Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Braided Bone Scaffolds Made by Braiding Polyvinyl Alcohol and Cross-Linked by Glutaraldehyde: Manufacturing Process and Structure Evaluation

When the bone tissues suffer from an impaired area that is greater than their self-healing size limit, the impairment may not heal or heal incompletely. With the purpose of developing artificial bone scaffolds for the recovery of bone tissues, this study twists 3-ply polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers into plied yarns, which are then braided into PVA bone scaffolds using a braiding technique. Afterward, the braids are cross-linked with glutaraldehyde in order to improve their structure and their water stability. The experiment results show that a cross-linking by glutaraldehyde does not significantly influence the surface morphology of the braids. However, a cross-linking by high concentration glutaraldehyde provides the braids with a swelling phenomenon, which in turn causes a dense internal feature of the braids, and namely a lower porosity. This study successfully prepares braided PVA bone scaffolds with water stability, through a glutaraldehyde cross-linking.
Distribution of NF-κB-binding sites across human chromosome 22

We have mapped the chromosomal binding site distribution of a transcription factor in human cells. The NF-κB family of transcription factors plays an essential role in regulating the induction of genes involved in several physiological processes, including apoptosis, immunity, and inflammation. The binding sites of the NF-κB family member p65 were determined by using chromatin immunoprecipitation and a genomic microarray of human chromosome 22 DNA. Sites of binding were observed along the entire chromosome in both coding and noncoding regions, with an enrichment at the 5′ end of genes. Strikingly, a significant proportion of binding was seen in intronic regions, demonstrating that transcription factor binding is not restricted to promoter regions. NF-κB binding was also found at genes whose expression was regulated by tumor necrosis factor α, a known inducer of NF-κB-dependent gene expression, as well as adjacent to genes whose expression is not affected by tumor necrosis factor α. Many of these latter genes are either known to be activated by NF-κB under other conditions or are consistent with NF-κB's role in the immune and apoptotic responses. Our results suggest that binding is not restricted to promoter regions and that NF-κB binding occurs at a significant number of genes whose expression is not altered, thereby suggesting that binding alone is not sufficient for gene activation.
The effects of saliva on the erosive potential of three different wines.

BACKGROUND The erosive potential of wine on teeth may be modified by the buffering capacity of saliva. This potential effect was studied for three different wines in vitro and in vivo. METHODS The buffering capacity was studied in vitro by stepwise addition of small volumes of a dry white wine, a medium sweet white wine and a red wine to collected stimulated saliva. In vivo, this was studied by six volunteers vigorously rinsing 5 mL of each wine in their mouth for 15 to 45 seconds. Changes in salivary flow rate and pH were measured during a period of 10 minutes after rinsing with 5 mL wine. RESULTS pH values < 5.5 were observed in vitro after addition of 0.2 mL dry white wine and medium sweet wine and after 0.3 mL red wine to 1 mL saliva. During rinsing with all wines, the intra-oral pH decreased to below 4 within 15 seconds and remained below this value for at least 45 seconds. After expectoration, the salivary pH remained significantly low for two to six minutes, despite a doubling of the flow rate observed during the first two minutes. CONCLUSIONS Vigorously rinsing wine induced a decrease in intra-oral pH of significant degree and duration, which increases the risk of developing dental erosion.
How often are two permutations comparable

Two permutations of [n] are comparable in the Bruhat order if one is closer, in a natural way, to the identity permutation, 12 . n, than the other. We show that the number of comparable pairs is of order (n! ) 2 /n 2 at most, and (n! ) 2 (0.708)" at least. For the related weak order, the corresponding bounds are (n! ) 2 (0.362)" and (n! ) 2 Π n i=1 (H (i) /i), where H (i):= Σ i j=1 1/j. In light of numerical experiments, we conjecture that for each order the upper bound is qualitatively close to the actual number of comparable pairs.
Spatial Prepositions in Context: The Semantics of near in the Presence of Distractor Objects

