Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Future Time Perspective Impacts Gain-Related but Not Loss-Related Intertemporal Choice

Future time perspective (FTP) modulates individuals’ temporal orientation in selecting their motivations and goals, which widely influences their cognitions and behaviors. However, it remains unclear how FTP exactly affects intertemporal choice. To clarify the effect of FTP on intertemporal choice, 90 college students (Mage = 21.70, SD = 1.23) were randomly assigned to the limited FTP condition (16 males, 29 females) and the open-ended FTP condition (17 males, 28 females). In the limited FTP condition, participants were instructed to imagine their states of being 70 years old, whereas in the open-ended FTP condition, they were instructed to describe their current states. All participants then completed a series of intertemporal choice tasks, in which they chose from gain- and loss-related choices occurring at various time points. Results showed that the participants who received the future-imagining manipulation had more limited FTP compared with those who did not receive the manipulation, which confirmed the validity of the FTP manipulation. A 2 (FTP: limited vs. open-ended) × 2 (type of choice: gain vs. loss) repeated measures ANOVA on discount rate revealed a significant interaction between these two factors. The participants in the limited FTP condition had higher discount rates on gain-related choices but showed no difference on loss-related choices compared with the participants under the open-ended FTP condition. The results suggest that limited FTP could lower individuals’ future orientation (i.e., willingness to delay an outcome) on gain-related, but not on loss-related, intertemporal decision-making.
Cyclodextrin Enhances Corneal Tolerability and Reduces Ocular Toxicity Caused by Diclofenac

With advances in refractive surgery and demand for cataract removal and lens replacement, the ocular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has increased. One of the most commonly used NSAIDs is diclofenac (Diclo). In this study, cyclodextrins (CDs), α-, β-, γ-, and HP-β-CDs, were investigated with in vitro irritation and in vivo ulceration models in rabbits to reduce Diclo toxicity. Diclo-, α-, β-, γ-, and HP-β-CD inclusion complexes were prepared and characterized and Diclo-CD complexes were evaluated for corneal permeation, red blood cell (RBCs) haemolysis, corneal opacity/permeability, and toxicity. Guest- (Diclo-) host (CD) solid inclusion complexes were formed only with β-, γ-, and HP-β-CDs. Amphipathic properties for Diclo were recorded and this surfactant-like functionality might contribute to the unwanted effects of Diclo on the surface of the eye. Contact angle and spreading coefficients were used to assess Diclo-CDs in solution. Reduction of ocular toxicity 3-fold to16-fold and comparable corneal permeability to free Diclo were recorded only with Diclo-γ-CD and Diclo-HP-β-CD complexes. These two complexes showed faster healing rates without scar formation compared with exposure to the Diclo solution and to untreated groups. This study also highlighted that Diclo-γ-CD and Diclo-HP-β-CD demonstrated fast healing without scar formation.
Relevance of a molecular tumour board (MTB) for patients’ enrolment in clinical trials: experience of the Institut Curie

Background High throughput molecular screening techniques allow the identification of multiple molecular alterations, some of which are actionable and can be targeted by molecularly targeted agents (MTA). We aimed at evaluating the relevance of using this approach in the frame of Institut Curie Molecular Tumor Board (MTB) to guide patients with cancer to clinical trials with MTAs. Patients and methods We included all patients presented at Institut Curie MTB from 4 October 2014 to 31 October 2017. The following information was extracted from the chart: decision to perform tumour profiling, types of molecular analyses, samples used, molecular alterations identified and those which are actionable, and inclusion in a clinical trial with matched MTA. Results 736 patients were presented at the MTB. Molecular analyses were performed in 442 patients (60%). Techniques used included next-generation sequencing, comparative genomic hybridisation array and/or other techniques including immunohistochemistry in 78%, 51% and 58% of patients, respectively. Analyses were performed on a fresh frozen biopsy in 91 patients (21%), on archival tissue (fixed or frozen) in 326 patients (74%) and on both archival and fresh frozen biopsy in 25 patients (6%). At least one molecular alteration was identified in 280 analysed patients (63%). An actionable molecular alteration was identified in 207 analysed patients (47%). Forty-five analysed patients (10%) were enrolled in a clinical trial with matched MTA and 29 additional patients were oriented and included in a clinical trial based on a molecular alteration identified prior to the MTB analysis. Median time between date of specimen reception and molecular results was 28 days (range: 5–168). Conclusions The implementation of an MTB at Institut Curie enabled the inclusion of 10% of patients into a clinical trial with matched therapy.
Is arterial stiffening associated with adiposity, severity of obesity and other contemporary cardiometabolic markers in a community sample of adolescents with obesity in the UK?

Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) prediction is problematic within groups of obese adolescents as measures such as adiposity and metabolic markers lack validation. Pulse wave velocity (PWV), a proxy for arterial stiffening, is a potential way to contemporaneously capture adolescents at greater risk of CVD. Objectives To investigate associations between PWV and 1) adiposity and 2) other conventional metabolic factors in a community sample of (>95th centile body mass index (BMI)). Design and setting Cross-sectional measurement and analysis in a hospital-based research centre drawn from a community sample of adolescents recruited to an obesity intervention at baseline. Patients 174 adolescents (12-19 years) with obesity (>95th centile BMI). 37% were male, while 66 (38%) were white, 53 (30%) black, 36 (21%) South Asian, 19 (11%) mixed/other. Participants with endocrine, genetic causes of obesity and chronic medical conditions (excluding asthma) were excluded. Measures BMI z-score (zBMI), waist z-score, fat mass index (FMI: measured using bioimpedance), sagittal abdominal dimension (SAD), cardiometabolic blood tests and resting blood pressure (BP) were collected. Carotid-radial PWV was measured by a single operator. Results PWV was associated with age but not pubertal stage. PWV was positively associated with adiposity (zBMI: coefficient 0.44 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.79); FMI: coefficient 0.05 (95% CI 0.00 to 0.10); waist z-score: coefficient 0.27 (95% CI 0.00 to 0.53); SAD: coefficient 0.06 (95% CI: 0.00 to 0.12)). There was no association between PWV and BP, and few associations with cardiometabolic bloods. Associations between PWV and adiposity measures were robust to adjustment in multivariable models except for SAD. Participants with zBMI >2.5 SD and >3.5 SD had greater average PWV but overlap between groups was large. Conclusions In our sample, increasing adiposity was positively associated with arterial stiffness, however partitioning by severity was not reliable. Lack of associations between BP, cardiometabolic bloods and arterial stiffness questions the reliability of these factors for predicting CVD risk in adolescents with obesity.
Development of a New Hot-Cracking Test—The Sigmajig Using a preapplied transverse stress, hot-cracking susceptibility was quantified on thin sheets of stainless steel

BY C. M. GOODWIN ABSTRACT. The development of a new hot-cracking test and its application to 12 heats of austenitic stainless steel are described. The test involves application of a transverse stress, sigma (hence the name), to a 50- X 50-mm (2- X 2-in.) square sheet specimen, followed by autogenous gas tungsten arc welding. As the preapplied stress is increased speci­ men by specimen, cracking eventually occurs. Testing to date has concentrated on 0.25-mm (0.01-in.) thick Types 304 and 316 stainless steel. Threshold stress values at the onset of cracking were found to range from 15 to 53 ksi (103 to 365 MPa). Ranking of the heats agrees completely with prior results from both the Lambert test and the ORNL Circular Patch test, and it provides quantitative indices unavailable from the other tests.
Machinability of Nickel-Based Superalloy by Abrasive Water Jet Machining

This paper deals with the machinability of nickel-based superalloys using abrasive water jet machining process. The machining studies were carried out with three different parameters such as water jet pressure, traverse speed of jet nozzle, and standoff distance at three different levels. The performances of the process parameters are evaluated by measuring difference in kerf width, kerf wall inclination, and material removal rate (MRR). Further, the surface morphology and material removal mechanisms are analyzed through scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. It is found that water jet pressure is the most influencing factor related to surface morphology and surface quality.
The F domain of estrogen receptor α is involved in species-specific, tamoxifen-mediated transactivation

