Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Different Types of Amplitude Distributions in Composite Materials

The objective of this work was to study the amplitude distributions of acoustic emission signals, and their evolutions during mechanical tests, in composites. Discontinuous distri butions, continuous distributions and intermediate distributions are observed according to sort of composite and type of mechanical test. Discontinuous distributions are associated with the development of the basic failure modes in composites. Whereas continuous distri butions are characteristic of development of complex failure modes.
Modified Slump Test to Measure Rheological Parameters of Fresh Concrete

The ease of placement of concrete depends upon at least two physical properties, the yield stress and plastic viscosity. Currently the most common field test is the slump test, and it is related only to the yield stress. Therefore, a simple field test method intended to provide an evaluation of the two Bingham rheological parameters, yield stress and plastic viscosity, was developed. To determine the plastic viscosity the time necessary for the upper surface of the concrete in the standard slump cone to slump 100 mm was measured. The apparatus and test procedure are described. Semi-empirical models are proposed for the yield stress and for the plastic viscosity as function of the final slump and slumping time. The application of the modified slump test for the evaluation of the viscosity is limited to concretes with a slump of 120 to 260 mm. If the validity of this test is confirmed in the future, it could be used as a field quality control test.
Is gene activity in plant cells affected by UMTS-irradiation? A whole genome approach

Mobile phone technology makes use of radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic fields transmitted through a dense network of base stations in Europe. Possible harmful effects of RF fields on humans and animals are discussed, but their effect on plants has received little attention. In search for physiological processes of plant cells sensitive to RF fields, cell suspension cultures of Arabidopsis thaliana were exposed for 24 h to a RF field protocol representing typical microwave exposition in an urban environment. mRNA of exposed cultures and controls was used to hybridize Affymetrix-ATH1 whole genome microarrays. Differential expression analysis revealed significant changes in transcription of 10 genes, but they did not exceed a fold change of 2.5. Besides that 3 of them are dark-inducible, their functions do not point to any known responses of plants to environmental stimuli. The changes in transcription of these genes were compared with published microarray datasets and revealed a weak similarity of the microwave to light treatment experiments. Considering the large changes described in published experiments, it is questionable if the small alterations caused by a 24 h continuous microwave exposure would have any impact on the growth and reproduction of whole plants.
Transduction and adaptation in sensory receptor cells

Sensory transduction shares common features in widely different sensory modalities. The purpose of this article is to examine the similarities and differences in the underlying mechanisms of transduction in the sensory receptor cells for vision, olfaction, and hearing. One of the major differences between the systems relates to the nature of the stimulus. In both the visual and olfactory systems a quantal mechanism of detection is possible, because the absorption of a photon or the binding of an odorant molecule provides an energy change significantly greater than the thermal noise in the receptor molecule. In hearing, on the other hand, the energy of a phonon is far lower, and detection occurs by a “classical” mechanism. For vertebrate photoreceptors and olfactory receptor cells, sensory transduction employs a G protein cascade that is remarkably similar in the two cases, and that is closely homologous to other G protein signaling cascades. For auditory and vestibular hair cells, transduction operates via a mechanism of direct coupling of the stimulus to ion channels, in a manner reminiscent of the direct gating of post-synaptic ion channels in various synaptic mechanisms. The three classes of sensory receptor cell share similarities in their mechanisms of adaptation, and it appears in each case that cytoplasmic calcium concentration plays a major role in adaptation.
Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activities of Twenty-Four Vitis vinifera Grapes

