Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Friction Stir Welded AA2024-T3 Aluminum Alloy

AA2024-T3 Aluminum alloy plates of 3 mm thickness were friction stir butt welded at a constant welding speed of 50 mm/min and rotation speeds of 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1250, and 1500 min � 1 . Effects of rotation speed on microstructures, hardness distributions, and tensile properties of the joints were investigated. Equiaxed grain size increased with increasing rotation speed till 1000 min � 1 of rotation speed. Increase of rotation speed more than 1000 min � 1 brought about no significant increase of grain size in the stir zone. Also, increasing rotation speed resulted in finer and more homogenous distributions of second phase particles in the stir zone. Hardness increased both in the stir zone and thermo mechanically affected zone as the rotation speed increased and reached to that of base metal. Kissing bond-free joints were fractured at the heat affected zone on the retreating side and a maximum tensile strength of the joints was 402 MPa which was achieved at 1250 min � 1 of rotation speed. The joint efficiency was 88%.
Physical activity and obesity: what we know and what we need to know*

Creating a negative energy balance by decreasing caloric consumption and increasing physical activity is a common strategy used to treat obesity. A large number of review and original research papers have considered the role of physical activity in weight loss and maintenance. However, their conclusions are at times conflicting. In this review, we have critically evaluated the findings of systematic reviews and meta‐analyses and supplemented their conclusions with recently published, high‐quality clinical trials. We have eliminated studies that were methodologically flawed in an attempt to reduce the ambiguity in the literature. We further sought, through selective review of these publications, to isolate the effects of various types of exercise, independent of dietary interventions, to further clarify their independent contributions. Thus, our review describes (i) combined calorie restriction with physical activity interventions, (ii) physical activity interventions without calorie restriction and (iii) the role of physical activity on maintenance of weight loss. Through this critical examination of the literature, we have provided conclusions to address certain ambiguities regarding the role of physical activity in obesity treatment that will inform clinical practice. We have also identified several long‐standing gaps in knowledge that will inform future research.
Kinematic Flexibility Analysis: Hydrogen Bonding Patterns Impart a Spatial Hierarchy of Protein Motion

Elastic network models (ENMs) and constraint-based, topological rigidity analysis are two distinct, coarse-grained approaches to study conformational flexibility of macromolecules. In the two decades since their introduction, both have contributed significantly to insights into protein molecular mechanisms and function. However, despite a shared purpose of these approaches, the topological nature of rigidity analysis, and thereby the absence of motion modes, has impeded a direct comparison. Here, we present an alternative, kinematic approach to rigidity analysis, which circumvents these drawbacks. We introduce a novel protein hydrogen bond network spectral decomposition, which provides an orthonormal basis for collective motions modulated by noncovalent interactions, analogous to the eigenspectrum of normal modes. The zero modes decompose proteins into rigid clusters identical to those from topological rigidity, while nonzero modes rank protein motions by their hydrogen bond collective energy penalty. Our kinematic flexibility analysis bridges topological rigidity theory and ENM, enabling a detailed analysis of motion modes obtained from both approaches. Analysis of a large, structurally diverse data set revealed that collectivity of protein motions, reported by the Shannon entropy, is significantly reduced for rigidity theory compared to normal mode approaches. Strikingly, kinematic flexibility analysis suggests that the hydrogen bonding network encodes a protein-fold specific, spatial hierarchy of motions, which goes nearly undetected in ENM. This hierarchy reveals distinct motion regimes that rationalize experimental and simulated protein stiffness variations. Kinematic motion modes highly correlate with reported crystallographic B factors and molecular dynamics simulations of adenylate kinase. A formal expression for changes in free energy derived from the spectral decomposition indicates that motions across nearly 40% of modes obey enthalpy-entropy compensation. Taken together, our results suggest that hydrogen bond networks have evolved to modulate protein structure and dynamics, which can be efficiently probed by kinematic flexibility analysis.
Large Deviations Properties of Maximum Entropy Markov Chains from Spike Trains