Estrogen receptor α (ERα) is a major transducer of estrogen-mediated physiological signals. ERα is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, which encompasses ligand-dependent transcription factors. The C terminus of nuclear receptors, termed the F domain, is the least homologous region among the members of this family. The ERα F domain possesses 45 amino acids; however, its function remains unclear. We noticed that the homology of the F domains between mouse and human ERαs is remarkably lower (75.6% similarity) than that between the entire proteins (94.7% similarity). To assess the functionality of the ERα F domains, here we generated chimeric ERα expression constructs with mouse-human–exchanged F domains. Using cell-based in vitro assays, we analyzed the transcriptional coactivator interaction and ligand-binding domain dimerization activities of these mouse–human F domain–swapped ERαs. We found that the transcriptional activity of the mouse WT ERα is more potent than that of the human WT ERα in the human hepatoma cell line HepG2. 4-Hydroxytamoxifen (4OHT)-mediated transcriptional activity of mouse–human F domain–swapped ERαs was the inverse of the WT ERα activities but not estradiol-mediated transcriptional activities. Further experiments with constructs containing deletion or point mutations of a predicted β-strand region within the F domain suggested that this region governs the species-specific 4OHT-mediated transcriptional activity of ERα. We conclude that the ERα F domain has a species-specific function in 4OHT-mediated receptor transactivation and that mouse–human F domain–swapped ERα mutants enable key insights into ERα F domain structure and function.
Translation initiation in bacterial polysomes through ribosome loading on a standby site on a highly translated mRNA

Significance Polysomes are ensembles of two or more consecutive ribosomes that translate mRNA into proteins. Adjacent ribosomes can affect the frequency with which a new ribosome is loaded into the polysome. Here we show that mRNA with a long 5′UTR can recruit the next ribosome when the genuine start site is still occupied by the leading ribosome. The second ribosome binds to the upstream standby site on the mRNA, helped by the ribosomal proteins S1/S2 of the preceding ribosome. When the translating ribosome has cleared the start codon, the consecutive ribosome can rapidly move to the translation start. Recruitment to the standby site is a mechanism to increase polysome density and to regulate the efficiency of translation in polysomes. During translation, consecutive ribosomes load on an mRNA and form a polysome. The first ribosome binds to a single-stranded mRNA region and moves toward the start codon, unwinding potential mRNA structures on the way. In contrast, the following ribosomes can dock at the start codon only when the first ribosome has vacated the initiation site. Here we show that loading of the second ribosome on a natural 38-nt-long 5′ untranslated region of lpp mRNA, which codes for the outer membrane lipoprotein from Escherichia coli, takes place before the leading ribosome has moved away from the start codon. The rapid formation of this standby complex depends on the presence of ribosomal proteins S1/S2 in the leading ribosome. The early recruitment of the second ribosome to the standby site before translation by the leading ribosome and the tight coupling between translation elongation by the first ribosome and the accommodation of the second ribosome can contribute to high translational efficiency of the lpp mRNA.
Cardiovascular abnormalities in patients with oral cleft: a clinical-electrocardiographic-echocardiographic study

OBJECTIVES: The present study aims to describe the clinical, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic cardiological findings in a group of patients with oral clefts. METHODS: This is a prospective cross-sectional study on 70 children (age range from 13 days to 19 years) with oral clefts who attended the multidisciplinary program of a university hospital from March 2013 to September 2014. The patients were evaluated by a pediatric cardiologist and underwent detailed anamnesis, physical examination, electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram. RESULTS: Sixty percent of the patients were male; 55.7% presented with cleft lip and palate, and 40.0% presented with health complaints. Comorbidities were found in 44.3%. Relevant pregnancy, neonatal, family and personal antecedents were present in 55.7%, 27.1%, 67.2%, and 24.3% of the patients, respectively. Regarding the antecedents, 15.2% of the patients presented with a cardiac murmur, 49.0% with a familial risk of developing plurimetabolic syndrome, and 6% with family antecedents of rheumatic fever. Electrocardiographic evaluation showed one case of atrioventricular block. Echocardiograms were abnormal in 35.7% of the exams, including 5 cases of mitral valve prolapse — one of which was diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease. CONCLUSION: The finding of a family risk of developing plurimetabolic syndrome and a diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease indicates that patients with oral clefts may be more prone to developing acquired heart disease. Thus, our findings highlight the importance of anamnesis and methodological triangulation (clinical-electrocardiographic-echocardiographic) in the investigation of patients with oral clefts and emphasize that cardiological follow-up to evaluate acquired and/or rhythm heart diseases is necessary. This strategy permits comorbidity prevention and individualized planned treatment.
Electric and magnetic field assisted assembly and manipulation of nanostructures