The paper examines how people's judgements of proximity between two objects are influenced by the presence of a third object. In an experiment participants were presented with images containing three shapes in different relative positions, and asked to rate the acceptability of a locative expression such as 'the circle is near the triangle' as descriptions of those images. The results showed an interaction between the relative positions of objects and the linguistic roles that those objects play in the locative expression: proximity was a decreasing function of the distance between the head object in the expression and the prepositional clause object, and an increasing function the distance between the head and the third, distractor object. This finding leads us to a new account for the semantics of spatial prepositions such as near.
Torque teno virus in fecal samples of patients with gastroenteritis: Prevalence, genogroups distribution, and viral load

Torque teno virus (TTV, genus Alphatorquevirus, family Anelloviridae) is a DNA virus, highly prevalent in populations from around the world. TTV isolates have been classified into five main phylogenetic groups (1–5) showing a large genetic distance between them. The presence of TTV has been detected in feces. However, whether all five TTV genogroups are excreted in feces and the frequency of these events are presently unknown. The presence of TTV DNA was assessed in feces from 135 Brazilian (0–90 years old) patients with gastroenteritis by using three PCR methods, including real‐time PCR. One hundred twenty one (91.1%) samples were positive with at least one method. Using a genogroup‐specific assay, it was shown that all genogroups were present. Thirty‐seven (27.4%), 27 (20.0%), 57 (42.2%), 29 (21.5%), and 33 (24.4%) fecal samples contained TTV isolates belonging to genogroups 1–5, respectively. Coinfections with two, three, four, and five TTV genogroups were found in 23 (17.0%), 15 (11.1%), 7 (5.2%), and 7 (5.2%) fecal samples, respectively. Thus, 52 (38.5%) samples contained more than one TTV genogroup. Viral loads ranged from 2.6 to 6.5 log genome equivalents per gram of feces. However, only moderate variations of viral load were noted depending on genogroup and number of coinfecting TTV genogroups. These results show a high prevalence and a diversity of TTV isolates in feces. J. Med. Virol. 83:1107–1111, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gamma Titanium Aluminide Alloys: Science and Technology

Preface INTRODUCTION CONSTITUTION The Binary Ti-Al Phase Diagram Ternary and Multicomponent Alloy Systems THERMOPHYSICAL CONSTANTS Elastic and Thermal Properties Point Defects Diffusion PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS AND MICROSTRUCTURES Microstructure Formation on Solidification Solid State Transformations DEFORMATION BEHAVIOR OF SINGLE-PHASE ALLOYS Single-Phase Gamma(TiAl) Alloys Deformation Behavior of Single-Phase Alpha2(Ti3Al) Alloys Beta/B2 Phase Alloys DEFORMATION BEHAVIOR OF TWO-PHASE ALPHA(Ti3Al) + GAMMA(TiAl) ALLOYS Lamellar Microstructures Deformation Mechanisms, Contrasting Single-Phase and Two-Phase Alloys Generation of Dislocations and Mechanical Twins Glide Resistance and Dislocation Mobility Thermal and Athermal Stresses STRENGTHENING MECHANISMS Grain Refinement Work Hardening Solution Hardening Precipitation Hardening Optimized Nb-Bearing Alloys DEFORMATION BEHAVIOR OF ALLOYS WITH A MODULATED MICROSTRUCTURE Modulated Microstructures Misfitting Interfaces Mechanical Properties CREEP Design Margins and Failure Mechanisms General Creep Behavior The Steady-State or Minimum Creep Rate Effect of Microstructure Primary Creep Creep-Induced Degradation of Lamellar Structures Precipitation Effects Associated with the Alpha2 -> Gamma Phase Transformations Tertiary Creep Optimized Alloys, Effect of Alloy Composition and Processing Creep Properties of Alloys with a Modulated Microstructure FRACTURE BEHAVIOR Length Scales in the Fracture of TiAl Alloys Cleavage Fracture Crack-Tip Plasticity Fracture Toughness, Strength, and Ductility Fracture Behavior of Modulated Alloys Requirements for Ductility and Toughness Assessment of Property Variability FATIGUE Definitions The Stress-Life (S-N) Behavior HCF Effects of Temperature and Environment on the Cyclic Crack-Growth Resistance LCF Thermomechanical Fatigue and Creep Relaxation OXIDATION BEHAVIOR AND RELATED ISSUES Kinetics and Thermodynamics General Aspects Concerning Oxidation Summary ALLOY DESIGN Effect of Aluminum Content Important Alloying Elements - General Remarks Specific Alloy Systems Summary INGOT PRODUCTION AND COMPONENT CASTING Ingot Production Casting Summary POWDER METALLURGY Prealloyed Powder Technology Elemental-Powder Technology Mechanical Alloying WROUGHT PROCESSING Flow Behavior under Hot-Working Conditions Conversions of Microstructure Workabiliy and Primary Processing Texture Evolution Secondary Processing JOINING Diffusion Bonding Brazing and Other Joining Technologies SURFACE HARDENING Shot Peening and Roller Burnishing Residual Stresses, Microhardness, and Surface Roughness Surface Deformation Due to Shot Peening Phase Transformation, Recrystallization, and Amorphization Effect of Shot Peening on Fatigue Strength Thermal Stability of the Surface Hardening APPLICATIONS, COMPONENT ASSESSMENT, AND OUTLOOK Aerospace Automotive Outlook
Taking the pressure off in the Emergency Department: evaluation of the prophylactic application of a low shear, soft silicon sacral dressing on high risk medical patients

