Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tailoring the Mechanical Properties of Tissue Engineering Scaffolds made from Decellularized Cartilage

Due to its limited regeneration capacity, articular cartilage defects are considered a frequent clinical problem. Initial cartilage defects, if left untreated, will progress in severity over time and can eventually lead to degenerative joint diseases such as osteoarthritis. Hence, orthopedic surgeons would like to aim to treat cartilage defects early on to prevent further damage. Healthy articular cartilage consists of hyaline cartilage which assures its proper function. However, the major drawback of current treatments such as Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation or Microfracture is that they cannot guide the formation of a pure hyaline cartilage. Following current treatments a fibrocartilage or a mixture of fibroand hyaline cartilage fills the defect in the place of hyaline cartilage. Fibrocartilage has the disadvantage that it degrades over time due to its inferior mechanical properties compared to hyaline cartilage. To solve this issue, future treatments should focus on creating pure hyaline cartilage. Recently, it was hypothesized that one possibility to engineer pure hyaline cartilage is the production of scaffolds which mimic the mechanical properties and zonal structure of native cartilage. The overall goal with my Ph.D. project is the development of a scaffold based on decellularised articular cartilage, which has zone-specific mechanical properties to induce zonal lineage commitment in chondro-progenitors. The Ph.D. project was divided into three major sections. In the first section, the zonal mechanical properties of human articular cartilage were measured by instrumented indentation which was information crucial to targeting the appropriate properties in scaffolds. This resulted in finding a depth-dependent mechanical property gradient. In the second section, a decellularisation method involving supercritical carbon dioxide in combination with a CO2-philic detergent was developed that could overcome the limitations of existing complex and time-consuming protocols to decellularise articular cartilage. Using this method, bovine articular cartilage was successfully decellularised while important cell adhesion molecules were maintained. The high matrix density of articular cartilage makes cell infiltration challenging. For that reason, the articular cartilage was processed into a porous scaffold, in the third section of this thesis. The porous scaffold was produced by pepsin-digestion of the decellularised cartilage, lyophilization and covalent
Structure and Corrosion Resistance of Cerium-Oxide Films on AZ31 as Deposited by High-Power Ultrasound Supported Conversion Chemistry

In the present study a conversion layer mainly composed by ceria oxide was prepared by means of a novel ultrasound assisted coating process. The formation of a conversion layer on top of the Mg alloy provides physical barrier properties improving the corrosion protection. In addition the incorporation of cerium oxide within the coating enables the formation of a protective layer on the pores and defect inhibiting localized corrosion. The chemical composition of the conversion layer was evaluated by means of Raman spectros-copy, FT-IR spectroscopy and XPS. The prepared porous films were rich in Ce4+ and featured a very low content of oxygen deficient cerium oxide. FE-SEM measurements were performed in order to assess the morphology of the prepared coating revealing homogeneous and uniform surfaces. Self-repair ability was verified by monitoring capacitance of the system after polarization by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Additional, Raman spectroscopic measurements showed presence of cerium ions in defect sites which may suggest self-repair mechanism.
On the evolution of Lehman's Laws

In this brief paper, we honor the contributions of the late Prof. Manny Lehman to the study of software evolution. We do so by means of a kind of evolutionary case study: First, we discuss his background in engineering and explore how this helped to shape his views on software systems and their development; next, we discuss the laws of software evolution that he postulated based on his industrial experiences; and finally, we examine how the nature of software systems and their development are undergoing radical change, and we consider what this means for future evolutionary studies of software. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of nanolubricant particles’ size on flank wear in hard turning

ABSTRACT This paper presents the effects of cutting speed, nanoparticles’ size, and their concentration in water-based TiO2 nanofluid on the magnitude of tool flank wear and tool wear rate. The types of nanoparticles and base fluid, nanoparticle size, and nanoparticle concentration can affect the tribological and heat transfer properties of nanofluids, and thereupon, these parameters can affect the cutting forces and temperatures during the metal cutting process, thereby affecting tool wear and nanolubricant consumption. According to the achieved results, with an increase in the size of nanoparticles from 10 to 50 nm, the average decrease in cutting tool flank wear reduces from 46.2% to 34.8%.
How do variations in seasonality affect population cycles?