We consider the maximum entropy Markov chain inference approach to characterize the collective statistics of neuronal spike trains, focusing on the statistical properties of the inferred model. To find the maximum entropy Markov chain, we use the thermodynamic formalism, which provides insightful connections with statistical physics and thermodynamics from which large deviations properties arise naturally. We provide an accessible introduction to the maximum entropy Markov chain inference problem and large deviations theory to the community of computational neuroscience, avoiding some technicalities while preserving the core ideas and intuitions. We review large deviations techniques useful in spike train statistics to describe properties of accuracy and convergence in terms of sampling size. We use these results to study the statistical fluctuation of correlations, distinguishability, and irreversibility of maximum entropy Markov chains. We illustrate these applications using simple examples where the large deviation rate function is explicitly obtained for maximum entropy models of relevance in this field.
Efficacy and safety of frontline rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and prednisone plus bortezomib (VR-CAP) or vincristine (R-CHOP) in a subset of newly diagnosed mantle cell lymphoma patients medically eligible for transplantation in the randomized, phase 3 LYM-3002 study

Abstract This post-hoc subanalysis of the LYM-3002 phase 3 study assessed the efficacy and safety of substituting vincristine in rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and prednisone (R-CHOP; n = 42) for bortezomib (VR-CAP; n = 38) in a subgroup of 80 mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) patients aged <60 years who did not receive stem cell transplantation (SCT) despite medical eligibility. Complete response (CR)/unconfirmed CR (CRu) rates were 67 vs. 39% (odds ratio 3.69 [95% CI(confidence interval): 1.31, 10.41]; p = . 012). After 40 months median follow-up, median progression-free survival by independent radiology committee with VR-CAP vs. R-CHOP was 32.6 vs. 12.0 months (hazard ratio (HR) 0.59 [95% CI: 0.31, 1.13]; p = . 108); median overall survival was not reached vs. 47.3 months (HR 0.81 [95% CI: 0.33, 1.96]; p = .634). Adverse events included neutropenia (92/76%), thrombocytopenia (70/10%) and leukopenia (65/50%). VR-CAP represents a potential alternative to R-CHOP in combined and/or alternating regimens for younger, SCT-eligible MCL patients.
Control of Graphene's Properties by Reversible Hydrogenation: Evidence for Graphane

Although graphite is known as one of the most chemically inert materials, we have found that graphene, a single atomic plane of graphite, can react with atomic hydrogen, which transforms this highly conductive zero-overlap semimetal into an insulator. Transmission electron microscopy reveals that the obtained graphene derivative (graphane) is crystalline and retains the hexagonal lattice, but its period becomes markedly shorter than that of graphene. The reaction with hydrogen is reversible, so that the original metallic state, the lattice spacing, and even the quantum Hall effect can be restored by annealing. Our work illustrates the concept of graphene as a robust atomic-scale scaffold on the basis of which new two-dimensional crystals with designed electronic and other properties can be created by attaching other atoms and molecules.
Imagined anatomy and other lessons from learner verification interviews with Mexican immigrant women.

OBJECTIVE To identify clearer, learner-preferred, educational approaches for aspects of cervical cancer education found to be difficult to understand for low-literacy, Mexican, immigrant women. SETTING Kansas City, Kansas; Garden City, Kansas; San Antonio, Texas. PARTICIPANTS Forty-five Mexican immigrant women in the United States for 5 years or less, ninth grade education or less, and predominantly Spanish speaking. METHODS Interviews were conducted to evaluate preference and best comprehension among options for specific cervical cancer educational elements, including reproductive system terminology, the purpose of Pap tests and meaning of results, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), and illustrations of anatomy and Pap procedure. RESULTS We identified terminology, translation, content, and illustrations preferred by participants and areas of inadequate existing knowledge needed for comprehension of concepts being taught. Analogies, illustrations, and introduction of medical terms in conjunction with equivalent common Spanish terms were effective ways of building bridges from existing knowledge to new knowledge. Participants desired detailed information and shared new information with others CONCLUSION We learned the importance of assessing patients' existing body knowledge. The detail desired by participants challenged common simplification approaches to teaching low-literacy learners. Participant willingness to share information challenged ideas of cultural taboo. Results provide evidence for more effective delivery of women's health education and call for further research on best approaches to teaching low-literacy learners.
APOE &egr;4/&egr;4 diminishes neurotrophic function of human iPSC-derived astrocytes