This dissertation includes studies of three multicomponent systems: weak hydrophobic polyelectrolytes and role of electrostatic force on their conformation in aqueous medium; Nafion ionomer behavior in catalytic layer of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell; and fabrication of the transparent silver electrodes by magnetophoresis. These three topics give insights on how electric and magnetic field influence polymer molecules, thin films and inorganic colloidal nanostructures on the nanoscale. Index words: weak polyelectrolytes conformation; Nafion; ionomer; proton exchange membrane electrode; adhesion mapping; transparent electrodes; silver nanowires; conductive percolation Electric and magnetic field assisted assembly and manipulation of nanostructures
Compressive Strength of Laterized Concrete Using Palm Kernel as Partial Replacement of Coarse Aggregate

This research work investigates the structural characteristic of concrete using palm kernel shells as partial replacement of crushed rock aggregate in laterized concrete of mix ratio 1:2:4 with water/cement ratio of 0.6 and 0.75. Samples of laterized concrete were made by partially replacing the content of crushed rock aggregate with palm kernel shell. The quantity of palm kernel shell was varied at 0%, 15%, and 25% by weight of crushed rock aggregate, the samples were cured for specified period of 3,7,14,21, and 28 days respectively and tested in the laboratory to determine their compressive strength. Workability test were carried out on fresh laterized concrete via slump test. It was observed that specimen of 0.6 water/cement ratio at 0% palm kernel replacement produced a higher 28 days compressive strength value of, 24.72N/mm, while that of 0.75 water/cement ratio at 0% palm kernel replacement exhibited better workability. Compressive strength of the specimens crushed at age 28days ranged between 10.67N/mm to 24.72N/mm for the laterized mixes considered. This result compared favourably with those of conventional concrete. 0% replacement by palm kernel shell at 0.6 water/cement ratio was found to be suitable for use as concrete for structural members
Follow the money: Public subsidies and the changing intra-party balance of power between different faces of the party organisation—the case of Sweden

Does the allocation of public funding for parties support the assumptions of cartel party theory about a change in the internal balance of power within Swedish parties? By answering this question, the study tests some of Katz and Mair’s theory about changing party financing that are linked to the changed balance of power within cartel parties. Using data on public party subsidiaries 1966–2011 in Sweden, the result supports these assumptions made by the cartel party theory.
Numerical modelling of the gas detonation process of sheet metal forming

Gas detonation forming is an unconventional technique, which has the potential to form complex geometries, including sharp angles and undercuts in a very short process time. To date, most of the numerical studies on detonation forming neglect the highly dynamic pressure profile of the detonation obtained from experiments. In the present work, it is emphasised that the consideration of the actual detonation pressure as measured in the experiment is crucial. The thickness distribution and radial strain are studied using a strain-rate dependent Johnson-Cook material model. The obtained results vary significantly with change in loading rate. Moreover, the model is capable of predicting extremely sharp edges.
Reinvestigating an enigmatic Late Cretaceous monocot: morphology, taxonomy, and biogeography of Viracarpon

