Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mechanical properties of polypropylene composites filled with the straw of oilseed rape infested by the fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Considerable quantities of residual oilseed rape straw are available as lignocellulosic fillers in composites of thermoplastic polymers. Composites manufactured from polypropylene filled with crushed oilseed rape straw have favourable mechanical properties and increased sound absorption. Unfortunately, the straw of oilseed rape is frequently infested with the fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, which causes sclerotinia stem rot. In studies carried out so far no attempts have been made to investigate effects of colonising microbes on the suitability of plants as a source of lignocellulose. The aim of this paper was to compare mechanical properties of polypropylene composites containing straw of oilseed rape with and without plant infestation by S. sclerotiorum. In order to obtain composites, parenchyma was removed from oilseed rape straw, which was subsequently ground to 1–2 mm sized particles and then, the technique of extrusion and injection moulding was employed with the addition of 30% of infested plant material using two winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) cultivars of different genetic backgrounds and plant growing habits. The following parameters were determined: maximal tensile strength, elongation at maximal strain, strength and elongation at rupture, strain at plasticity limit 0.2%, Young modulus, Izod impact strength as well as Brinell’s impact test. The performed investigations revealed that composites with the addition of the straw of oilseed rape infested with S. sclerotiorum had mechanical parameters comparable to those recorded in samples filled with healthy lignocellulosic material. It allows the application of plant fillers without the necessity of selection of straw obtained in field conditions.
Self perception and facial emotion perception of others in anorexia nervosa

Background: Whether individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) are able to accurately perceive emotions from faces of others is unclear. Furthermore, whether individuals with AN process images of their own face differently to healthy individuals has thus far not been investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate facial affect processing and the processing of one’s own face through measures of emotion identification, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and eyetracking. Methods: Twenty-four females with AN and 25 matched healthy control participants were presented with an implicit emotion processing task during fMRI and eyetracking, followed by an explicit emotion identification task. Results: The AN group were found to ‘hyperscan’ stimuli and avoided visually attending to salient features of their own face images. Results of the fMRI revealed increased activity to own face stimuli in AN in the right inferior and middle temporal gyri, and right lingual gyrus. AN participants were not found to display emotion identification deficits to the standard emotional face stimuli. Discussion: The findings are discussed in terms of increased anxiety to disorder-relevant stimuli in AN. Potential clinical implications are discussed in relation to the use of eyetracking techniques to improve the perception of self in AN.
Compaction of textile reinforcements for composites manufacturing. I: Review of experimental results

As new developments are brought to the group of manufacturing processes for composite parts known as liquid composites molding (LCM), the compaction behavior of the textile reinforcements is increasingly seen as an important parameter of the definition of these processes. The evolution of the permeability tensor of the reinforcements with time, the general kinetics of the manufacturing operations, and the modelization of these processes depend on a large extent on the compaction behavior of the reinforcements used, especially in flexible-wall RTM and autoclave molding. Also, more research efforts are devoted toward the development of a complete analytical model of the properties of heterogeneous textile reinforcements. In this paper the published experimental data related to the compaction and relaxation of random mats and woven reinforcements are gathered. Observed parameters are defined, which allow numerical comparisons of the experimental curves to be made, as well as the identification of general trends seen with most tested reinforcements. The effects of various processing parameters are identified, and relations to published analytical models of the mechanical properties of fibrous assemblies are discussed.
Three-dimensional localization of CENP-A suggests a complex higher order structure of centromeric chromatin

The histone H3 variant centromere protein A (CENP-A) is central to centromere formation throughout eukaryotes. A long-standing question in centromere biology has been the organization of CENP-A at the centromere and its implications for the structure of centromeric chromatin. In this study, we describe the three-dimensional localization of CENP-A at the inner kinetochore plate through serial-section transmission electron microscopy of human mitotic chromosomes. At the kinetochores of normal centromeres and at a neocentromere, CENP-A occupies a compact domain at the inner kinetochore plate, stretching across two thirds of the length of the constriction but encompassing only one third of the constriction width and height. Within this domain, evidence of substructure is apparent. Combined with previous chromatin immunoprecipitation results (Saffery, R., H. Sumer, S. Hassan, L.H. Wong, J.M. Craig, K. Todokoro, M. Anderson, A. Stafford, and K.H.A. Choo. 2003. Mol. Cell. 12:509–516; Chueh, A.C., L.H. Wong, N. Wong, and K.H.A. Choo. 2005. Hum. Mol. Genet. 14:85–93), our data suggest that centromeric chromatin is arranged in a coiled 30-nm fiber that is itself coiled or folded to form a higher order structure.
Requirement of Divalent Galactoside-binding Activity of Ecalectin/Galectin-9 for Eosinophil Chemoattraction*