Grapes are rich in phytochemicals with many proven health benefits. Phenolic profiles, antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of twenty-four selected Vitis vinifera grape cultivars were investigated in this study. Large ranges of variation were found in these cultivars for the contents of total phenolics (95.3 to 686.5 mg/100 g) and flavonoids (94.7 to 1055 mg/100 g) and antioxidant activities (oxygen radical absorbance capacity 378.7 to 3386.0 mg of Trolox equivalents/100 g and peroxylradical scavenging capacity14.2 to 557 mg of vitamin C equivalents/100 g), cellular antioxidant activities (3.9 to 139.9 µmol of quercetin equivalents/100 g without PBS wash and 1.4 to 95.8 µmol of quercetin equivalents /100 g with PBS wash) and antiproliferative activities (25 to 82% at the concentrations of 100 mg/mL extracts). The total antioxidant activities were significantly correlated with the total phenolics and flavonoids. However, no significant correlations were found between antiproliferative activities and total phenolics or total flavonoids content. Wine grapes and color grapes showed much higher levels of phytochemicals and antioxidant activities than table grapes and green/yellow grapes. Several germplasm accessions with much high contents of phenolics and flavonoids, and total antioxidant activity were identified. These germplasm can be valuable sources of genes for breeding grape cultivars with better nutritional qualities of wine and table grapes in the future.
A Paradigm for Virus–Host Coevolution: Sequential Counter-Adaptations between Endogenous and Exogenous Retroviruses

Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are remnants of ancient retroviral infections of the host germline transmitted vertically from generation to generation. It is hypothesized that some ERVs are used by the host as restriction factors to block the infection of pathogenic retroviruses. Indeed, some ERVs efficiently interfere with the replication of related exogenous retroviruses. However, data suggesting that these mechanisms have influenced the coevolution of endogenous and/or exogenous retroviruses and their hosts have been more difficult to obtain. Sheep are an interesting model system to study retrovirus-host coevolution because of the coexistence in this animal species of two exogenous (i.e., horizontally transmitted) oncogenic retroviruses, Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus and Enzootic nasal tumor virus, with highly related and biologically active endogenous retroviruses (enJSRVs). Here, we isolated and characterized the evolutionary history and molecular virology of 27 enJSRV proviruses. enJSRVs have been integrating in the host genome for the last 5–7 million y. Two enJSRV proviruses (enJS56A1 and enJSRV-20), which entered the host genome within the last 3 million y (before and during speciation within the genus Ovis), acquired in two temporally distinct events a defective Gag polyprotein resulting in a transdominant phenotype able to block late replication steps of related exogenous retroviruses. Both transdominant proviruses became fixed in the host genome before or around sheep domestication (∼ 9,000 y ago). Interestingly, a provirus escaping the transdominant enJSRVs has emerged very recently, most likely within the last 200 y. Thus, we determined sequentially distinct events during evolution that are indicative of an evolutionary antagonism between endogenous and exogenous retroviruses. This study strongly suggests that endogenization and selection of ERVs acting as restriction factors is a mechanism used by the host to fight retroviral infections.
Evaluation of Serum Levels of HER2, MMP-9, Nitric Oxide, and Total Antioxidant Capacity in Egyptian Breast Cancer Patients: Correlation with Clinico-Pathological Parameters

Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer in women worldwide and the main cause of cancer-related mortality. Breast cancer accounts for 38% of all malignancies among Egyptian women. The aim of our study was to evaluate the serum levels of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), nitric oxide (NO), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in breast cancer patients and to correlate these markers with clinico-pathological parameters. Serum HER2, MMP-9, and carcinoma antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) were assessed in 80 breast cancer patients and ten healthy subjects as a control group by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique while NO and TAC were assessed by a colorimetric method. Serum HER2 was ≥15 ng/mL in nine patients (11.3%). High HER2 ECD levels were significantly associated with tissue HER2 (P<0.0001), metastasis (P= 0.0024), and negativity of both estrogen (P=0.0075) and progesterone (P=0.0239) receptors. Serum MMP-9 (P=0.0013), NO (P<0.0001), and CA 15-3 (P<0.0001) were significantly increased while serum TAC was significantly (P=0.01) decreased in breast cancer patients as compared to the control group. Serum MMP-9 was increased significantly (P=0.028) in metastatic patients as compared to non-metastatic patients. We found a positive correlation between serum HER2 and CA 15-3 (r=36, p=0.005). In conclusion, serum HER2 reflects the tissue HER2 status of breast cancer, so the determination of serum HER2 is helpful in assessing HER2 status, but in addition, a high level may reflect metastatic disease. Also, serum MMP-9 can be useful for denoting the development of metastasis in breast cancer patients. Follow-up is needed to evaluate the value of serum HER2 and MMP-9 as prognostic markers.
Energetics of shuttle runs: the effects of distance and change of direction.

