Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vivo structural imaging of the cornea by polarization-resolved second harmonic microscopy

The transparency and mechanical strength of the cornea are related to the highly organized three-dimensional distribution of collagen fibrils. It is of great interest to develop specific and contrasted in vivo imaging tools to probe these collagenous structures, which is not available yet. Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) microscopy is a unique tool to reveal fibrillar collagen within unstained tissues, but backward SHG images of cornea fail to reveal any spatial features due to the nanometric diameter of stromal collagen fibrils. To overcome this limitation, we performed polarization-resolved SHG imaging, which is highly sensitive to the sub-micrometer distribution of anisotropic structures. Using advanced data processing, we successfully retrieved the orientation of the collagenous fibrils at each depth of human corneas, even in backward SHG homogenous images. Quantitative information was also obtained about the submicrometer heterogeneities of the fibrillar collagen distribution by measuring the SHG anisotropy. All these results were consistent with numerical simulation of the polarization-resolved SHG response of cornea. Finally, we performed in vivo SHG imaging of rat corneas and achieved structural imaging of corneal stroma without any labeling. Epi-detected polarization-resolved SHG imaging should extend to other organs and become a new diagnosis tool for collagen remodeling.
Empathic concern and perspective taking: linear and quadratic effects of age across the adult life span.

OBJECTIVE We investigated linear and quadratic effects of age on self-reported empathy in three large cross-sectional samples of American adults aged 18-90 years. METHOD Participants completed subscales of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (Davis, 1983), allowing us to independently assess an emotional component of empathy ("empathic concern") and a cognitive component of empathy ("perspective taking") across the adult life span. RESULTS For both measures and in all three samples, we found evidence for an inverse-U-shaped pattern across age: Middle-aged adults reported higher empathy than both young adults and older adults. We also found a consistent gender difference: Women reported more empathy than men. We did not find systematic differences by ethnicity. However, neither gender nor ethnicity interacted with age effects. DISCUSSION We discuss the inverse-U-shaped age pattern, in terms of aging versus cohort influences, and how it complements and extends the existing literature on empathy and age.
Fracture of brittle solids: Atomic aspects of fracture

Until now we have approached crack propagation from the continuum viewpoint. Nonetheless, repeated allusions have been made in chapters 3 and 5 to the fundamental limitations of any such approach that disregards the atomic structure of solids. There we argued for the incorporation of a lattice-plane range parameter as a critical scaling dimension in the brittle crack description. We noted that the Barenblatt cohesion-zone model avoids reference to the atomic structure by resorting to the Irwin slit description of cracks; yet estimates of the critical crack-opening dimensions using this same model confirm that the intrinsic separation process indeed operates at the atomic level. The Elliot lattice half-space model of sect. 3.3. 2 represents one attempt to incorporate an essential element of discreteness. The phenomenological kinetic models of sect. 5.5, with their presumption of energy barriers, represent another. However, those models are at the very least quasi-continuous. In brittle fracture, as in any thermodynamic process, the final answers must be sought at the atomic or molecular level. On the other hand, while an atomistic approach provides greater physical insight into the crack problem, it inevitably involves greater mathematical complexity. Classically, solids may be represented as manybody assemblages of point masses (atoms) linked by springs (bonds). We will see that the mass–spring representation can lead us to a deeper understanding of brittle cracks. But even this representation is oversimplistic. In some cases, particularly when the crack interacts with environmental species, it is necessary to consider atoms as elastic spheres rather than point masses, to allow properly for molecular size effects.
Telbivudine preserves T‐helper 1 cytokine production and downregulates programmed death ligand 1 in a mouse model of viral hepatitis

