Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Torsional fatigue behaviour and damage mechanisms in the very high cycle regime

Purpose: of this paper: Many engineering components operate under combined torsion and axial cyclic loading conditions, which can result in fatigue fracture after a very long life regime of fatigue. This fatigue regime were carried out beyond 109 loading cycles called very high cycle fatigue (VHCF) to understand the fatigue properties and damage mechanisms of materials. Design/methodology/approach: Torsional fatigue tests were conducted using a 20 kHz frequency ultrasonic fatigue testing device. The results obtained were compared to those of the conventional torsional fatigue test machine operated at 35 Hz to observe any discrepancy in results due to frequency effects between two experiments. Findings: All the fatigue tests were done up to 1010 cycles at room temperature. Damage mechanisms in torsional fatigues such as crack initiation and propagation in different modes were studied by imaging the samples in a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The results of the two kinds of material show that the stress vs. number of cycle curves (S-N curves) display a considerable decrease in fatigue strength beyond 10 7 cycles. Research limitations/implications: Each test, the strain of specimen in the gage length must be calibrated with a strain gage bonded to the gage section. This is a critical point of this study. The results are very sensitive to the calibration system. Control of the displacement and the output of the power supply are made continuously by computer and recorded the magnitude of the strain in the specimen. Practical implications: torsional fatigue tests has been investigated in the very high cycle fatigue (VHCF) range for two kinds of alloys used very largely in automotive engine components. Based on the test results and analyses presented in this paper, practical applications are being actually carried out in the automotive industry essentially in France. Originality/value: Ultrasonic fatigue damage (VHCF >10 9 ) in VHCF is originally different from classical fatigue (up to 106) by typical internal fish eye formation. Additionally, fatigue crack of all the fractured specimens for the 2-AS5U3G-Y35 specimens initiated at the surface of the specimens. Fatigue fracture surfaces of AISI52100 steel specimens show a typical “scorpion-shaped” formation, which was considerably different from the fatigue fracture specimen subjected to axial cyclic loading, which exhibited the “fish-eye” formation.
TGF-&bgr;1 Release from Biodegradable Polymer Microparticles: Its Effects on Marrow Stromal Osteoblast Function

Background: Controlled release of transforming growth factor-&betabeta;1 (TGF-&betabeta;1) to a bone defect may be beneficial for the induction of a bone regeneration cascade. The objectives of this work were to assess the feasibility of using biodegradable polymer microparticles as carriers for controlled TGF-&betabeta;1 delivery and the effects of released TGF-&betabeta;1 on the proliferation and differentiation of marrow stromal cells in vitro. Methods: Recombinant human TGF-&betabeta;1 was incorporated into microparticles of blends of poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). Fluorescein isothiocynate-labeled bovine serum albumin (FITC-BSA) was co-encapsulated as a porogen. The effects of PEG content (0, 1, or 5% by weight [wt%]) and buffer pH (3, 5, or 7.4) on the protein release kinetics and the degradation of PLGA were determined in vitro for as long as 28 days. Rat marrow stromal cells were seeded on a biodegradable poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF) substrate. The dose response and biological activity of released TGF-&betabeta;1 was determined after 3 days in culture. The effects of TGF-&betabeta;1 released from PLGA/PEG microparticles on marrow stromal cell proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation were assessed during a 21-day period. Results: TGF-&betabeta;1 was encapsulated along with FITC-BSA into PLGA/PEG blend microparticles and released in a multiphasic fashion including an initial burst for as long as 28 days in vitro. Increasing the initial PEG content resulted in a decreased cumulative mass of released proteins. Aggregation of FITC-BSA occurred at lower buffer pH, which led to decreased release rates of both proteins. The degradation of PLGA was increased at higher PEG content and significantly accelerated at acidic pH conditions. Rat marrow stromal cells cultured on PPF substrates showed a dose response to TGF-&betabeta;1 released from the microparticles similar to that of added TGF-&betabeta;1, indicating that the activity of TGF-&betabeta;1 was retained during microparticle fabrication and after growth factor release. At an optimal TGF-&betabeta;1 dosage of 1.0 ng/ml after 3 days, the released TGF-&betabeta;1 enhanced the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of marrow stromal cells over 21 days of culture, with increased total cell number, alkaline phosphatase activity, and osteocalcin production. Conclusions: PLGA/PEG blend microparticles can serve as delivery vehicles for controlled release of TGF-&betabeta;1, and the released growth factor enhances marrow stromal cell proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation in vitro. Clinical Relevance: Controlled release of TGF-&betabeta;1 from PLGA/PEG microparticles is representative of emerging tissue engineering technologies that may modulate cellular responses to encourage bone regeneration at a skeletal defect site.
In vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of Ganoderma lucidum extracts grown in Turkey.