Seasonality is an important component in many population systems, and factors such as latitude, altitude and proximity to the coastline affect the extent of the seasonal fluctuations. In this paper, we ask how changes in seasonal fluctuations impact on the population cycles. We use the Fennoscandian vole system as a case study, focusing on variations in the length of the breeding season. We use a predator–prey model that includes generalist and specialist predation alongside seasonal forcing. Using a combination of bifurcation analysis and direct simulations, we consider the effects of varying both the level of generalist predation and the length of the breeding season; these are the main changes that occur over a latitudinal gradient in Fennoscandia. We predict that varying the breeding season length leads to changes in the period of the multi-year cycles, with a higher period for shorter breeding season lengths. This concurs with the gradient of periodicity found in Fennoscandia. The Fennoscandian vole system is only one of many populations that are affected by geographical and temporal changes in seasonality; thus our results highlight the importance of considering these changes in other population systems.
Aggression, hyperactivity and platelet imipramine binding

We measured platelet 3H‐imipramine binding parameters in 16 subjects affected by different types of mental deficiency, all characterized by‐hyperactive and/or aggressive behaviour, and in 16 healthy controls. The patients had a lower maximum binding capacity than the controls, with no difference in Kd, irrespectively of the type of mental disorder. These findings suggest a link between 5‐HT disturbances, reflected by reduced imipramine binding sites, and behavioural dyscontrol, expressed as hyperactivity and aggression.
Computed tomography-fluoroscopy overlay evaluation during catheter ablation of left atrial arrhythmia.

AIMS Proper visualization of left atrial (LA) and pulmonary vein (PV) anatomy is of crucial importance during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. This two-centre study evaluated a new automatic computed tomography (CT)-fluoroscopy overlay system (EP navigator, Philips Medical Systems, Best, The Netherlands) and the accuracy of different registration methods. METHODS AND RESULTS Fifty-six consecutive patients (age: 56 +/- 14) with symptomatic AF underwent contrast CT of the LA/PV prior to ablation. Three registration methods were evaluated and validated by comparison with LA angiography: (i) catheter registration: the placement of catheters in identifiable anatomical structures; (ii) heart contour: based on aligning the fluoroscopy heart contours and the 3D-rendered CT volume; and (iii) spine registration: based on automatically aligning the segmented CT spine on fluoroscopy. Computed tomography segmentation was achieved in all but one patient due to motion artefacts. The mean duration of segmentation was 10 min and average registration lasted 7 min. Catheter and heart contour registration were highly accurate (discrepancy of 1.3 +/- 0.6 and 0.3 +/- 0.5 mm, respectively) when compared with spine registration (17 +/- 9 mm, P < 0.05). The EP navigator was helpful during trans-septal puncture, gave an internal view of the atria and allowed tracking of ablation lesions. CONCLUSION The EP navigator enabled accurate live integration of CT images and real-time fluoroscopy. Registration utilizing catheter placement or heart contours was stable and reliable.
The development of the tapeworm Diphyllobothrium latum (L. 1756)(Cestoda; Pseudophyllidea) in its definitive hosts, with special references to the growth patterns of D. dendriticum (Nitzsch, 1824) and D. ditremum (Creplin, 1827)

Summary When Diphyllobothrium latum develops from larva to adult in a definitive host, it first sheds the entire larval ‘body’ before growth of an adult strobila starts. This process of shedding off the entire larval abothrial extremity, piece by piece, takes about 48 h. By this time the larva has usually reached the anterior third of the small intestine of the host. D. dendriticum and D. ditremum develop quite differently, although exhibiting similar anterior migrations. In these two species the larvae develop directly into adults without the larval ‘bodyRsquo; first being shed. The implications of the observed differences in growth pattern between these three species of Diphyllobothrium to the classification of diphyllobothriid cestodes is discussed briefly.
A comparative study on the self‐assembly of an amyloid‐like peptide at water–solid interfaces and in bulk solutions

