Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electrical discharge grinding of polycrystalline diamond – Effect of wheel rotation

ABSTRACT Electrical Discharge Grinding (EDG) is an advanced machining process that becomes popular in manufacturing of Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD) tools. This research investigated the effects of wheel rotation as well as debris flow direction on the quality of PCD tools based on a series of EDG experiments. Experimental results showed the debris that flowed toward the cutting edge could significantly affect the edge sharpness and symmetry of the tool, which were critical for the smaller edge apex angle. Evidence of spark concentration caused by the debris accumulation phenomenon were found through microscopic analysis on the eroded surfaces. This research also revealed the unexplained phenomenon associated with the undercut that normally formed beneath the PCD cutting edge after erosion. By examining PCD samples using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy, the formation of the heat-affected layer caused by the high-temperature erosion process in the EDG was analyzed. Results also proved that the surface finish of tungsten carbide (WC) and notch width of the PCD tools, particularly on the tungsten carbide WC/PCD interface, should not be taken as the index to measure PCD tool quality.
Cavity QED with atomic mirrors

A promising approach to merge atomic systems with scalable photonics has emerged recently, which consists of trapping cold atoms near tapered nanofibers. Here, we describe a novel technique to achieve strong, coherent coupling between a single atom and photon in such a system. Our approach makes use of collective enhancement effects, which allow a lattice of atoms to form a high-finesse cavity within the fiber. We show that a specially designated ‘impurity’ atom within the cavity can experience strongly enhanced interactions with single photons in the fiber. Under realistic conditions, a ‘strong coupling’ regime can be reached, wherein it becomes feasible to observe vacuum Rabi oscillations between the excited impurity atom and a single cavity quantum. This technique can form the basis for a scalable quantum information network using atom–nanofiber systems.
A Critical Review of Properties and Analytical Methods for the Determination of Oxytetracyline in Biological and Pharmaceutical Matrices

ABSTRACT Antibiotics have an unquestionable importance in the treatment of many infections. Oxytetracycline is an antibiotic belonging to the class of tetracyclines, available for use in human and veterinary medicine. Development of analytical methods that prove the quality and efficacy of these drugs is fundamentally important to the pharmaceutical industry. In this context, the research presents an overview of the analytical profile of oxytetracycline, describing its chemical and pharmacological properties, and analytical methods for quantification of this drug in biological samples and pharmaceutical products. Oxytetracycline can be analyzed in these matrices by many types of methodologies. However, high-performance liquid chromatography is the most widely used, being recommended by official compendia. This kind of study can be useful to support the development of new efficient and sustainable analytical methods that may be utilized in the quality control routine of oxytetracycline in pharmaceutical products and pharmacokinetic monitoring in biological samples.
Dynamics and phylogenetic relationships of HIV-1 transmitted drug resistance according to subtype in Italy over the years 2000–14

Background Transmitted drug-resistance (TDR) remains a critical aspect for the management of HIV-1-infected individuals. Thus, studying the dynamics of TDR is crucial to optimize HIV care. Methods In total, 4323 HIV-1 protease/reverse-transcriptase sequences from drug-naive individuals diagnosed in north and central Italy between 2000 and 2014 were analysed. TDR was evaluated over time. Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic trees with bootstrap and Bayesian-probability supports defined transmission clusters. Results Most individuals were males (80.2%) and Italian (72.1%), with a median (IQR) age of 37 (30-45) years. MSM accounted for 42.2% of cases, followed by heterosexuals (36.4%). Non-B subtype infections accounted for 30.8% of the overall population and increased over time (<2005-14: 19.5%-38.5%, P < 0.0001), particularly among Italians (<2005-14: 6.5%-28.8%, P < 0.0001). TDR prevalence was 8.8% and increased over time in non-B subtypes (<2005-14: 2%-7.1%, P = 0.018). Overall, 467 transmission clusters (involving 1207 individuals; 27.9%) were identified. The prevalence of individuals grouping in transmission clusters increased over time in both B (<2005-14: 12.9%-33.5%, P = 0.001) and non-B subtypes (<2005-14: 18.4%-41.9%, P = 0.006). TDR transmission clusters were 13.3% within the overall cluster observed and dramatically increased in recent years (<2005-14: 14.3%-35.5%, P = 0.005). This recent increase was mainly due to non-B subtype-infected individuals, who were also more frequently involved in large transmission clusters than those infected with a B subtype [median number of individuals in transmission clusters: 7 (IQR 6-19) versus 4 (3-4), P = 0.047]. Conclusions The epidemiology of HIV transmission changed greatly over time; the increasing number of transmission clusters (sometimes with drug resistance) shows that detection and proper treatment of the multi-transmitters is a major target for controlling HIV spread.
The Influence of Leaf Consumption on Time Allocation in Black Howler Monkeys (Alouatta pigra)