Aim:To determine antimicrobial and antioxidative effects of Ganoderma lucidum. Place and Duration of Study:Erciyes University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology research laboratory,Kayseri, Turkey, between January to . March, 2013. Methodology:Antimicrobial inhibitory effects were carried out on the extracts using disc diffusion method. Antioxidant activities of the ethanolic and methanolic extracts from G.lucidum were evaluated by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] radical scavenging, metal chelating, total flavonoid and total antioxidant activity assays. In addition, the amounts of phenolic compound, β-carotene, and lycopene components in the extracts were determined. Results: The antimicrobial effects of ethanolic and methanolic extracts of G.lucidum were tested against one species of Gram positive bacteria, two species of Gram-negative bacteria and two yeast.The highest inhibitory activity was determined against C.glabrata RSKK 04019 [25± 1 mm, inhibition zone diameter]. On the other hand, the lowest inhibitory activity was determined against C.albicans ATCC 90028 and B.subtilis RSKK 244 [10 ±1 and 10 ± 0 mm, inhibition zone diameter]. DPPH radical scavenging effect was detected in the methanol extract [IC50 = 3.82 ± 0.04 μg/mL] was higher than the ethanol extracts [IC50 = 7.03 ± 0.07 μg/mL]. Compared to reference antioxidant, the methanol and ethanol extracts of G.lucidum provided a lower IC50 than butylated hydoxyanisole [BHA][IC50 = 0.30 ± 0.01 μg/mL]. Phenolic compounds wre the major antioxidant component found in the mushroom extracts. Conclusion:These results showed that G. lucidum may be used in pharmaceutical applications because of its effective antioxidant properties.
Braided fibre reinforced composite rods for concrete reinforcement

This paper describes the work that is being done at the University of Minho concerning the development of braided rods for concrete reinforcement. A preliminary research study has been conducted to understand the mechanical behaviour of braided fabrics. Various samples have been produced varying the type of fiber (glass, polyester and aramid), the type of braided fabric (simple, hybrid and core reinforced) and in the latter case, the number of core reinforcing yarns. The tensile properties of these samples have been evaluated and the results presented. The influence of each factor on the tensile properties of braided fabrics has also been analysed and discussed. In order to produce braided reinforced composite rods to use as a concrete reinforcement, a special technique has been developed using a standard vertical braiding machine. The braided reinforced composite materials have been produced in a ribbed structure to improve adhesion between them and the concrete. Special samples have been prepared and tested to evaluate the adherence between both materials involved. The tensile and bending properties of braided reinforced composite rods have been evaluated and the results obtained presented and discussed.
Strategy modulates spatial perspective-taking: evidence for dissociable disembodied and embodied routes

Previous research provides evidence for a dissociable embodied route to spatial perspective-taking that is under strategic control. The present experiment investigated further the influence of strategy on spatial perspective-taking by assessing whether participants may also elect to employ a separable “disembodied” route loading on inhibitory control mechanisms. Participants (N = 92) undertook both the “own body transformation” (OBT) perspective-taking task, requiring speeded spatial judgments made from the perspective of an observed figure, and a control task measuring ability to inhibit spatially compatible responses in the absence of a figure. Perspective-taking performance was found to be related to performance on the response inhibition control task, in that participants who tended to take longer to adopt a new perspective also tended to show a greater elevation in response times when inhibiting spatially compatible responses. This relationship was restricted to those participants reporting that they adopted the perspective of another by reversing left and right whenever confronted with a front-view figure; it was absent in those participants who reported perspective-taking by mentally transforming their spatial orientation to align with that of the figure. Combined with previously published results, these findings complete a double dissociation between embodied and disembodied routes to spatial perspective-taking, implying that spatial perspective-taking is subject to modulation by strategy, and suggesting that embodied routes to perspective-taking may place minimal demands on domain general executive functions.
Accuracy Assessment of LiDAR-Derived Digital Elevation Models Based on Approximation Theory

The cumulative error at a point in a LiDAR-derived DEM consists of three components: propagated LiDAR-sensor error, propagated ground error, and interpolation error. To combine these error components so as to assess the vertical accuracy of a LiDAR-derived DEM, statistical methods based on the error propagation theory are often used. Due to the existence of systematic error, statistical methods are only effective if a large number of checkpoints are available, which may not be affordable in many practical applications. This paper presents approximation theory as an alternative methodology that departs from error propagation theory in fundamental ways. Using approximation theory, an error bound of the cumulative error at any point in the study site can be obtained, thus informing users conservatively of the spatial variation of DEM accuracy and pointing out the weakly determined areas. The new method is illustrated from DEM users’ perspective by assessing whether a publicly available LiDAR-derived DEM meets FEMA’s accuracy standard for flood risk mapping. The paper calls for a change in the existing methods of assessing and reporting the errors in a LiDAR-derived DEM, in particular those introduced during the ground filtering process.
Impact of occupational stress and other psychosocial factors on musculoskeletal pain among Chinese offshore oil installation workers