Summary. Telbivudine is an orally bioavailable L‐nucleoside with potent and specific anti‐hepatitis B virus activity. The higher rate of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion during telbivudine treatment than other potent anti‐HBV agents suggests a potential immunomodulatory effect. We sought to determine the effects of telbivudine on the immune system, particularly on cytokine production and T‐cell response, using an animal model with mouse hepatitis virus strain 3 (MHV‐3)‐induced hepatitis. The effects of telbivudine on virus replication and cytokine production were investigated in vitro using MHV‐3‐infected macrophages, and the effects on T‐cell response were investigated in vivo in an MHV‐3‐induced viral hepatitis model. Telbivudine had no effect on MHV‐3 replication in macrophages. However, the production of tumour necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐12 was increased significantly in MHV‐3‐induced macrophages treated with telbivudine. In vivo survival was enhanced in telbivudine‐treated mice, with marked normalization in clinical conditions and histological lesions. Serum levels of interferon‐γ were elevated significantly after telbivudine treatment in MHV‐3‐infected C3H mice. In contrast, serum interleukin‐4 levels were decreased significantly. Furthermore, telbivudine treatment enhanced the ability of T cells to undergo proliferation and secrete cytokines but did not affect cytotoxicity of infected hepatocytes. Of note, we found that telbivudine treatment suppressed programmed death ligand 1 expression on T cells. The results demonstrate the immunomodulatory properties of telbivudine, independent of its antiviral activity, in a mouse model of MHV‐3‐induced hepatitis.
Model for thickness measurements of steel plates using half-wave resonances

Previously reported measurement have shown how air-coupled ultrasound transmission measurements can be used to measure the thickness of steel plates, resolving thickness variations down to 0.2 mm. Simple plane wave theory predicts that at normal incidence, the steel plate is excited into compressional resonances when the plate thickness is an integer number of halfwavelengths. No shear waves are excited at normal incidence. The plate investigated previously had thickness 10.15 mm, with half-wave resonances expected at 288.18 kHz and 576.35 kHz. Transmission measurements on this plate showed resonance peaks at 267.33 kHz, 464.63 kHz and 571.98 kHz. The former and latter values deviate by 7% and 0.7%, respectively, from the values predicted by the plane wave model. The peak at 464.6 kHz was assumed to be due to the third harmonic resonance of the shear wave, but this was not confirmed. The aim of this work is to investigate whether this deviation can be explained by using a more realistic model for the plate, including shear waves and the finite extent of the source and receiver. A frequency domain model was developed using the wavenumber integration method. The transducer is modeled as a plane piston in an infinite planar baffle and the sound field is decomposed into plane waves over a range of angles. The stainless steel plate is modeled as an elastic layer, including compressional and shear waves, immersed in a fluid. The impulse response of this system was found by multiplying the plane wave decomposition of the sound field from the transducer with the transmission coefficient for the stainless steel plate and integrate over all angles. The transmitted sound pulse was then found by convolving this impulse response and the transmitted pulse, a chirp covering the frequency range from 200 kHz to 800 kHz Compared to the previously reported experimental results, the developed model was able to explain the deviation of the lowest pressure wave resonance peak from the plane wave theory, and predicted its position within 2%. The existence of the shear wave resonance was confirmed, and the position of the observed peak explained within the accuracy of the shear wave velocity of the steel plate.
Ecological Surveillance for West Nile in Catalonia (Spain), Learning from a Five‐Year Period of Follow‐up

To enhance early detection of West Nile virus (WNV) transmission, an integrated ecological surveillance system was implemented in Catalonia (north‐eastern Spain) from 2007 to 2011. This system incorporated passive and active equine surveillance, periodical testing of chicken sentinels in wetland areas, serosurveillance wild birds and testing of adult mosquitoes. Samples from 298 equines, 100 sentinel chickens, 1086 wild birds and 39 599 mosquitoes were analysed. During these 5 years, no acute WNV infection was detected in humans or domestic animal populations in Catalonia. WNV was not detected in mosquitoes either. Nevertheless, several seroconversions in resident and migrant wild birds indicate that local WNV or other closely related flaviviruses transmission was occurring among bird populations. These data indicate that bird and mosquito surveillance can detect otherwise silent transmission of flaviviruses and give some insights regarding possible avian hosts and vectors in a European setting.
Comparative Demography of Three Hawaiian Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) at Alternating Temperatures