The analysis of factors that determine variation in time budgets is important to understand the interactions between environment, behaviour and fitness. We tested the hypothesis that changes in the dietary patterns of black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) caused by a decrease in the availability of preferred foods are a main determinant of variation in time budgets. We predicted that individuals would trade off travel time for resting time (i.e., minimize energy expenditure) as the diet included more leaves. We conducted our study in the Mexican state of Campeche between 2005 and 2008, where we studied the behaviour of 28 adult males and 32 adult females belonging to 14 different groups for a total of 3,747.2 focal sampling hours. Study groups lived in forest fragments with variation in habitat quality. Individuals showed different rest:travel trade-offs in response to leaf consumption according to the quality of the forest fragments they lived in. Individuals that lived in high-quality fragments increased resting time under more folivorous regimes, whereas those living in low-quality fragments increased travel time. Our results suggest that howler monkeys living in low-quality fragments spend more time foraging to compensate for the low quality of the available resources.
Acute right ventricular resynchronization improves haemodynamics in children after surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot

Aims Right bundle branch block is associated with right ventricular (RV) electromechanical dyssynchrony, which may contribute to acute haemodynamic impairment after repair of tetralogy of Fallot (ToF). We sought to evaluate the effects of RV resynchronization on haemodynamics and tissue oxygenation during the first 24 h after surgery. Methods and results Arterial pressures, cardiac output, and tissue oxygenation were measured in 28 consecutive patients (median age 10.1 months) during baseline sinus rhythm with right bundle branch block and after RV resynchronization by atrial-triggered RV free wall pacing in complete fusion with spontaneous activation. Studied variables were compared in a crossover design in four 5-min intervals (baseline rhythm and stimulation, 2x each). Resynchronization reduced the QRS complex duration from median 110 to 70 ms (P < 0.001), increased significantly median arterial systolic, mean and pulse pressure, cardiac index, left ventricular maximum +dP/dT and decreased central venous pressure (P < 0.001 for all). Both cerebral and renal oxygenation improved (P < 0.001). Eleven of the 28 patients showed a clinically highly significant resynchronization effect defined as an increase in arterial pulse pressure of ≥ 10%. The q-RV interval (expressed as % of QRS duration) at the RV pacing site during baseline rhythm was the only predictor of resynchronization effect. Conclusions RV resynchronization carried short-term improvement of haemodynamics in children early after surgery for ToF and might be a useful non-pharmacologic adjunct to the management of haemodynamically compromised patients. Resynchronization effect was maximized when pacing from area of the latest RV activation.
Impact Resistance of Woven Fabrics

A comprehensive model is presented to study the deformation of and damage to woven fabrics under small projectile impacts. The approach dynamically follows the strain wave propagation along each individual yarn away from the impact point. As in previous work, the mechanics of wave propagation is formulated in terms of impulse-momentum balance equations, which are solved at each fiber crossover using a finite difference technique. Our approach explicitly considers the various projectile characteristics (shape, mass, velocity) as well as all fiber properties such as denier, modulus, and tensile strength. Even more importantly, the model allows us to account for slippage of yarns at crossovers and within the clamps. In contrast to previous work, yarn slippage and fracture processes are described with a kinetic approach, which explicitly accounts for their dependence on impact rate. Our model results are in good quantitative agreement with published exper imental data on single-ply fabrics. They also clearly indicate that yarn slippage through clamps—often seen experimentally—is responsible for some salient features observed in ballistic data.
Occurrence of toluene in Canadian total diet foods and its significance to overall human exposure