Pressure injuries are key clinical indicators of care standard. In Australia, pressure injuries increase length of hospital stay by 4·31 and cost $285 million annually. This pilot study examined the effectiveness of sacral dressing in reducing the prevalence of pressure injuries in older, high‐risk patients. A non randomised one‐sample experimental design was used in this study comprising of four phases. Of the 51 patients recruited to the study, one patient developed a sacral pressure injury compared to six patients identified in a known group with similar demographics who were not approached to participate in the study. The results indicated that patients in the known group were 5·4 times more likely to develop a pressure injury than the intervention group. Findings suggest that applying a protective sacral dressing with a low shear backing as part of a simple standardised prevention injury prevention regime commencing in the Emergency Department was beneficial in the prevention of pressure injury in older ‘at high risk’ medical patients.
Dietary patterns and the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in a global study of high-risk patients with stable coronary heart disease

Abstract Objectives To determine whether dietary pattern assessed by a simple self-administered food frequency questionnaire is associated with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in high-risk patients with stable coronary artery disease. Background A Mediterranean dietary pattern has been associated with lower cardiovascular (CV) mortality. It is less certain whether foods common in western diets are associated with CV risk. Methods At baseline, 15 482 (97.8%) patients (mean age 67 ± 9 years) with stable coronary heart disease from 39 countries who participated in the Stabilisation of atherosclerotic plaque by initiation of darapladib therapy (STABILITY) trial completed a life style questionnaire which included questions on common foods. A Mediterranean diet score (MDS) was calculated for increasing consumption of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, fish, and alcohol, and for less meat, and a ‘Western diet score’ (WDS) for increasing consumption of refined grains, sweets and deserts, sugared drinks, and deep fried foods. A multi-variable Cox proportional hazards models assessed associations between MDS or WDS and MACE, defined as CV death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke. Results After a median follow-up of 3.7 years MACE occurred in 7.3% of 2885 subjects with an MDS ≥15, 10.5% of 4018 subjects with an MDS of 13–14, and 10.8% of 8579 subjects with an MDS ≤12. A one unit increase in MDS >12 was associated with lower MACE after adjusting for all covariates (+1 category HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.91, 0.98, P = 0.002). There was no association between WDS (adjusted model +1 category HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.97, 1.01) and MACE. Conclusion Greater consumption of healthy foods may be more important for secondary prevention of coronary artery disease than avoidance of less healthy foods typical of Western diets.
CROP DIVERSIFICATION : A SEARCH FOR AN ALTERNATIVE INCOME OF THE FARMERS IN THE STATE OF WEST BENGAL IN INDIA