Abstract Reproductive and population parameters of melon flies, Bactrocera cucurbitae Coquillett, oriental fruit flies, B. dorsalis Hendel, and Mediterranean fruit flies, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), were measured in environmental chambers maintained at temperatures of (maximum:minimum) 24:13, 24:24, 29:18, and 35:24 ± 1°C. Alternating temperature regimes more realistically approached the variation found in nature and produced higher parameters than an optimal constant temperature (24°C). Intra- and interspecific comparisons were done with 4 separate generations of wild fruit flies reared on a common natural host. All species attained their highest intrinsic rates of population increase at 29:18 or 35:24°C; C. capitata exhibited the highest intrinsic rates of increase at all temperature regimes. All species attained maximum net reproductive rates at 29:18°C, in the order C. capitata > B. dorsalis > B. cucurbitae. The 35:24°C regime caused reductions in net reproductive rates of all species, with B. dorsalis affected most strongly. Male longevity was greater than that of females for all species in all temperature regimes. Two distinctly different life history patterns were evident: (1) early reproduction, short life span, and a high intrinsic rate of increase (C. capitata), and (2) later onset of reproduction, longer life span, and a lower intrinsic rate of increase (B. cucurbitae).
Homogenization of a reaction-diffusion system modeling sulfate corrosion in locally-periodic perforated domains

We discuss a reaction–diffusion system modeling concrete corrosion in sewer pipes. The system is coupled, semi-linear, and partially dissipative. It is defined on a locally-periodic perforated domain with nonlinear Robin-type boundary conditions at water-air and solid-water interfaces. We apply asymptotic homogenization techniques to obtain upscaled reaction–diffusion models together with explicit formulae for the effective transport and reaction coefficients. We show that the averaged system contains additional terms appearing due to the deviation of the assumed geometry from a purely periodic distribution of perforations for two relevant parameter regimes: (1) all diffusion coefficients are of order of O(1) and (2) all diffusion coefficients are of order of O("2) except the one for H2S(g) which is of order of O(1). In case (1), we obtain a set of macroscopic equations, while in case (2) we are led to a two-scale model that captures the interplay between microstructural reaction effects and the macroscopic transport.
P-glycoprotein reduces the ability of amitriptyline metabolites to cross the blood brain barrier in mice after a 10-day administration of amitriptyline

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is a 170-kDa membrane protein and the gene product of the multiple drug resistance (MDR1 or ABCB1) gene. It constitutes an important part of the blood–brain barrier and actively exports a number of molecules across the blood–brain barrier back into the vascular space, subsequently reducing central nervous system (CNS) bioavailability of these substances. The aim of the present study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics of amitriptyline and its metabolites in P-gp (also called mdr1ab or abcb1ab) knockout mice and controls after a long-term adminstration for 10 days. Knockout mice and controls received s.c. injections of amitriptyline (10 µg/g bodyweight) twice daily for 10 days. After 10 days, the animals were sacrificed and the concentrations of amitriptyline and nortriptyline and both their E-10-OH and Z-10-OH metabolites were measured with high-performance liquid chromatography in the cerebrum, plasma, spleen, kidney, testes, lung, liver, muscle and fat. Except for amitriptyline, the brain concentrations of all other examined substances were significantly higher in the P-gp knockout mice. Compared to controls, concentrations of nortriptyline were 2.6-fold higher, E-10-OH-nortriptyline 10-fold higher, Z-10-OH-nortriptyline seven-fold higher, E-10-OH-amitriptyline two-fold higher and Z-10-OH-amitriptyline five-fold higher. The present study confirms that P-gp plays an important role in the interaction between CNS drugs and the blood–brain barrier. Without P-gp at the blood–brain barrier, the brain concentrations of the substances were up to 10-fold higher, showing that P-gp plays an active role in exporting CNS drugs out of the brain. Recent clinical studies showing different side-effects in patients with P-gp polymorphisms confirm the clinical importance of these findings.
Assessment of the association between dentate status and self-rated general health