In the past years the self‐assembly of amyloid‐like peptides has attracted increasing attentions, because it is highly related to neurodegenerative diseases and has a potential for serving as nanomaterial to fabricate novel and useful nanostructures. In this paper, we focused on the role of interfacial conditions in the self‐assembly of an amyloid‐like peptide, termed Pep11. It was found that, when dissolved in bulk solutions, Pep11 formed into β‐sheet structures and assembled into long filaments in several hours, as revealed by Thioflavin T fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) morphology characterization, respectively. When the peptide solution was added onto a mica/HOPG substrate, peptide filaments with three preferred orientations with an angle of 60° to each other were formed immediately, as imaged in situ by atomic force microscopy (AFM). However, the kinetics in filament formation and the morphologies of the formed beta sheet either on HOPG and mica or in bulk solutions were quite different. These results indicate that the interfacial properties dramatically affect the peptide self‐assembly process. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:375–381, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ACCURATE SPECTROSCOPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF PROTONATED OXIRANE: A POTENTIAL PREBIOTIC SPECIES IN TITAN'S ATMOSPHERE

An accurate spectroscopic characterization of protonated oxirane has been carried out by means of state-of-the-art computational methods and approaches. The calculated spectroscopic parameters from our recent computational investigation of oxirane together with the corresponding experimental data available were used to assess the accuracy of our predicted rotational and IR spectra of protonated oxirane. We found an accuracy of about 10 cm−1 for vibrational transitions (fundamentals as well as overtones and combination bands) and, in relative terms, of 0.1% for rotational transitions. We are therefore confident that the spectroscopic data provided herein are a valuable support for the detection of protonated oxirane not only in Titan's atmosphere but also in the interstellar medium.
A biweekly mode in the equatorial Indian Ocean

[1] The National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, deployed moorings with several subsurface current meters at 0°, 93°E (in February 2000) and 0°, 83°E (in December 2000) in the eastern Indian Ocean. Observed meridional current at all depths has a 10- to 20-day (or biweekly) variability that is distinct from longer period (20- to 60-day) subseasonal variability. Lags between different instruments suggest the presence of groups of westward and vertically propagating biweekly waves with zonal wavelength in the range 2100 to 6100 km. We use an ocean model forced by high-resolution scatterometer wind stress to show that the observed biweekly variability is due to equatorially trapped mixed Rossby-gravity waves generated by subseasonal variability of winds. We demonstrate that quasi-biweekly fluctuations of surface meridional wind stress resonantly excite ocean waves with westward and upward phase propagation, with a typical period of 14 days and zonal wavelength of 3000–4500 km. The biweekly wave is associated with fluctuating upwelling/downwelling in the equatorial Indian Ocean, with amplitude of 2–3 m per day located 2–3 away from the equator. Possible reasons for eastward intensification of biweekly energy are discussed.
Long-Term Effects of Fire, Livestock Herbivory Removal, and Weather Variability in Texas Semiarid Savanna