We have previously isolated and cloned a novel eosinophil chemoattractant (ECA) from a human T-cell-derived expression library. This ECA, termed ecalectin, is a variant of human galectin-9, a member of a β-galactoside binding animal lectin family, which contains two conserved carbohydrate recognition domains (CRDs). In the present study, we addressed whether carbohydrate binding activity is required for the ECA activity of ecalectin and whether both CRDs are essential for this activity. Recombinant full-length wild-type ecalectin (ecalectin-WT) and N-terminal and C-terminal CRD (ecalectin-NT and -CT, respectively) were generated. All of these recombinant proteins exhibited affinity for lactose, a property shared by galectins, but ecalectin-WT exhibited substantially higher hemagglutination activities than ecalectin-NT and -CT. Furthermore, ecalectin-WT showed over 100-fold higher ECA activity than ecalectin-NT and -CT; combination of recombinant domain fragments did not reconstitute the ECA and hemagglutination activities of the full-length protein. ECA activity of ecalectin-WT was inhibited by lactose in a dose-dependent manner. Site-directed mutation of positions Arg65 of ecalectin-NT and Arg239 of ecalectin-CT to an aspartic acid residue resulted in the loss of both lactose-binding and ECA activities. We conclude that divalent galactoside-binding activity is required for eosinophil chemoattraction by ecalectin.
The Limits of Expectations-Based Reference Dependence

Theories of expectations-based reference-dependent preferences have provided a critical modeling innovation, incorporating a structured theory of the formation of reference points. An important prediction of these models is a monotone response in behavior to changes in expectations. To test such models we conduct a real-effort experiment manipulating expectations and examining consequences on effort provision. In contrast to the theory, we document substantial nonmonotonicities in the effort response to changing expectations. Our results provide some evidence on the limitations of expectations-based reference dependence.
DNA Barcodes for Nearctic Auchenorrhyncha (Insecta: Hemiptera)

Background Many studies have shown the suitability of sequence variation in the 5′ region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene as a DNA barcode for the identification of species in a wide range of animal groups. We examined 471 species in 147 genera of Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha drawn from specimens in the Canadian National Collection of Insects to assess the effectiveness of DNA barcoding in this group. Methodology/Principal Findings Analysis of the COI gene revealed less than 2% intra-specific divergence in 93% of the taxa examined, while minimum interspecific distances exceeded 2% in 70% of congeneric species pairs. Although most species are characterized by a distinct sequence cluster, sequences for members of many groups of closely related species either shared sequences or showed close similarity, with 25% of species separated from their nearest neighbor by less than 1%. Conclusions/Significance This study, although preliminary, provides DNA barcodes for about 8% of the species of this hemipteran suborder found in North America north of Mexico. Barcodes can enable the identification of many species of Auchenorrhyncha, but members of some species groups cannot be discriminated. Future use of DNA barcodes in regulatory, pest management, and environmental applications will be possible as the barcode library for Auchenorrhyncha expands to include more species and broader geographic coverage.
Prospective randomized comparison of onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) and abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport) in the treatment of forehead, glabellar, and periorbital wrinkles.

BACKGROUND There are several commercially available neurotoxins to improve facial aesthetics, but few prospective, randomized trials have been conducted without commercial support to compare these agents. OBJECTIVES The authors present the results of a study examining and comparing the effects of onabotulinumtoxinA (BoNT-ONA; Botox, Allergan, Inc., Irvine, California) and abobotulinumtoxinA (BoNT-ABO; Dysport, Ipsen Ltd, Slough, UK). METHODS The authors enrolled 53 patients in a prospective, randomized trial in which each patient received a dose of BoNT-ONA on one side of the upper face and BoNT-ABO on the other. The effects of each agent were monitored and recorded over 150 days according to each patient's ability to elevate the brow, wrinkle count (as measured by the Visia system; Canfield Imaging Systems, Fairfield, New Jersey), and assessment of Fitzpatrick wrinkle scale rankings by blinded graders. RESULTS Results showed no statistically significant differences between the two agents. Both agents yielded measurable improvements on wrinkles of the upper face at 150 days. CONCLUSIONS At the current pricing of the agents, BoNT-ABO offers a significant cost savings over BoNT-ONA, with a comparable efficacy. The effect of both drugs appears to be more prolonged than indicated in the current manufacturer guidelines.
Order-Free RNN with Visual Attention for Multi-Label Classification

We propose a recurrent neural network (RNN) based model for image multi-label classification. Our model uniquely integrates and learning of visual attention and Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) layers, which jointly learns the labels of interest and their co-occurrences, while the associated image regions are visually attended. Different from existing approaches utilize either model in their network architectures, training of our model does not require pre-defined label orders. Moreover, a robust inference process is introduced so that prediction errors would not propagate and thus affect the performance. Our experiments on NUS-WISE and MS-COCO datasets confirm the design of our network and its effectiveness in solving multi-label classification problems.
A Dynamic Approach to Rhythm in Language: Toward a Temporal Phonology