The ε4 allele of the APOE gene encoding apolipoprotein E (apoE) is a strong genetic risk factor for aging-related cognitive decline as well as late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) compared to the common ε3 allele. In the central nervous system, apoE is produced primarily by astrocytes and functions in transporting lipids including cholesterol to support neuronal homeostasis and synaptic integrity. Although mouse models and corresponding primary cells have provided valuable tools for studying apoE isoform-dependent functions, recent studies have shown that human astrocytes have a distinct gene expression profile compare with rodent astrocytes. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from individuals carrying specific gene variants or mutations provide an alternative cellular model more relevant to humans upon differentiation into specific cell types. Thus, we reprogramed human skin fibroblasts from cognitively normal individuals carrying APOE ε3/ε3 or ε4/ε4 genotype to iPSC clones and further differentiated them into neural progenitor cells and then astrocytes. We found that human iPSC-derived astrocytes secreted abundant apoE with apoE4 lipoprotein particles less lipidated compared to apoE3 particles. More importantly, human iPSC-derived astrocytes were capable of promoting neuronal survival and synaptogenesis when co-cultured with iPSC-derived neurons with APOE ε4/ε4 astrocytes less effective in supporting these neurotrophic functions than those with APOE ε3/ε3 genotype. Taken together, our findings demonstrate APOE genotype-dependent effects using human iPSC-derived astrocytes and provide novel evidence that the human iPSC-based model system is a strong tool to explore how apoE isoforms contribute to neurodegenerative diseases.
cRGD inhibits vasculogenic mimicry formation by down-regulating uPA expression and reducing EMT in ovarian cancer

Vasculogenic minicry (VM), an alternative blood supply modality except to endothelial cells-mediated vascular network, is a potential therapeutic target for ovarian cancer due to VM correlated with poor prognosis in ovarian cancer patients. Accelerated extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation is prerequisite for VM formation induced by epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Previous reports demonstrate uPA has ability to degrade ECM thereby promoting tumor angiogenesis. Also, exogenous cRGD sequence enables to modulate uPA expression, attenuate EMT and suppress endothelial-lined channels. Till now, the correlation of uPA and VM formation and the effect of exogenous cRGD on VM formation remain unknown. Herein, we validate uPA expression is positively correlated with VM formation in ovarian cancer tissues (90 cases) and ovarian cancer cells (SKOV-3, OVCAR-3 and A2780 cells). In particular, silencing uPA experiments show that down-regulated uPA causes notable decrease for the complete channels formed by SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3 cells. Mechanism study discloses uPA promotes VM formation by regulating AKT/mTOR/MMP-2/Laminin5γ2 signal pathway. The result demonstrates uPA may serve as therapeutic target of VM for ovarian cancer. Also, it is found exogenous cRGD enables to inhibit VM formation in ovarian cancer via not only down-regulating uPA expression but also reducing EMT. Exogenous cRGD may be a promising angiogenic inhibitor for ovarian cancer therapy due to its inhibiting effect on VM formation as well as endothelial cells-mediated vascular network.
Fat suppression in magnetic resonance imaging of the head and neck region: is the two-point DIXON technique superior to spectral fat suppression?

