at a higher rate, although infrequently, in NTR and STR (2% and 10% versus 0%) (p ⩽ 0.001). Conclusion Near total and subtotal removal in large tumors are viable treatment options to maintain facial nerve function. During the follow-up period examined in this study, there was a low risk of need for further treatment. Longer-term follow-up is needed to better assess the need for retreatment in patients treated with NTR and STR.