Abstract We examined how the occurrence and structure of grasses and woody plants changed after 12 yr of a fire season manipulation and removal of livestock herbivores. Applying high intensity fires in the summer preserved the structural integrity of this semiarid live oak (Quercus virginiana Mill.) savanna while decreasing or eliminating numerous problematic plants in the understory and overstory, such as prickly pear cactus (Opuntia spp.), sacahuista (Nolina texana S. Watson), Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei J. Buchholz), Pinchot's juniper (J. pinchotii Sudw.), and honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa Torr.). In the less intense repeat winter burning treatments, undesirable woody plants were generally maintained at pretreatment levels in the overstory but all woody plants except Ashe juniper increased in the understory. Alternatively, areas excluded from fire in the control treatment rapidly transitioned from a grass-tree codominated savanna environment to one that is heavily dominated by woody plants. In the grass community, the most frequently occurring grass species in the winter burn treatment differed from summer burn and control treatments, whereas the summer burn treatment was not different from the control. Of the herbaceous plants, only little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium [Michx.] Nash) responded to fire treatments. Little bluestem increased in the winter burn treatment, remained fairly constant in the summer burn treatment, and decreased in the control. Other grasses varied largely as a function of annual weather variability, the removal of livestock, and legacy effects resulting from pre-existing variability. These findings suggest that fire can reduce or eliminate woody plant species that threaten the stability of live oak savannas while having little long-term effect on grasses desired by rangeland managers.
Blood Magnesium Levels in Migraine

Serum and erythrocyte magnesium levels were screened between attacks in patients with migraine without aura (n = 38) and with aura (n = 6), and for comparison in a group of patients suffering from chronic tension-type headache (n = 25) as well as a group of neurological, non-headache patients (n = 19). Serum magnesium levels were not significantly different between the four groups of patients. In contrast, magnesium in erythrocytes was on average significantly reduced in patients with migraine without aura compared to the other groups. It is hypothesized that this reduction might be due to an abnormal regulation of intracellular magnesium possibly reflecting at the periphery changes observed in the brain of migraineurs (8).
Stem Cells for the Heart, Are We There Yet?

Although several repair mechanisms have been described in the human heart, all fall too short to prevent clinical heart disease in most acute or chronic pathological cardiac conditions. Moreover, despite many breakthroughs in cardiovascular medicine, the complications of a myocardial infarction such as chronic heart failure remains a serious worldwide problem. Bone marrow stem cells could provide for a promising strategy to restore myocardial infarctions and prevent postinfarct congestive heart failure, because there is growing body of evidence that bone marrow stem cells, such as mesenchymal stem cells, can generate new cardiomyocytes in animals and humans. In this review, we will discuss important issues on stem cell therapy for cardiac regeneration after myocardial infarction, which might be of paramount importance when considering future human trials.
Hepatic Overexpression of ATP Synthase β Subunit Activates PI3K/Akt Pathway to Ameliorate Hyperglycemia of Diabetic Mice

ATP synthase β subunit (ATPSβ) had been previously shown to play an important role in controlling ATP synthesis in pancreatic β-cells. This study aimed to investigate the role of ATPSβ in regulation of hepatic ATP content and glucose metabolism in diabetic mice. ATPSβ expression and ATP content were both reduced in the livers of type 1 and type 2 diabetic mice. Hepatic overexpression of ATPSβ elevated cellular ATP content and ameliorated hyperglycemia of streptozocin-induced diabetic mice and db/db mice. ATPSβ overexpression increased phosphorylated Akt (pAkt) levels and reduced PEPCK and G6pase expression levels in the livers. Consistently, ATPSβ overexpression repressed hepatic glucose production in db/db mice. In cultured hepatocytes, ATPSβ overexpression increased intracellular and extracellular ATP content, elevated the cytosolic free calcium level, and activated Akt independent of insulin. The ATPSβ-induced increase in cytosolic free calcium and pAkt levels was attenuated by inhibition of P2 receptors. Notably, inhibition of calmodulin (CaM) completely abolished ATPSβ-induced Akt activation in liver cells. Inhibition of P2 receptors or CaM blocked ATPSβ-induced nuclear exclusion of forkhead box O1 in liver cells. In conclusion, a decrease in hepatic ATPSβ expression in the liver, leading to the attenuation of ATP-P2 receptor-CaM-Akt pathway, may play an important role in the progression of diabetes.
Climbing Fiber Burst Size and Olivary Sub-threshold Oscillations in a Network Setting