Angiosperm-dominated floras of the Late Cretaceous are essential for understanding the evolutionary, ecological, and geographic radiation of flowering plants. The Late Cretaceous–early Paleogene Deccan Intertrappean Beds of India contain angiosperm-dominated plant fossil assemblages known from multiple localities in central India. Numerous monocots have been documented from these assemblages, providing a window into an important but poorly understood time in their diversification. One component of the Deccan monocot diversity is the genus Viracarpon, known from anatomically preserved infructescences. Viracarpon was first collected over a century ago and has been the subject of numerous studies. However, resolution of its three-dimensional (3D) morphology and anatomy, as well as its taxonomic affinities, has remained elusive. In this study we investigated the morphology and taxonomy of genus Viracarpon, combining traditional paleobotanical techniques and X-ray micro-computed tomography (μCT). Re-examination of type and figured specimens, 3D reconstructions of fruits, and characterization of structures in multiple planes of section using μCT data allowed us to resolve conflicting interpretations of fruit morphology and identify additional characters useful in refining potential taxonomic affinities. Among the four Viracarpon species previously recognized, we consider two to be valid (Viracarpon hexaspermum and Viracarpon elongatum), and the other two to be synonyms of these. Furthermore, we found that permineralized infructescences of Coahuilocarpon phytolaccoides from the late Campanian of Mexico correspond closely in morphology to V. hexaspermum. We argue that Viracarpon and Coahuilocarpon are congeneric and provide the new combination, Viracarpon phytolaccoides (Cevallos-Ferriz, Estrada-Ruiz & Perez-Hernandez) Matsunaga, S.Y. Smith, & Manchester comb. nov. The significant geographic disjunction between these two occurrences indicates that the genus Viracarpon was widespread and may be present in other Late Cretaceous assemblages. Viracarpon exhibits character combinations not present in any extant taxa and its affinities remain unresolved, possibly representing an extinct member of Alismatales. The character mosaic observed in Viracarpon and the broad distribution of the genus provide new data relevant to understanding early monocot evolution and suggest that the (thus far) largely invisible Late Cretaceous monocot diversification was characterized by enigmatic and/or stem taxa.
Enhancing Understanding of the Visual Cycle by Applying CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing in Zebrafish

During the vertebrate visual cycle, all-trans-retinal is exported from photoreceptors to the adjacent RPE or Müller glia wherein 11-cis-retinal is regenerated. The 11-cis chromophore is returned to photoreceptors, forming light-sensitive visual pigments with opsin GPCRs. Dysfunction of this process perturbs phototransduction because functional visual pigment cannot be generated. Mutations in visual cycle genes can result in monogenic inherited forms of blindness. Though key enzymatic processes are well characterized, questions remain as to the physiological role of visual cycle proteins in different retinal cell types, functional domains of these proteins in retinoid biochemistry and in vivo pathogenesis of disease mutations. Significant progress is needed to develop effective and accessible treatments for inherited blindness arising from mutations in visual cycle genes. Here, we review opportunities to apply gene editing technology to two crucial visual cycle components, RPE65 and CRALBP. Expressed exclusively in the human RPE, RPE65 enzymatically converts retinyl esters into 11-cis retinal. CRALBP is an 11-cis-retinal binding protein expressed in human RPE and Muller glia. Loss-of-function mutations in either protein results in autosomal recessive forms of blindness. Modeling these human conditions using RPE65 or CRALBP murine knockout models have enhanced our understanding of their biochemical function, associated disease pathogenesis and development of therapeutics. However, rod-dominated murine retinae provide a challenge to assess cone function. The cone-rich zebrafish model is amenable to cost-effective maintenance of a variety of strains. Interestingly, gene duplication in zebrafish resulted in three Rpe65 and two Cralbp isoforms with differential temporal and spatial expression patterns. Functional investigations of zebrafish Rpe65 and Cralbp were restricted to gene knockdown with morpholino oligonucleotides. However, transient silencing, off-target effects and discrepancies between knockdown and knockout models, highlight a need for more comprehensive alternatives for functional genomics. CRISPR/Cas9 in zebrafish has emerged as a formidable technology enabling targeted gene knockout, knock-in, activation, or silencing to single base-pair resolution. Effective, targeted gene editing by CRISPR/Cas9 in zebrafish enables unprecedented opportunities to create genetic research models. This review will discuss existing knowledge gaps regarding RPE65 and CRALBP. We explore the benefits of CRISPR/Cas9 to establish innovative zebrafish models to enhance knowledge of the visual cycle.