ABSTRACT Levels of most VOCs in foods are usually low because of their volatility, and human exposure to VOCs is expected to be mainly via inhalation of ambient and indoor air. However, dietary exposures to VOCs can be significant to overall exposures if elevated concentrations of VOCs are present in foods consumed in high amounts and/or on a regular basis, and this was demonstrated in this study with the occurrence data of toluene from the recent 2014 Canadian Total Diet Study (TDS). Concentrations of toluene in the composite samples of most food types from the 2014 TDS are low and similar to the results from the previous 2007 TDS with some exceptions, such as beef steak (670 ng/g (2014 TDS) vs. 14 ng/g (2007 TDS)), poultry, chicken and turkey (307 ng/g (2014 TDS) vs. 8.8 ng/g (2007 TDS)). Toluene concentrations in most of the grain-based and fast food composite samples from the 2014 TDS are considerably higher than those from the 2007 TDS, with the highest level of 4655 ng/g found in the composite sample of crackers from the 2014 TDS (compared to 18 ng/g from 2007 TDS). Dietary exposure estimates for toluene based on the occurrence results from the 2014 TDS show that for most of the age groups, grain-based foods are the primary source, accounting for an average of 77.5% of the overall toluene intake from the diet. The highest dietary exposures to toluene were observed for the adult age groups, with estimated average exposures ranging from 177.4 to 184.5 µg/d. Dietary exposure estimates to toluene are well below oral doses associated with toxicological effects and also below the maximum estimated intake (819 µg/d) from air inhalation for adult group (20 – 70 years) based on the results from CEPA (Canadian Environmental Protection Act) assessment in 1992.
Characterization of the HD 17156 planetary system

Aims. To improve the parameters of the HD 17156 system (peculiar due to the eccentric and long orbital period of its transiting planet) and constrain the presence of stellar companions. Methods. Photometric data were acquired for 4 transits, and high precision radial velocity measurements were simultaneously acquired with SARG@TNG for one transit. The template spectra of HD 17156 was used to derive effective temperature, gravity, and metallicity. A fit of the photometric and spectroscopic data was performed to measure the stellar and planetary radii, and the spin-orbit alignment. Planet orbital elements and ephemeris were derived from the fit. Near infrared adaptive optic images was acqu ired with ADOPT@TNG. Results. We have found that the star has a radius of RS = 1.44± 0.03R⊙ and the planet RP = 1.02± 0.08RJ . The transit ephemeris is Tc = 2 454 756.73134± 0.00020+ N� 21.21663± 0.00045 BJD. The analysis of the Rossiter-Mclaughlin effect shows that the system is spin orbit aligned with an angleλ = 4.8 ◦ ± 5.3 ◦ . The analysis of high resolution images has not revealed any stellar companion with projected separation between 150 and 1 000 AU from HD 17156.
Circadian Pattern of Melatonin MT1 and MT2 Receptor Localization in the Rat Suprachiasmatic Nucleus

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is the master circadian pacemaker. The pineal hormone melatonin is involved in the regulation of circadian phase. As a part of the circadian system, its synthesis and secretion is under SCN control. On the other hand, melatonin feeds back on the SCN to regulate its function. Melatonin has two specific windows of time at which it regulates SCN function, namely dusk and dawn. It has been suggested that melatonin exerts its effect on the SCN during that specific window of time via one or both of its specific receptors, MT1 or MT2. The hypothesis that the density of these receptors varies across the circadian cycle was tested. Using immunohistochemistry with receptor-specific antibodies, the localization and distribution of melatonin receptors MT1 and MT2 was studied in the SCN at different Zeitgeber times (ZT): ZT 11–13 (dusk), 23–01 (dawn), 5–7 (mid-day), and 17–19 (midnight). Our results show that MT1 receptor density significantly increased at dusk relative to dawn and midnight (p<0.01 and p<0.001 respectively). Although MT1 receptors were widespread in the SCN and parts of the optic chiasm at dusk, they were restricted to the SCN during the mid-day period. MT2 receptors were not detected in the SCN. Thus, we find that melatonin receptor MT1 density and distribution varies with circadian time. This creates a time window during which melatonin can affect the operation of the SCN. We also find that melatonin regulates SCN function via MT1 receptors with a minimal role for MT2.
Migrant women living with HIV in Europe: are they facing inequalities in the prevention of mother-to-child-transmission of HIV? The European Pregnancy and Paediatric HIV Cohort Collaboration (EPPICC) study group in EuroCoord*