OBJECTIVE The aim of our study was to systematically compare two-point Dixon fat suppression (FS) and spectral FS techniques in contrast enhanced imaging of the head and neck region. METHODS Three independent readers analysed coronal T1 weighted images recorded after contrast medium injection with Dixon and spectral FS techniques with regard to FS homogeneity, motion artefacts, lesion contrast, image sharpness and overall image quality. RESULTS 85 patients were prospectively enrolled in the study. Images generated with Dixon-FS technique were of higher overall image quality and had a more homogenous FS over the whole field of view compared with the standard spectral fat-suppressed images (p < 0.001). Concerning motion artefacts, flow artefacts, lesion contrast and image sharpness no statistically significant difference was observed. CONCLUSION The Dixon-FS technique is superior to the spectral technique due to improved homogeneity of FS and overall image quality while maintaining lesion contrast. Advances in knowledge: T1 with Dixon FS technique offers, compared to spectral FS, significantly improved FS homogeneity and over all image quality in imaging of the head and neck region.
Evaluation of the effects of a plasma activated medium on cancer cells

The interaction of low temperature plasma with liquids is a relevant topic of study to the field of plasma medicine. This is because cells and tissues are normally surrounded or covered by biological fluids. Therefore, the chemistry induced by the plasma in the aqueous state becomes crucial and usually dictates the biological outcomes. This process became even more important after the discovery that plasma activated media can be useful in killing various cancer cell lines. Here, we report on the measurements of concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, a species known to have strong biological effects, produced by application of plasma to a minimum essential culture medium. The activated medium is then used to treat SCaBER cancer cells. Results indicate that the plasma activated medium can kill the cancer cells in a dose dependent manner, retain its killing effect for several hours, and is as effective as apoptosis inducing drugs.
Coral-Bacterial Communities before and after a Coral Mass Spawning Event on Ningaloo Reef

Bacteria associated with three coral species, Acropora tenuis, Pocillopora damicornis and Tubastrea faulkneri, were assessed before and after coral mass spawning on Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia. Two colonies of each species were sampled before and after the mass spawning event and two additional samples were collected for P. damicornis after planulation. A variable 470 bp region of the 16 S rRNA gene was selected for pyrosequencing to provide an understanding of potential variations in coral-associated bacterial diversity and community structure. Bacterial diversity increased for all coral species after spawning as assessed by Chao1 diversity indicators. Minimal changes in community structure were observed at the class level and data at the taxonomical level of genus incorporated into a PCA analysis indicated that despite bacterial diversity increasing after spawning, coral-associated community structure did not shift greatly with samples grouped according to species. However, interesting changes could be detected from the dataset; for example, α-Proteobacteria increased in relative abundance after coral spawning and particularly the Roseobacter clade was found to be prominent in all coral species, indicating that this group may be important in coral reproduction.
Modelling of Strength and Stiffness Behaviour of Natural Fibre Reinforced Polypropylene Composites

The mechanical behaviour (strength and stiffness) of natural fibre reinforced thermoplastics is investigated on the example of an injection moulded sisal-polypropylene system. An analytical model based on the rule of mixtures is developed to predict the mechanical behaviour of such composites. Considering interfacial characteristics this model accounts for the different modes of load transfer between matrix and fibre and their changeover. Close agreement between model and experimental results was achieved at low fibre contents (below 20 wt.%) as well as at higher contents (exceeding 40 wt.%). The model was finally verified against the experimental data and against available literature results.
Immunization with A91 peptide or copolymer‐1 reduces the production of nitric oxide and inducible nitric oxide synthase gene expression after spinal cord injury

Immunization with neurally derived peptides (INDP) boosts the action of an autoreactive immune response that has been shown to induce neuroprotection in several neurodegenerative diseases, especially after spinal cord (SC) injury. This strategy provides an environment that promotes neuronal survival and tissue preservation. The mechanisms by which this autoreactive response exerts its protective effects is not totally understood at the moment. A recent study showed that INDP reduces lipid peroxidation. Lipid peroxidation is a neurodegenerative phenomenon caused by the increased production of reactive nitrogen species such as nitric oxide (NO). It is possible that INDP could be interfering with NO production. To test this hypothesis, we examined the effect of INDP on the amount of NO produced by glial cells when cocultured with autoreactive T cells. We also evaluated the amount of NO and the expression of the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) at the injury site of SC‐injured animals. The neural‐derived peptides A91 and Cop‐1 were used to immunize mice and rats with SC injury. In vitro studies showed that INDP significantly reduces the production of NO by glial cells. This observation was substantiated by in vivo experiments demonstrating that INDP decreases the amount of NO and iNOS gene expression at the site of injury. The present study provides substantial evidence on the inhibitory effect of INDP on NO production, helpingour understanding of the mechanisms through which protective autoimmunity promotes neuroprotection. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Birchwood biochar as partial carbon black replacement in styrene–butadiene rubber composites