South Asia is gradually diversifying its crop sector in favour of high value commodities, especially fruits, vegetables and spices. If carried out appropriately, diversification can be used as a tool to augment farm income, generate employment, alleviate poverty and conserve precious soil and water resources. In India in the state of West Bengal diversification in cropping pattern is a very recent phenomenon. It is basically a rice producing state which has achieved a very high level of productivity in paddy cultivation during the second phase of green revolution and is now the largest producer of rice in the country. Crop Diversification is expected to be able to contribute towards a higher nutrition level, poverty alleviation, employment generation, and sustainable natural resources management. This paper aims to understand the nature and magnitude of the extent of diversification that is taking place in the state of West Bengal in the recent years and explore the farmers’ cropping strategy and to identify the determinants of diversification.
Identification of new Presenilin‐1 phosphosites: implication for γ‐secretase activity and Aβ production

An important pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the deposition of amyloid‐beta (Aβ) peptides in the brain parenchyma, leading to neuronal death and impaired learning and memory. The protease γ‐secretase is responsible for the intramembrane proteolysis of the amyloid‐β precursor protein (APP), which leads to the production of the toxic Aβ peptides. Thus, an attractive therapeutic strategy to treat AD is the modulation of the γ‐secretase activity, to reduce Aβ42 production. Because phosphorylation of proteins is a post‐translational modification known to modulate the activity of many different enzymes, we used electrospray (LC‐MS/MS) mass spectrometry to identify new phosphosites on highly purified human γ‐secretase. We identified 11 new single or double phosphosites in two well‐defined domains of Presenilin‐1 (PS1), the catalytic subunit of the γ‐secretase complex. Next, mutagenesis and biochemical approaches were used to investigate the role of each phosphosite in the maturation and activity of γ‐secretase. Together, our results suggest that the newly identified phosphorylation sites in PS1 do not modulate γ‐secretase activity and the production of the Alzheimer's Aβ peptides. Individual PS1 phosphosites shall probably not be considered therapeutic targets for reducing cerebral Aβ plaque formation in AD.
Differential wear of teeth and restorative materials: clinical implications.

PURPOSE This study reviewed the wear of commonly used dental restorative materials and their effects on the opposing dentition. MATERIALS AND METHODS Key words were used with PubMed to retrieve pertinent references to publications on tooth and restoration wear. RESULTS The wear resistance of newer esthetic restorative materials has generally improved, and the damage caused by several materials to the opposing dentition has been reduced. However, the different structures and physical properties of tooth substance and restorative materials will eventually lead to varying degrees of differential wear. The extent and rate of wear are influenced by many intraoral factors. CONCLUSION Selection of restorative materials must be based on knowledge of their wear behavior and the individual needs of each patient. The lowest wear rates for restorations and the opposing dentition occur with metal alloys, machined ceramics, and microfilled and microfine hybrid resin composites.
Effect of Periodontitis on Overt Nephropathy and End-Stage Renal Disease in Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of periodontitis on development of overt nephropathy, defined as macroalbuminuria, and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Individuals residing in the Gila River Indian Community aged > or =25 years with type 2 diabetes, one or more periodontal examination, estimated glomerular filtration rate > or =60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2), and no macroalbuminuria (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio > or =300 mg/g) were identified. Periodontitis was classified as none/mild, moderate, severe, or edentulous using number of teeth and alveolar bone score. Subjects were followed to development of macroalbuminuria or ESRD, defined as onset of renal replacement therapy or death attributed to diabetic nephropathy. RESULTS Of the 529 individuals, 107 (20%) had none/mild periodontitis, 200 (38%) had moderate periodontitis, 117 (22%) had severe periodontitis, and 105 (20%) were edentulous at baseline. During follow-up of up to 22 years, 193 individuals developed macroalbuminuria and 68 developed ESRD. Age- and sex-adjusted incidence of macroalbuminuria and ESRD increased with severity of periodontitis. After adjustment for age, sex, diabetes duration, BMI, and smoking in a proportional hazards model, the incidences of macroalbuminuria were 2.0, 2.1, and 2.6 times as high in individuals with moderate or severe periodontitis or those who were edentulous, respectively, compared with those with none/mild periodontitis (P = 0.01). Incidences of ESRD in individuals with moderate or severe periodontitis or in those who were edentulous were 2.3, 3.5, and 4.9 times as high, respectively, compared with those with none/mild periodontitis (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Periodontitis predicts development of overt nephropathy and ESRD in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Whether treatment of periodontitis will reduce the risk of diabetic kidney disease remains to be determined.
CD40-dependent Activation of Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Akt Pathway Mediates Endothelial Cell Survival and in Vitro Angiogenesis*