UNLABELLED Shuttle runs can be used to study the physiological responses in sports (such as basketball) characterized by sprints (accelerations/ decelerations) and changes of direction. PURPOSE To determine the energy cost (C) of shuttle runs with different turning angles and over different distances (with different acceleration/deceleration patterns). METHODS Nine basketball players were asked to complete 6 intermittent tests over different distances (5, 10, 25 m) and with different changes of direction (180° at 5 and 25 m; 0°, 45°, 90°, and 180° at 10 m) at maximal speed (v ≈ 4.5 m/s), each composed by 10 shuttle runs of 10-s duration and 30-s recovery; during these runs oxygen uptake (VO(2)), blood lactate (Lab), and C were determined. RESULTS For a given shuttle distance (10 m) no major differences where observed in VO(2) (~33 mL · min⁻¹ · kg⁻¹), Lab (~3.75 mM), and C (~21.2 J · m⁻¹ · kg⁻¹) when the shuttle runs were performed with different turning angles. For a given turning angle (180°), VO(2) and Lab were found to increase with the distance covered (VO(2) from 26 to 35 mL · min⁻¹ · kg⁻¹; Lab from 0.7 to 7.6 mM) while C was found to decrease with it (from 29.9 to 10.6 J · m⁻¹ · kg⁻¹); the relationship between C and d (m) is well described by C = 92.99 × d0.656, R2 = . 971. CONCLUSIONS The metabolic demands of shuttle tests run at maximal speeds can be estimated based on the running distance, while the turning angle plays a minor role in determining C.
Development of personalized treatments in lung cancer: focusing on the EGFR mutations and beyond

Lung cancers with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutation account for ∼40% of adenocarcinoma in East Asians and ∼15% of that in Caucasians, which makes them one of the most common molecularly defined lung cancer subsets. The role of EGFR mutation as a strong predictive biomarker of response to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) was finally confirmed by the biomarker analysis of Iressa Pan-Asian Study (IPASS). Since the 2004 discovery of EGFR mutation in lung cancer, the EGFR mutation and EGFR-TKI treatment have been widely studied. These include characteristics of lung cancers with EGFR mutations; clinical efficacies and adverse effects of EGFR-TKIs in patients with EGFR-mutated lung cancers; development of novel EGFR-TKIs that may prolong progression-free survival of these patients or overcome resistance to first-generation EGFR-TKIs (gefitinib and erlotinib); optimal treatment schedules for EGFR-TKIs to delay emergence of resistance; molecular mechanisms of acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs; treatment strategies after patients acquire resistance to EGFR-TKIs; and predictive biomarkers for EGFR-TKIs among patients with EGFR-mutated lung cancers. Some of these results are widely accepted, while others are apparent only in cell line models, preclinical animal models, or retrospective analyses (and sometimes conflict with each other). In this review, we summarize accumulated reports from the past decade, especially focusing on unanswered but important clinical questions in treating patients with EGFR-mutated lung cancers.
Integrated on-chip Ba2Ti9O20 dielectric resonator oscillator in GaAs technology

We report for the first time a 26 GHz K/Ka-band dielectric resonator oscillator (DRO) in 0.8 µm GaAs MESFET that had the Ba<inf>2</inf>Ti<inf>9</inf>O<inf>20</inf> dielectric resonator (DR) grown to the surface of the chip at a temperature of 150°C without destroying the devices of the IC. It was compared to a DRO that had a commercially available DR, Ba(Zn<inf>⅓</inf>Ta<inf>⅔</inf>)O<inf>3</inf>, epoxied to it. The Ba<inf>2</inf>Ti<inf>9</inf>O<inf>20</inf> DRO had a measured output power power of 5.68dBm at 25.6 GHz and a phase noise of −114 dBc @ 1MHz.
An efficient pattern-less background modeling based on scale invariant local states