The inferior olivary nucleus provides one of the two main inputs to the cerebellum: the so-called climbing fibers. Activation of climbing fibers is generally believed to be related to timing of motor commands and/or motor learning. Climbing fiber spikes lead to large all-or-none action potentials in cerebellar Purkinje cells, overriding any other ongoing activity and silencing these cells for a brief period of time afterwards. Empirical evidence shows that the climbing fiber can transmit a short burst of spikes as a result of an olivary cell somatic spike, potentially increasing the information being transferred to the cerebellum per climbing fiber activation. Previously reported results from in vitro studies suggested that the information encoded in the climbing fiber burst is related to the occurrence of the spike relative to the ongoing sub-threshold membrane potential oscillation of the olivary cell, i.e. that the phase of the oscillation is reflected in the size of the climbing fiber burst. We used a detailed three-compartmental model of an inferior olivary cell to further investigate the possible factors determining the size of the climbing fiber burst. Our findings suggest that the phase-dependency of the burst size is present but limited and that charge flow between soma and dendrite is a major determinant of the climbing fiber burst. From our findings it follows that phenomena such as cell ensemble synchrony can have a big effect on the climbing fiber burst size through dendrodendritic gap-junctional coupling between olivary cells.
Nanodevice Arrays for Peripheral Nerve Fascicle Activation Using Ultrasound Energy-Harvesting

We propose the use of wireless, energy harvesting, implanted nanodevice arrays with electrodes for selective stimulation of peripheral nerves in the human body. We calculate the input ultrasound energy and harvested power for single fixed-size nanowire-based nanodevices at different tissue depths and compare these with the current and voltage levels required for peripheral neural stimulation. We model the dimensioning of arrays of nanodevices, embedded in biocompatible tissue patches, to meet these neural stimulation requirements. Selectivity of activation of particular nerve bundles requires that the output voltage and current of the array can be varied to increase or decrease penetration into the neural tissue. This variation can be achieved by changing the energized area of the array and/or by decreasing the incident ultrasound power. However, the array must be implanted horizontally relative to the incident ultrasound as any tilting of the nanodevices will reduce the harvested energy. The proposed approach provides a longer-term implant solution for nerve stimulation that allows the patient greater freedom of movement than with embedded tethered electrodes.
beta2-adrenergic cAMP signaling is uncoupled from phosphorylation of cytoplasmic proteins in canine heart.

BACKGROUND Recent studies of beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) subtype signaling in in vitro preparations have raised doubts as to whether the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling is activated in the same manner in response to beta2-AR versus beta1-AR stimulation. METHODS AND RESULTS The present study compared, in the intact dog, the magnitude and characteristics of chronotropic, inotropic, and lusitropic effects of cAMP accumulation, PKA activation, and PKA-dependent phosphorylation of key effector proteins in response to beta-AR subtype stimulation. In addition, many of these parameters and L-type Ca2+ current (ICa) were also measured in single canine ventricular myocytes. The results indicate that although the cAMP/PKA-dependent phosphorylation cascade activated by beta1-AR stimulation could explain the resultant modulation of cardiac function, substantial beta2-AR-mediated chronotropic, inotropic, and lusitropic responses occurred in the absence of PKA activation and phosphorylation of nonsarcolemmal proteins, including phospholamban, troponin I, C protein, and glycogen phosphorylase kinase. However, in single canine myocytes, we found that beta2-AR-stimulated increases in both ICa and contraction were abolished by PKA inhibition. Thus, the beta2-AR-directed cAMP/PKA signaling modulates sarcolemmal L-type Ca2+ channels but does not regulate PKA-dependent phosphorylation of cytoplasmic proteins. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that the dissociation of beta2-AR signaling from cAMP regulatory systems is only apparent and that beta2-AR-stimulated cAMP/PKA signaling is uncoupled from phosphorylation of nonsarcolemmal regulatory proteins involved in excitation-contraction coupling.