Birchwood feedstock was used to make slow pyrolysis biochar that contained 89% carbon and <2% ash. This biochar was blended with carbon black (CB) as filler for styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR). Composites made from blended fillers of 25/75 biochar/CB were equivalent to or superior to their 100% CB analogs in terms of tensile strength and toughness at all filler concentrations. Composites made with 50/50 biochar/CB were equivalent to or superior to CB composites in tensile strength, elongation, and toughness properties at total filler concentrations up to 30%. These results demonstrate the potential to use renewable birchwood biochar to replace up to half the CB in certain SBR composites.
Ion-sensitive in situ hydrogels of natamycin bilosomes for enhanced and prolonged ocular pharmacotherapy: in vitro permeability, cytotoxicity and in vivo evaluation

Abstract Delivery of therapeutic molecules into the deeper ocular compartments is mainly hampered by short precorneal residence and limited transmembrane permeability of topically administered drugs. Hence, the current study was undertaken to fabricate the ion-sensitive in situ gels of natamycin (NT) bilosomes (NB) for efficient ocular delivery. The effect of cholesterol and sodium taurocholate proportion on the properties of the bilosomes were studied and the formulation with better physicochemical properties was optimized and utilized to derive the in situ gelling system (IG). The impact of type/composition of gelling agent on the formation and characteristics of the hydrogel was investigated. The hydrogel formed from IG with 0.3% w/v gellan gum showed optimal viscoelastic and adhesive characteristics. The ocular safety and cytocompatibility of NB and its IG was confirmed by corneal histology and in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation. A 6- to 9-fold enhancement in the transcorneal flux of NB demonstrated efficient ocular penetration of bilosomes. Moreover, the superior mean dose normalized NT levels in the ocular tissues of rabbits treated with optimized NB and IG illustrated the effectiveness of bilosomes loaded ion-sensitive in situ hydrogels as a potential platform for the improved and prolonged ocular pharmacotherapy.
Revascularization with percutaneous coronary intervention does not affect androgen status in males with chronic stable angina pectoris

There is a clear association between low serum testosterone and coronary artery disease (CAD) in men. Hypotestosteronaemia is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and a quarter of men with CAD are biochemically hypogonadal. Amongst those with CAD, hypotestosteronaemia is associated with increased mortality. Testosterone vasodilates coronary arteries, and exogenous testosterone reduces ischaemia. Whether hypotestosteronaemia is a cause or a consequence of CAD remains unanswered. The aim of this prospective observational study was to investigate whether coronary revascularization affected androgen status in men with stable angina pectoris. Twenty five men (mean age 62.7, SD 9.18) with angiographically significant CAD and symptomatic angina underwent full coronary revascularization by percutaneous coronary intervention. Androgen status and symptoms of angina, stress, depression and sexual function were assessed before, and at one and 6 months after the coronary revascularization. All patients underwent complete revascularization which was associated with a significant reduction in angina symptoms and ischaemia. No significant difference was seen in total testosterone (11.33 nmol/L baseline; 12.56, 1 month post; 13.04 at 6 months; p = 0.08). A significant and sustained rise in sex hormone‐binding globulin was seen (33.99 nm/L baseline; 36.11 nm/L 1 month post PCI; 37.94 nm/L at 6 months; p = 0.03) Overall, there was no significant alteration in any other marker of androgen status including free testosterone or bioavailable testosterone. There was no change in symptoms of anxiety, depression or sexual function. Coronary revascularization has no sustained effect on androgen status. This supports the hypothesis that hypotestosteronaemia is not a consequence of angina pectoris or myocardial ischaemia.