Background In pregnancy early interventions are recommended for prevention of mother-to-child-transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. We examined whether pregnant women who live with HIV in Europe and are migrants encounter barriers in accessing HIV testing and care. Methods Four cohorts within the European Pregnancy and Paediatric HIV Cohort Collaboration provided data for pooled analysis of 11 795 pregnant women who delivered in 2002-12 across ten European countries. We defined a migrant as a woman delivering in a country different from her country of birth and grouped the countries into seven world regions. We compared three suboptimal PMTCT interventions (HIV diagnosis in late pregnancy in women undiagnosed at conception, late anti-retroviral therapy (ART) start in women diagnosed but untreated at conception and detectable viral load (VL) at delivery in women on antenatal ART) in native and migrant women using multivariable logistic regression models. Results Data included 9421 (79.9%) migrant women, mainly from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA); 4134 migrant women were diagnosed in the current pregnancy, often (48.6%) presenting with CD4 count <350 cells/µl. Being a migrant was associated with HIV diagnosis in late pregnancy [OR for SSA vs. native women, 2.12 (95% CI 1.67, 2.69)] but not with late ART start if diagnosed but not on ART at conception, or with detectable VL at delivery once on ART. Conclusions Migrant women were more likely to be diagnosed in late pregnancy but once on ART virological response was good. Good access to antenatal care enables the implementation of PMTCT protocols and optimises both maternal and children health outcomes generally.
Estimation of seroprevalence of HIV, hepatitis B and C virus and syphilis among blood donors in the hospital of Aïoun, Mauritania

Introduction To estimating the seroprevalence of HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis among blood donors in the Aïoun hospital. Methods This is a retrospective study from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2015. Results On the five-year study period, 1,123 donors were collected. Of these, 182 were HIV-positive, an overall prevalence of 16.2% with predominance in male with a sex ratio Man/Woman of 5.2. The average age of donors was 32.7 ± 10 years (range 17-73 years). The most represented that age group 21-30 years (40.5%). The seroprevalence found were 1.2% for HIV, 11.8% for HBV, HCV 0.2% and 3% for syphilis. Co-infection was found in 0.7% of which 0.5% of dual HIV HBV/Syphilis and 0.2% in HBV/HIV. Conclusion The transmission of infectious agents related to transfusion represents the greatest threat to transfusion safety of the recipient. Therefore, a rigorous selection and screening of blood donors are highly recommended to ensure blood safety for the recipient.
Mobile Interventional Stroke Teams Lead to Faster Treatment Times for Thrombectomy in Large Vessel Occlusion

Background and Purpose— Endovascular recanalization treatment for acute ischemic stroke is a complex, time-sensitive intervention. Trip-and-treat is an interhospital service delivery model that has not previously been evaluated in the literature and consists of a shared mobile interventional stroke team that travels to primary stroke centers to provide on-site interventional capability. We compared treatment times between the trip-and-treat model and the traditional drip-and-ship model. Methods— We performed a retrospective analysis on 86 consecutive eligible patients with acute ischemic stroke secondary to large vessel occlusion who received endovascular treatment at 4 hospitals in Manhattan. Patients were divided into 2 cohorts: trip-and-treat (n=39) and drip-and-ship (n=47). The primary outcome was initial door-to-puncture time, defined as the time between arrival at any hospital and arterial puncture. We also recorded and analyzed the times of last known well, IV-tPA (intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator) administration, transfer, and reperfusion. Results— Mean initial door-to-puncture time was 143 minutes for trip-and-treat and 222 minutes for drip-and-ship (P<0.0001). Although there was a trend in longer puncture-to-recanalization times for trip-and-treat (P=0.0887), initial door-to-recanalization was nonetheless 79 minutes faster for trip-and-treat (P<0.0001). There was a trend in improved admission-to-discharge change in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale for trip-and-treat compared with drip-and-ship (P=0.0704). Conclusions— Compared with drip-and-ship, the trip-and-treat model demonstrated shorter treatment times for endovascular therapy in our series. The trip-and-treat model offers a valid alternative to current interhospital stroke transfers in urban environments.
Shouldnt it be breakfunch? A quantitative analysis of blend structure in English