Abstract Objective Aiming at preparing the basis for evidence-based dental public health policy making in Slovenia, the objective of the study was to assess the strength of association between oral health status measured by the number of missing teeth and self-rated health (SRH). Methods The study was designed as a pooled individual-level data study from four national cross-sectional studies carried out in the period 2001-2012, based on CINDI Health Monitor methodology. Altogether, 34,412 participants were included. A logistic regression model with poor SRH as observed outcome and the number of teeth as explanatory factor (adjusted for selected biologic, socio-economic and health factors) was proposed. Results In the sample, women represented 55.7% and men 44.3%, median age was 45 years. Persons with more missing teeth more likely rated their health as poor. The association was persistent even when different confounding variables were included in the model. In the group with 1-5 missing teeth, in comparison to the group with none missing teeth, OR was 1.23 (p=0.049), whereas for the group with 6-10 missing teeth, OR was 1.32 (p=0.019); for the group with >10 missing teeth, but not all, OR was 1.77 (p<0.001), and for the group with all missing teeth, OR was 2.19 (p<0.001). Conclusions Study results showed clear association of SRH with dentate status, which confirms the oral-general health connection. This indicates the need for the development of proper dental public health policies for better oral health, and presents a new view on the importance of preserving teeth.
A 4-year trial of tiotropium in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND Previous studies showing that tiotropium improves multiple end points in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) led us to examine the long-term effects of tiotropium therapy. METHODS In this randomized, double-blind trial, we compared 4 years of therapy with either tiotropium or placebo in patients with COPD who were permitted to use all respiratory medications except inhaled anticholinergic drugs. The patients were at least 40 years of age, with a forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) of 70% or less after bronchodilation and a ratio of FEV(1) to forced vital capacity (FVC) of 70% or less. Coprimary end points were the rate of decline in the mean FEV(1) before and after bronchodilation beginning on day 30. Secondary end points included measures of FVC, changes in response on St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), exacerbations of COPD, and mortality. RESULTS Of a total of 5993 patients (mean age, 65+/-8 years) with a mean FEV(1) of 1.32+/-0.44 liters after bronchodilation (48% of predicted value), we randomly assigned 2987 to the tiotropium group and 3006 to the placebo group. Mean absolute improvements in FEV(1) in the tiotropium group were maintained throughout the trial (ranging from 87 to 103 ml before bronchodilation and from 47 to 65 ml after bronchodilation), as compared with the placebo group (P<0.001). After day 30, the differences between the two groups in the rate of decline in the mean FEV(1) before and after bronchodilation were not significant. The mean absolute total score on the SGRQ was improved (lower) in the tiotropium group, as compared with the placebo group, at each time point throughout the 4-year period (ranging from 2.3 to 3.3 units, P<0.001). At 4 years and 30 days, tiotropium was associated with a reduction in the risks of exacerbations, related hospitalizations, and respiratory failure. CONCLUSIONS In patients with COPD, therapy with tiotropium was associated with improvements in lung function, quality of life, and exacerbations during a 4-year period but did not significantly reduce the rate of decline in FEV(1). (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00144339.)
Behaviour of high-strength concrete corner columns intersected by weaker slabs with different thicknesses

This paper reports the findings of a research project undertaken at the University of Melbourne (Australia) to study the failure mechanism of sandwich columns consisting of high strength concrete (HSC) column portions and a normal strength concrete (NSC) slab under axial compressive loading. The aims were to study the effects of h/c aspect ratio and column rectangularity on effective compressive strength of a sandwich HSC column-NSC slab joint and develop a theoretical model to predict the failure of corner column-slab joints with h/c ratios greater than 0.25.
Development of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies and an ELISA for the determination of glycodelin in human serum, amniotic fluid and cystic fluid of benign and malignant ovarian tumors.