Aims: To explore the relation between psychosocial factors and musculoskeletal pain in Chinese offshore oil installation workers. Methods: Half of all offshore workers (being a representative sample) in a Chinese oil company were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire providing information on sociodemographic characteristics, occupational stressors, type A behaviour, social support, coping style, health related behaviour, past injuries, and musculoskeletal pain. Factor analysis was used to identify the sources of occupational stress and the domains of type A behaviour and coping style. Logistic regression analyses were used to study the relations between psychosocial factors and musculoskeletal pain in each body region. Results: The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain over the previous 12 months varied between 7.5% for elbow pain and 32% for low back pain; 56% workers had at least one complaint. Significant associations were found between various psychosocial factors and musculoskeletal pain in different body regions after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Occupational stressors, in particular stress from safety, physical environment, and ergonomics, were important predictors of musculoskeletal pain, as was coping by eating behaviour. Conclusions: These observations supported the widely accepted biopsychosocial model of musculoskeletal disorders and suggested that in future studies of work related musculoskeletal disorders, psychosocial factors must be given due consideration.
An Improved Heat Equation to Model Ductile-to-Brittle Failure Mode Transition at High Strain Rates Using Fully Coupled Thermal-Structural Finite Element Analysis

In this paper a universal heat equation for fully coupled thermal structural finite element analysis of deformable solids capable of predicting ductile-to-brittle failure mode transition at high strain rates is presented. In the problem mathematical formulation appropriate strain measures describing the onset and the growth of ductile and total damage and heat generation rate per unit volume to model dissipation-induced heating have been employed, which were extended with the heat equation. The model was implemented into a finite element code utilizing an improved weak form for updated Lagrangian formulation, an extended NoIHKH material model for cyclic plasticity of metals applicable in wide range of strain rates and the Jaumann rate in the form of the Green-Naghdi rate in the co-rotational Cauchy’s stress objective integration. The model verification showed excellent agreement with the modelled experiment at low strain rates. Plastic bending of a cantilever has been studied at higher strain rates. A few selected analysis results are presented and briefly discussed.
The Effect of Varying Diagnostic Terminology Within Patient Discharge Information on Expected Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Outcome

This study aimed to determine if systematic variation of the diagnostic terminology embedded within written discharge information (i.e., concussion or mild traumatic brain injury, mTBI) would produce different expected symptoms and illness perceptions. We hypothesized that compared to concussion advice, mTBI advice would be associated with worse outcomes. Sixty-two volunteers with no history of brain injury or neurological disease were randomly allocated to one of two conditions in which they read a mTBI vignette followed by information that varied only by use of the embedded terms concussion (n = 28) or mTBI (n = 34). Both groups reported illness perceptions (timeline and consequences subscale of the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised) and expected Postconcussion Syndrome (PCS) symptoms 6 months post injury (Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory, NSI). Statistically significant group differences due to terminology were found on selected NSI scores (i.e., total, cognitive and sensory symptom cluster scores (concussion > mTBI)), but there was no effect of terminology on illness perception. When embedded in discharge advice, diagnostic terminology affects some but not all expected outcomes. Given that such expectations are a known contributor to poor mTBI outcome, clinicians should consider the potential impact of varied terminology on their patients.
Reproducibility of Noninvasive Ultrasonic Measurement of Carotid Atherosclerosis: The Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Plaque Study

Background and Purpose To determine the effect of a lipid-lowering agent and/or a low-dose antithrombotic agent on the progression of early-stage carotid atherosclerosis, noninvasive B-mode ultrasound was used to measure intimal-medial thickness in asymptomatic individuals with moderately elevated lipids as part of the ongoing multicenter Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Plaque Study. Methods Uniform ultrasonic scanning and reading protocols were implemented to obtain maximum intimal-medial thickness measurements in 12 standard segments in patients having a small to moderate wall thickness (1.5-3.5 mm) in at least one of the carotid arteries. Paired B-mode image recordings on 858 patients, performed 1 month apart and read at a core laboratory (each pair by the same reader), determined both within-sonographer (W, n=405) and between-sonographer (B, n=453) reproducibility. Results The primary end point (mean±SD), denned in each individual as the mean value of the 12 maximum intimal-medial thickness measurements, was 1.31±0.21 mm (W) and 1.32±0.22 (B) at the time of the second examination. The mean difference in the primary end point (exam 2-exam 1) was −0.01±0.13 mm (W) and 0.00±0.15 mm (B). The Pearson correlation coefficients were 0.79 (W) and 0.75 (B). In 90% of the patients, the absolute difference in the primary end point was <0.22 mm (W) and <0.24 mm (B). Variability of the secondary end point, denned as the single largest intimal-medial thickness measurement in a patient, was between three and four times larger than the variability for the primary end point. Differences in sonographer performance between clinical centers were very small. Conclusions The results demonstrate that standardized noninvasive ultrasonic techniques yield highly reproducible measures of carotid intimal-medial thickness, which can serve as a measure of carotid atherosclerosis in clinical trials that monitor small rates of lesion progression.
Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation

MCDG1 Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation: Sequencing Panel 81404 (x1), 81405 (x1), 81406 (x1) DCDG1 Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation: Deletion/Duplication Panel 81228 (x1), 81479 (x1) EXOME Medical EmExome: Exome Sequencing, Proband Only 81415 (x1) EXOMT Medical EmExome: Exome Sequencing, Family Trios 81415 (x1), 81416 (x1) Why Choose EGL? • EGL offers the most comprehensive CDG testing and is the only lab offering both N-glycan structural and O-glycan analyses • Oligosaccharides analyzed by a more specific methodology than others
Variation of Soil Respiration from Different Land Uses in Subtropical Agricultural Soils, Central China

In order to better understand the limiting factors and substrate affecting soil CO2 flux, we measured total organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, microbial biomass nitrogen, dissolved organic carbon, and dissolved organic nitrogen from seven sites of four land use types of subtropical agriculture soils. Objectives were to (1) evaluate the relationship of MBC, MBN, DOC, and DON with soil CO2 flux, in addition to the relationship obtained by usually used environmental variables (soil temperature and moisture), and (2) investigate the seasonal and annual CO2 fluxes from different land uses. Annual CO2 fluxes ranged from 5.4 to 9.5 Mg CO2 ha-1 yr-1. Vegetable field had the highest CO2 emission, while pine forest had significantly lower CO2 emission than cultivated land uses. Different quantities of MBC, MBN and DOC significantly regulated the CO2 emission among different land uses. Our results indicate that microbial biomass and dissolve organic substances must be considered in a warming future as these can explain a major part of temporal variation of soil CO2 fluxes.
Age-dependency in bone mass and geometry: a pQCT study on male and female master sprinters, middle and long distance runners, race-walkers and sedentary people.

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether athletic participation allows master athletes to preserve their good bone health into old age. METHODS Bone strength indicators of the tibia and the radius were obtained of master runners and race-walkers (n=300) competing at World and European Master Championships and of 75 sedentary controls, all aged 33-94 yrs. RESULTS In the tibia, diaphyseal cortical area (Ar.Ct), polar moment of resistance (RPol) and trabecular bone mineral density (vBMD) were generally greater in athletes than controls at all ages. In the athletes, but not the controls, Ar.Ct, RPol (females) and trabecular vBMD were negatively correlated with age (p<0.01). Radius measures were comparable between athlete and control groups at all ages. The amalgamated data revealed negative correlations of age with Ar.Ct, RPol (females), cortical vBMD and trabecular vBMD (males; p<0.005) and positive correlations with endocortical circumference (p<0.001). CONCLUSION This cross-sectional study found age-related differences in tibial bone strength indicators of master athletes, but not sedentary controls, thus, groups becoming more similar with advancing age. Age-related differences were noticeable in the radius too, without any obvious group difference. Results are compatible with the notion that bones adapt to exercise-specific forces throughout the human lifespan.
Evidence of evolutionary selection for cotranslational folding

Significance The mechanisms that affect protein production are crucially important but incompletely understood. In particular, the speed at which a polypeptide chain is synthesized can affect whether it folds to its native state. We propose that the optimal rate of translation depends on the sequence of stable conformations that are sampled by a nascent chain as it is being synthesized. Using optimal and rare synonymous codons as a proxy for translation speed, we find that transient pauses in synthesis are associated with specific intermediate conformations that appear during cotranslational folding and that this behavior is conserved across hundreds of genes and multiple prokaryotic genomes. These results provide striking evidence of evolutionary selection for efficient protein folding in vivo. Recent experiments and simulations have demonstrated that proteins can fold on the ribosome. However, the extent and generality of fitness effects resulting from cotranslational folding remain open questions. Here we report a genome-wide analysis that uncovers evidence of evolutionary selection for cotranslational folding. We describe a robust statistical approach to identify loci within genes that are both significantly enriched in slowly translated codons and evolutionarily conserved. Surprisingly, we find that domain boundaries can explain only a small fraction of these conserved loci. Instead, we propose that regions enriched in slowly translated codons are associated with cotranslational folding intermediates, which may be smaller than a single domain. We show that the intermediates predicted by a native-centric model of cotranslational folding account for the majority of these loci across more than 500 Escherichia coli proteins. By making a direct connection to protein folding, this analysis provides strong evidence that many synonymous substitutions have been selected to optimize translation rates at specific locations within genes. More generally, our results indicate that kinetics, and not just thermodynamics, can significantly alter the efficiency of self-assembly in a biological context.