A robust and efficient background modeling algorithm is crucial to the success of most of the intelligent video surveillance systems. Compared with intensity-based approaches, texture-based background modeling approaches have shown to be more robust against dynamic backgrounds and illumination changes, which are common in real life videos. However, many of the existing texture-based methods are too computationally expensive, which renders them useless in real-time applications. In this paper, a novel efficient texture-based background modeling algorithm is presented. Scale invariant local states (SILS) are introduced as pixel features for modeling a background pixel, and a pattern-less probabilistic measurement (PLPM) is derived to estimate the probability of a pixel being background from its SILS. An adaptive background modeling framework is also introduced for learning and representing a multi-modal background model. Experimental results show that the proposed method can run nearly 3 times faster than existing state-of-the-art texture-based method, without sacrificing the output quality. This allows more time for a real-time surveillance system to carry out other computationally intensive analysis on the detected foreground objects.
Comparison of Eustachian Tube Function in Children and Adults with Normal Ears

The eustachian tube function was studied in 53 children and 55 adults, all otologically healthy, by means of tympanometry in a pressure chamber. The ability to equilibrate applied overpressures and underpressures in the middle ear by deglutition or jaw movements, ie, muscular opening function was significantly poorer in children than in adults, and also significantly poorer in younger children than in older ones. The pressure opening function of the tube was determined during reduction of the pressure in the chamber, ie, deflation test. The relative positive pressure persisting in the middle ear after the deflation test, ie, closing pressure, was also measured. No significant difference was found between children and adults. The ability to create a negative middle ear pressure by sniffing (positive sniffing test) was correlated with low closing pressures of the tube. Children with negative middle ear pressures had poor muscular opening function rather than positive sniffing tests. Judging from serial tympanometric measurements for up to two months, also performed in ten sniffing positive and ten sniffing negative children, it seems that the results obtained in the pressure chamber tests reflect a “mean tubal function. ”
Dual-treatment autodissemination station with enhanced transfer of an insect growth regulator to mosquito oviposition sites.

BACKGROUND The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Skuse), transmits important arboviral diseases and displaces native species. This peridomestic mosquito deposits eggs in natural and artificial containers. Container larval habitats tend to be cryptic and, therefore, difficult to reach by conventional insecticide treatments. We have developed an autodissemination station that transfers the insect growth regulator, pyriproxyfen, from the station to oviposition sites. Mosquitoes visiting the station become contaminated with an oil sticker followed by pyriproxyfen powder before exiting. RESULTS In a room (31 m(3) ) bioassay a single station consistently achieved 100% Ae. albopictus pupal mortality against 10 oviposition containers. In a greenhouse (200 m(3) ) assay with two stations and 12 oviposition cups, 91.7% of the cups had been contaminated as shown, and 57.1% pupal mortality was recorded. Pyriproxyfen transfer was also detected by visualizing mosquito 'tarsal prints' using a fluorescent dye. CONCLUSIONS The oil and pyriproxyfen powder dual-treatment station enhanced autodissemination efficacy by increasing toxicant attachment and retention on contaminated females. The autodissemination station offers a targeted, less environmentally damaging approach to manage cryptic container species.
Concurrent Use of an Audience Response System at a Multi-Campus College of Pharmacy

Objective. To assess the impact of an audience response system (ARS) on student engagement at a multi-campus college of pharmacy. Methods. An online questionnaire was designed and administered to measure the impact of an ARS on student engagement, distance education, projected use, and satisfaction among pharmacy students for a course delivered across 3 sites via synchronous video transmission. Results. Students reported that use of the ARS made it easier to participate (85.3%) and helped them to focus (75.7%) in classes when the lecturer was physically at a different site. They also valued that the ARS allowed them to respond anonymously (93.2%). A minority of students indicated that use of the ARS was distracting (11.8%). Conclusions. Implementation of an ARS was associated with positive student perceptions of engagement and may improve feelings of connectedness among students at schools with multiple sites. Use of ARSs could also represent a cognitive intercession strategy to help reduce communication apprehension.
Detection of novel chlamydiae in cats with ocular disease.