OBJECTIVE The role of glycodelin in human reproduction and gynecological malignancies has been investigated in a large number of studies in recent years. Three dominant functions of this glycoprotein were identified. Glycodelin is immunosuppressive, a morphological marker of differentiation and a contraceptive. Glycodelin is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 28 kDa and a carbohydrate content of 17.5%. Unusual LacdiNAc structures were identified on glycodelin A, isolated from amniotic fluid. Because no kit for glycodelin quantification is commercially available, we developed all reagents and a functional ELISA. MATERIALS AND METHODS Glycodelin A was purified from amniotic fluid by chromatographic methods. The purity of the isolated protein was checked with SDS-PAGE. Polyclonal antibodies against glycodelin were generated in rabbits. Monoclonal antibodies against glycodelin were generated from immunized BALB/c mice. Positive hybridomas were cloned and cultured. Monoclonal antibodies were isolated by immunoadsorption chromatography from culture supernatants. The glycodelin ELISA was developed in two formats, namely coating with polyclonal antibodies and the use of monoclonal antibodies. RESULTS The factors of variance for the ELISA were 7% (intraassay variance) and 15% (inter-assay variance). The glycodelin ELISA was used to determine the glycodelin A concentration in sera of fertile women during the proliferative and secretory phases of the endometrium. The glycodelin A concentration was insignificantly elevated in the secretory phase compared to the proliferative phase. Significantly higher levels of glycodelin A were found in women using oral contraceptives compared to women who were not (p<0.001). This is probably due to progesterone, which stimulates glycodelin production. We also found significantly increased glycodelin concentrations in the fluids of malignant ovarian cysts compared to benign ovarian tumors (p<0.001). Furthermore, we tested the monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies successfully in Western blot analysis and immunoadsorption chromatography. CONCLUSION We consider the described ELISA for the quantification of glycodelin as a useful tool for the determination of glycodelin in amniotic fluid, serum and cystic fluids. Its most promising application is expected in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. The antibodies generated are applicable to multiple techniques.
Overview of Research for Prediction of Aerodynamic Heating Environment during a Super-Orbital Reentry Flight of MUSES-C Reentry Capsule

The aerodynamic heating environment with ablation injection and the mass loss rate of the ablator under the superorbital re-entry condition of the MUSES-C sample return capsule are numerically studied by solving the viscous shockIayer (VSL) equations with the nonequilibrium chemistry of both the air and the ablation gas. The boundary conditions at the ablator surface are formulated by considering the surface oxidation and surface sublimation. Computational results on the variation of the surface mass loss rate with the wall temperature demonstrate that the diffusion-controlled regime and the sublimation regime are successfully described by the present model. The time history of the wall temperature at the stagnation point is estimated along the re-entry trajectory by assuming the energy balance at the surface. The streamwise distributions of the convective heating rate and the surface mass loss rate over the forebody of the capsule are calculated at the peak heating flight condition and their characteristics are clarifled. The effects of the pyrolysis gas of hydrocarbon species on the convective heating rate are investigated. The possibility of wall heating augmentation due to the turbulence induced by the ablation injection is also discussed.
Clinical effects of hyperglycemia in the cardiac surgery population: the Portland Diabetic Project.

OBJECTIVE To determine the outcome effects of hyperglycemia, and its pharmacologic reduction with continuous intravenous insulin infusions (CII) in the cardiac surgery patient population. METHODS The Portland Diabetic Project is a prospective, non-randomized, observational study of 5,510 consecutive diabetic cardiac surgery patients treated between January 1987 and November 2005. RESULTS This study was the first to reveal that hyperglycemia in the first 3 postoperative days is independently predictive of mortality (P<0.0001), deep sternal wound infection (P= 0.0001), and increased length of stay (P<0.002) in diabetic cardiac surgery patients. Conversely, CII, designed to achieve predetermined target glucose levels, was shown to independently reduce the risks of death and deep sternal wound infection by 60% and 77%, respectively (P<0.001 for both). Target glucose levels <150 mg/dL and a 3-day postoperative duration of CII therapy are both important variables that determine the impact of the CII therapy on improved outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Perioperative hyperglycemia in cardiac surgery patients adversely alters mortality, length of stay, and infection rates. Three days of CII eliminates the incrementally increased risks of these complications previously seen in diabetic patients.