It is proposed that the theory of dynamical systems offers appropriate tools to model many phonological aspects of both speech production and perception. A dynamic account of speech rhythm is shown to be useful for description of both Japanese mora timing and English timing in a phrase repetition task. This orientation contrasts fundamentally with the more familiar symbolic approach to phonology, in which time is modeled only with sequentially arrayed symbols. It is proposed that an adaptive oscillator offers a useful model for perceptual entrainment (or `locking in') to the temporal patterns of speech production. This helps to explain why speech is often perceived to be more regular than experimental measurements seem to justify. Because dynamic models deal with real time, they also help us understand how languages can differ in their temporal detail---contributing to foreign accents, for example. The fact that languages differ greatly in their temporal detail suggests that these effects are not mere motor universals, but that dynamical models are intrinsic components of the phonological characterization of language.
BAFF and MyD88 signals promote a lupuslike disease independent of T cells

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by the production of autoantibodies. However, the underlying cause of disease appears to relate to defects in T cell tolerance or T cell help to B cells. Transgenic (Tg) mice overexpressing the cytokine B cell–activating factor of the tumor necrosis factor family (BAFF) develop an autoimmune disorder similar to SLE and show impaired B cell tolerance and altered T cell differentiation. We generated BAFF Tg mice that were completely deficient in T cells, and, surprisingly, these mice developed an SLE-like disease indistinguishable from that of BAFF Tg mice. Autoimmunity in BAFF Tg mice did, however, require B cell–intrinsic signals through the Toll-like receptor (TLR)–associated signaling adaptor MyD88, which controlled the production of proinflammatory autoantibody isotypes. TLR7/9 activation strongly up-regulated expression of transmembrane activator and calcium modulator and cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI), which is a receptor for BAFF involved in B cell responses to T cell–independent antigens. Moreover, BAFF enhanced TLR7/9 expression on B cells and TLR-mediated production of autoantibodies. Therefore, autoimmunity in BAFF Tg mice results from altered B cell tolerance, but requires TLR signaling and is independent of T cell help. It is possible that SLE patients with elevated levels of BAFF show a similar basis for disease.
Mechanics of amorphous polymers and polymer nanocomposites during high rate deformation

It has been suggested that a polymer's macroscopic mechanical response to a general loading case is governed by its ability to access various primary and secondary molecular mobilities. Specifically, under conditions of high strain rate, restricted secondary molecular motions are thought to bring about enhanced stiffness and strength. In accordance with this theory, an experimental protocol and associated analytical techniques were established to better understand the rateand temperature-dependent mechanical behavior of two exemplary amorphous polymers, PC and PMMA. The experiments included dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), as well as uniaxial compression tests over a wide range of strain rates. In both cases, the polymer exhibited a distinct transition in the rate-dependent yield behavior, under the same temperature/strain rate conditions as the observed viscoelastic 0-transition. Drawing off of previous research in the field of polymer mechanics, a new continuum-level constitutive model framework is proposed to account for the contributions of different molecular motions which become operational in different frequency/rate regimes. This model is shown to capture well the unique rate-dependent yield behavior of PC and PMMA, as well as the compressive stress-strain response under isothermal conditions. Through the rest of the thesis, additional features are integrated into the model to allow for more accurate predictions of mechanical response under high-rate, impact loading. Adiabatic conditions are captured by considering the heat evolved during dissipative plastic deformation. The corresponding temperature rise predicted by the model is corroborated by experimental measurements obtained via infra-red techniques during the split-Hopkinson bar test. In conjunction with the implementation of adiabatic heating, the model's kinematic framework is altered in order to also capture the effects of thermal expansion. Finally, drawing off of existing experimental data in the literature, the implementation of pressuredependence in the model is revised. In the final portion of this thesis, the generality of the experimental and theoretical methods is explored. The techniques are applied in the study of the rate-dependent mechanical behavior of a variety of polymer-based material systems, including a PC-POSS nanocomposite, homopolymer PVC, a plasticized PVC, and a PC-triptycene co-polymer. In every case, the methods garnered important insight into both macroscopic phenomena and the molecular mechanisms of deformation resistance. Thesis Supervisor: Mary C. Boyce Title: Kendall Family Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Evolution of Broadly Cross-Reactive HIV-1-Neutralizing Activity: Therapy-Associated Decline, Positive Association with Detectable Viremia, and Partial Restoration of B-Cell Subpopulations