OBJECTIVE To detect and characterize the full range of chlamydial infections in cats with ocular disease by use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, cytologic examination, immunohistochemical analysis, and evaluation of clinical information including status for feline herpesvirus-1 (FeHV-1). SAMPLE POPULATION DNA extracted from 226 conjunctival samples obtained from cats with clinically diagnosed keratitis or conjunctivitis and 30 conjunctival samples from healthy cats. PROCEDURE PCR assays for the 16S rRNA gene specific for the order Chlamydiales and a new Chlamydophila felis (formerly Chlamydia psittaci) species-specific 23S rRNA gene were performed. Seventy-four conjunctival samples were prepared with Romanowsky-type stain, grouped on the basis of inflammatory pattern, and screened for chlamydial inclusions by use of immunohistochemical analysis. Clinical information and FeHV-1 status were recorded. RESULTS 26 (12%) specimens had positive results for the only known feline chlamydial pathogen, C felis. Surprisingly, an additional 88 (39%) were positive for non-C felis chlamydial DNA. Identification of non-C felis chlamydial DNA by direct sequencing revealed 16S rRNA gene sequences that were 99% homologous to the sequence for Neochlamydia hartmannellae, an amebic endosymbiont. Chlamydial prevalence was significantly higher in cats with ocular disease. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Application of a broad-range detection method resulted in identification of a new agent associated with ocular disease in cats. Finding chlamydia-like agents such as N hartmannellae in coinfections with their obligate amebic host, Hartmannella vermiformis, raises questions about the potential role of these microorganisms in causation or exacerbation of ocular disease in cats.
The monoclonal antibody to cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4, ipilimumab, in the treatment of melanoma

Background Cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) is an inhibitory regulator of the T-cell immune response against tumor cells. Ipilimumab is a monoclonal antibody directed against CTLA-4. Objective This review describes the basic mechanism of ipilimumab and discusses data available to date with regards to its safety and efficacy profile. Methods Data from clinical trials including abstracts was reviewed using the PubMed Database, as well as the American Society of Clinical Oncology Abstract Database. Conclusion CTLA-4 inhibition with a monoclonal antibody is usually well tolerated and has efficacy as a therapeutic agent in a variety of cancers. The classical response interpretation has changed because of the delayed mechanism of action. The toxicities are autoimmune events and guidelines for treatment of these effects are discussed. Therapy with ipilimumab leads to durable responses. The first two Phase III randomized studies showed an improvement of survival at 1, 2, and 3 years. Other studies are currently underway to better understand the optimal treatment administration of ipilimumab in melanoma.
Interaction of hHR23 with S5a

hHR23B is one of two human homologs of theSaccharomyces cerevisiae nucleotide excision repair (NER) gene product RAD23 and a component of a protein complex that specifically complements the NER defect of xeroderma pigmentosum group C (XP-C) cell extracts in vitro. Although a small proportion of hHR23B is tightly complexed with the XP-C responsible gene product, XPC protein, a vast majority exists as an XPC-free form, indicating that hHR23B has additional functions other than NER in vivo. Here we demonstrate that the human NER factor hHR23B as well as another human homolog of RAD23, hHR23A, interact specifically with S5a, a subunit of the human 26 S proteasome using the yeast two-hybrid system. Furthermore, hHR23 proteins were detected with S5a at the position where 26 S proteasome sediments in glycerol gradient centrifugation of HeLa S100 extracts. Intriguingly, hHR23B showed the inhibitory effect on the degradation of 125I-lysozyme in the rabbit reticulocyte lysate. hHR23 proteins thus appear to associate with 26 S proteasome in vivo. From co-precipitation experiments using several series of deletion mutants, we defined the domains in hHR23B and S5a that mediate this interaction. From these results, we propose that part of hHR23 proteins are involved in the proteolytic pathway in cells.