The present paper investigates the word-formation process of blending in English. Following a brief review of several previous classificatory studies, the paper analyzes the orthographic and phonemic structure of blends on a quantitative basis. The main factors to be discussed are (i) the amount of information each source word contributes (following Kaunisto 2000a, 2000b) and (ii) the similarity of the source words to the blend. Several points of critique concerning previous analyses are raised and improved upon by introducing reliable ways of operationalization and statistical test. ing. The results show that the amount of material contributed by the words is determined by the degree of recognizability of the source words and that the similarity of source words to the blend plays a vital role in blend formation. The paper concludes by further validating these results on the basis of a comparison of intentional blends to speech-error blends and pointing out potentially rewarding avenues of further research that is currently being conducted.
Positive and negative affectivity as risk factors for heavy drinking in the second half of life: a prospective cohort study

Aims To estimate the prospective relations between levels of propensity to experience positive affect (PA) and propensity to experience negative affect (NA) and risk of heavy drinking in a cohort of Norwegians aged 40–80 years. Design Clustered sampling was used to draw Norwegians aged 40–79 years in 2002/03 (t1). The relationship between PA and NA measured at t1 and heavy drinking measured in 2007/08 (t2) was estimated with random‐intercept logistic regression. Setting Norway. Participants A total of 2142 (44.0% men) who consumed mean = 3.07 [standard deviation (SD) = 3.15] UK units of alcohol on average per week and were intoxicated less than once per week at t1. Measures The Brief Measure of Positive and Negative Affect, quantity–frequency measure of alcohol use and frequency of drinking to intoxication. Heavy drinking at t2 (> 14 units per week and/or intoxication ≥ once per week) was regressed on PA and NA at t1. Findings Controlling for alcohol consumption, gender, age, income and level of education (at t1) and change in PA and NA, there was little evidence for an association between level of PA and heavy drinking [odds ratio (OR) = 0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.71, 1.29, Bayes factor = 0.15]. The level of NA at t1 was associated with greater risk of heavy drinking at t2 (OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.02, 1.93). Conclusion There is little evidence for an association between the propensity to experience positive affect and heavy drinking among Norwegians aged 40–80 years. Norwegian adults in the second half of life with a high propensity to experience negative affect are at greater risk of heavy drinking approximately 5 years later than those with a low propensity to experience negative affect.
Cortical dynamics of disfluency in adults who stutter

Stuttering is a disorder of speech production whose origins have been traced to the central nervous system. One of the factors that may underlie stuttering is aberrant neural miscommunication within the speech motor network. It is thus argued that disfluency (any interruption in the forward flow of speech) in adults who stutter (AWS) could be associated with anomalous cortical dynamics. Aberrant brain activity has been demonstrated in AWS in the absence of overt disfluency, but recording neural activity during disfluency is more challenging. The paradigm adopted here took an important step that involved overt reading of long and complex speech tokens under continuous EEG recording. Anomalies in cortical dynamics preceding disfluency were assessed by subtracting out neural activity for fluent utterances from their disfluent counterparts. Differences in EEG spectral power involving alpha, beta, and gamma bands, as well as anomalies in phase‐coherence involving the gamma band, were observed prior to the production of the disfluent utterances. These findings provide novel evidence for compromised cortical dynamics that directly precede disfluency in AWS.