ABSTRACT Little is known about the stability of HIV-1 cross-neutralizing responses. Taking into account the fact that neutralization breadth has been positively associated with plasma viral load, there is no explanation for the presence of broadly neutralizing responses in a group of patients on treatment with undetectable viremia. In addition, the B-cell profile responsible for broadly cross-neutralizing responses is unknown. Here we studied the evolution of neutralizing responses and the B-cell subpopulation distribution in a group of patients with broadly cross-reactive HIV-1-neutralizing activity. We studied neutralization breadth evolution in a group of six previously identified broadly cross-neutralizing patients and six control patients during a 6-year period with a previously described minipanel of recombinant viruses from five different subtypes. B-cell subpopulation distribution during the study was also determined by multiparametric flow cytometry. Broadly cross-neutralizing activity was transient in four broad cross-neutralizers and stable, up to 4.6 years, in the other two. In four out of five broad cross-neutralizers who initiated treatment, a neutralization breadth loss occurred after viremia had been suppressed for as much as 20 months. B-cell subpopulation analyses revealed a significant increase in the frequency of naive B cells in broadly cross-reactive samples, compared with samples with less neutralization breadth (increased from 44% to 62%). We also observed a significant decrease in tissue-like and activated memory B cells (decreased from 19% to 12% and from 17% to 9%, respectively). Our data suggest that HIV-1 broadly cross-neutralizing activity is variable over time and associated with detectable viremia and partial B-cell restoration.
Polymorphism in the RASGRF1 gene with high myopia: A meta-analysis

Purpose To evaluate the association between polymorphisms of RASGRF1 rs8027411 and high myopia in Chinese and Japanese populations. Methods All eligible studies investigating the association between the RASGRF1 gene and high myopia listed in PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and the China Biologic Medical Database were retrieved. The effects were assessed with the pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity between studies was evaluated with the Q-statistic test. Publication bias was tested with Begg’s and Egger’s linear regression tests. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were performed to identify the sources of heterogeneity. Results In the present meta-analysis, 2,529 individuals with high myopia and 3,127 controls from four studies were included and divided into seven groups. The results indicated that RASGRF1 rs8027411 was significantly associated with high myopia in Chinese and Japanese populations. Carriers of the rs8027411 G allele had a lower risk of high myopia compared to carriers with the T allele (G versus T, OR=0.83, 95% CI=0.77−0.89; p<0.001). Low but not significant heterogeneity was found in a recessive model. No heterogeneity was found in other genetic models. The subgroup analysis indicated that the protective effect of rs8027411 variants was more prominent in Chinese populations (G versus T, OR=0.80 in Chinese and OR=0.86 in Japanese; GG versus TT, OR=0.65 in Chinese and OR=0.77 in Japanese; GT versus TT, OR=0.76 in Chinese and OR=0.81 in Japanese; (GG+GT) versus TT, OR=0.73 in Chinese and OR=0.80 in Japanese; and GG versus (GT+TT), OR=0.77 in Chinese and OR=0.87 in Japanese). Sensitivity analysis indicated that the study results were stable in allelic, homozygote, heterozygote, and dominant models but were not stable in the recessive model. No evidence of publication bias was found. Conclusions Carriers of the rs8027411 G allele in the RASGRF1 gene may be at a lower risk of high myopia in Chinese and Japanese populations. The RASGRF1 gene may play a role in the development of high myopia, especially in Asians. Additional studies are required to validate these results.
Power, Approach, and Inhibition

This article examines how power influences behavior. Elevated power is associated with increased rewards and freedom and thereby activates approach-related tendencies. Reduced power is associated with increased threat, punishment, and social constraint and thereby activates inhibition-related tendencies. The authors derive predictions from recent theorizing about approach and inhibition and review relevant evidence. Specifically, power is associated with (a) positive affect, (b) attention to rewards, (c) automatic information processing, and (d) disinhibited behavior. In contrast, reduced power is associated with (a) negative affect; (b) attention to threat, punishment, others’ interests, and those features of the self that are relevant to others’ goals; (c) controlled information processing; and (d) inhibited social behavior. The potential moderators and consequences of these power-related behavioral patterns are discussed. The fundamental concept in social science is Power, in the same sense that Energy is the fundamental concept in physics . The laws of social dynamics are laws which can only be stated in terms of power.
The neuroscience of primate intellectual evolution: natural selection and passive and intentional niche construction

We trained Japanese macaque monkeys to use tools, an advanced cognitive function monkeys do not exhibit in the wild, and then examined their brains for signs of modification. Following tool-use training, we observed neurophysiological, molecular genetic and morphological changes within the monkey brain. Despite being ‘artificially’ induced, these novel behaviours and neural connectivity patterns reveal overlap with those of humans. Thus, they may provide us with a novel experimental platform for studying the mechanisms of human intelligence, for revealing the evolutionary path that created these mechanisms from the ‘raw material’ of the non-human primate brain, and for deepening our understanding of what cognitive abilities are and of those that are not uniquely human. On these bases, we propose a theory of ‘intentional niche construction’ as an extension of natural selection in order to reveal the evolutionary mechanisms that forged the uniquely intelligent human brain.