CD40 has been involved in tumor and inflammatory neoangiogenesis. In this study we determined that stimulation of endothelial CD40 with sCD154 induced resistance to apoptosis andin vitro vessel-like formation by human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC). These effects were determined to be mediated by CD40-dependent signaling because they were inhibited by a soluble CD40-muIg fusion protein. Moreover, apoptosis of HMEC was associated with an impairment of Akt phosphorylation, which was restored by stimulation with sCD154. The anti-apoptotic effect as well as in vitro vessel-like formation and Akt phosphorylation were inhibited by treatment of HMEC with two unrelated pharmacological inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), wortmannin and LY294002. CD40 stimulation induced a rapid increase in Akt enzymatic activity that was not prevented by cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis. The enhanced Akt activity induced by stimulation of endothelial CD40 was temporarily correlated with the association of CD40 with TRAF6, c-Cbl, and the p85 subunit of PI3K. Expression of negative-dominant Akt inhibited the activation of endogenous Akt through CD40 stimulation, despite the observation that association of CD40 with TRAF6, c-Cbl, and PI3K was intact. The defective activation of Akt abrogated not only the anti-apoptotic effect of CD40 stimulation but also the proliferative response, the enhanced motility, and the in vitro formation of vessel-like tubular structures by CD40-stimulated HMEC. In conclusion, these results suggest that endothelial CD40, through activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, regulates cell survival, proliferation, migration, and vessel-like structure formation, all steps considered critical for angiogenesis.
Modular code generation from synchronous block diagrams: modularity vs. code size

We study modular, automatic code generation from hierarchical block diagrams with synchronous semantics. Such diagrams are the fundamental model behind widespread tools in the embedded software domain, such as Simulink and SCADE. Code is modular in the sense that it is generated for a given composite block independently from context (i.e., without knowing in which diagrams the block is to be used) and using minimal information about the internals of the block. In previous work, we have shown how modular code can be generated by computing a set of interface functions for each block and a set of dependencies between these functions that is exported along with the interface. We have also introduced a quantified notion of modularity in terms of the number of interface functions generated per block, and showed how to minimize this number, which is essential for scalability. Finally, we have exposed the fundamental trade-off between modularity and reusability (set of diagrams the block can be used in). In this paper we explore another trade-off: modularity vs. code size. We show that our previous technique, although it achieves maximal reusability and is optimal in terms of modularity, may result in code replication and therefore large code sizes, something often unacceptable in an embedded system context. We propose to remedy this by generating code with no replication, and show that this generally results in some loss of modularity. We show that optimizing modularity while maintaining maximal reusability and zero replication is an intractable problem (NP-complete). We also show that this problem can be solved using a simple iterative procedure that checks satisfiability of a sequence of propositional formulas. We report on a new prototype implementation and experimental results. The latter demonstrate the practical interest in our methods.