Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Which form of venture capital is most supportive of innovation? Evidence from European biotechnology companies

We argue that different forms of venture capital contribute differently to the innovation process and, consequently, differ in their impact on portfolio companies' innovation output. Our results suggest that the innovation output of companies financed by independent VCs increases significantly faster than that of both non-VC-backed companies and of companies financed by governmental VCs. However, governmental VCs may be beneficial for innovation by complementing the skills and resources provided by an independent VC in a heterogeneous syndicate.
A novel metabolism-based phenotypic drug discovery platform in zebrafish uncovers HDACs 1 and 3 as a potential combined anti-seizure drug target

Drug discovery in epilepsy has historically been biased towards transmembrane channels and receptors. Ibhazehiebo et al. describe a novel, metabolism-based drug discovery platform that assays for bioenergetic changes in zebrafish models, and demonstrate that histone deacetylases 1 and 3 decrease mitochondrial hyperexcitability and represent a combined target for anti-seizure drug development.
Motion Planning for Piezo-Actuated Flexible Structures: Modeling, Design, and Experiment

We consider motion planning and feedforward control for a cantilevered flexible plate-like structure actuated by a finite number of surface-mounted piezoelectric patches to realize prescribed highly dynamic trajectories for the deflection profile in open loop. For this, a distributed-parameter mathematical model including damping and localized effects originating from the spatially distributed patch actuators is derived by means of the extended Hamilton's principle. With this, a flatness-based design methodology is proposed for motion planning and feedforward control, which directly exploits the distributed-parameter system description. In particular, differential state, input, and output parameterizations are systematically constructed in terms of a basic output to achieve a one-to-one correspondence between system trajectories. Finite element methods are incorporated into the design to account for structures with nontrivial domain and nonisotropic material behavior. In addition, the convergence of the system parameterization is analyzed analytically and by means of numerical results. Finally, measurement results demonstrate the applicability of this approach for the realization of highly dynamic rest-to-rest transitions of the deflection profile of an orthotropic plate structure with macro-fiber composite patch actuators.
Physiological Responses Induced by Ostrinia furnacalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) Feeding in Maize and Their Effects on O. furnacalis Performance

Abstract Plants damaged by herbivorous insects often respond by mounting a series of defense responses that can inhibit the insect's fitness. Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is a major insect pest in maize throughout much of Asia, Australia, and the western Pacific islands. We examined the effects of O. furnacalis-induced maize defenses on O. furnacalis fitness, and explained the effects from biochemical changes that occur in maize leaves in response to O. furnacalis feeding. The results of the age-stage, two-sex life table showed that significantly longer larval and pupal life spans, and total preoviposition period (TPOP) occurred. A decrease in the longevity and fecundity of female adults was observed in O. furnacalis fed on O. furnacalis-damaged leaves. The mean generation time (T), finite rate of increase (λ), net reproductive rate (R0), and intrinsic rate of increase (r) were also correspondingly affected. Biochemical assays indicated that 24 h of O. furnacalis herbivory resulted in decreased levels of the benzoxazinoids, 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (DIMBOA), and 2-(2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one)-β-D-glucopyranose (DIMBOA-Glc), and a corresponding increase in 2-(2-hydroxy-4,7-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one)-β-D-glucopyranose (HDMBOA-Glc). Maize also exhibited higher activities of the defensive enzymes—peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO)—after 24 h of herbivory. We concluded that exposure to O. furnacalis-damaged leaves had an inhibitory impact on the fitness of the neonate to pupa stages of O. furnacalis. The observed higher level of HDMBOA-Glc and higher enzymatic activities of POD, SOD, CAT, and PPO may account, in part, for the observed inhibitory effects on O. furnacalis fitness.
Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule 2 (NCAM2)-Induced c-Src-Dependent Propagation of Submembrane Ca2+ Spikes Along Dendrites Inhibits Synapse Maturation

The neural cell adhesion molecule 2 (NCAM2) is encoded by a gene on chromosome 21 in humans. NCAM2 accumulates in synapses, but its role in regulation of synapse formation remains poorly understood. We demonstrate that an increase in NCAM2 levels results in increased instability of dendritic protrusions and reduced conversion of protrusions to dendritic spines in mouse cortical neurons. NCAM2 overexpression induces an increase in the frequency of submembrane Ca2+ spikes localized in individual dendritic protrusions and promotes propagation of submembrane Ca2+ spikes over segments of dendrites or the whole dendritic tree. NCAM2-dependent submembrane Ca2+ spikes are L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channel-dependent, and their propagation but not initiation depends on the c-Src protein tyrosine kinase. Inhibition of initiation or propagation of NCAM2-dependent submembrane Ca2+ spikes reduces the NCAM2-dependent instability of dendritic protrusions. Synaptic boutons formed on dendrites of neurons with elevated NCAM2 expression are enriched in the protein marker of immature synapses GAP43, and the number of boutons with mature activity-dependent synaptic vesicle recycling is reduced. Our results indicate that synapse maturation is inhibited in NCAM2-overexpressing neurons and suggest that changes in NCAM2 levels and altered submembrane Ca2+ dynamics can cause defects in synapse maturation in Down syndrome and other brain disorders associated with abnormal NCAM2 expression.
Quorum‐sensing regulator RhlR but not its autoinducer RhlI enables Pseudomonas to evade opsonization

When Drosophila melanogaster feeds on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, some bacteria cross the intestinal barrier and eventually proliferate in the hemocoel. This process is limited by hemocytes through phagocytosis. P. aeruginosa requires the quorum‐sensing regulator RhlR to elude the cellular immune response of the fly. RhlI synthesizes the autoinducer signal that activates RhlR. Here, we show that rhlI mutants are unexpectedly more virulent than rhlR mutants, both in fly and in nematode intestinal infection models, suggesting that RhlR has RhlI‐independent functions. We also report that RhlR protects P. aeruginosa from opsonization mediated by the Drosophila thioester‐containing protein 4 (Tep4). RhlR mutant bacteria show higher levels of Tep4‐mediated opsonization, as compared to rhlI mutants, which prevents lethal bacteremia in the Drosophila hemocoel. In contrast, in a septic model of infection, in which bacteria are introduced directly into the hemocoel, Tep4 mutant flies are more resistant to wild‐type P. aeruginosa, but not to the rhlR mutant. Thus, depending on the infection route, the Tep4 opsonin can either be protective or detrimental to host defense.
Dentists’ Most Common Practices when Selecting an Implant System

PURPOSE To report a comprehensive description of dental implant system selection practices among dentists practicing implantology worldwide. MATERIALS AND METHODS An online questionnaire was designed and sent to members of 15 dental implant organizations. The survey questions addressed: dental implant system selection criteria, implant design variables, dentists' perspective to implant quality stamps, and dentists' satisfaction with their implant system(s). Responses were compiled and analyzed to determine correlation of responses using the chi-squared test (level of significance α ≤ 0.05). RESULTS Out of 4264 invitations sent, a total of 2001 (response rate = 46.9%) dentists participated in the survey. Approximately half of survey respondents (48.7%) were general dentists. More than two-thirds of the survey respondents (72.5%) were performing both the surgical and prosthetic implant phases. Implant-abutment connections were the most important dental implant system selection criterion (84.7%), followed by scientific evidence available on the implant system (82.8%), and simplicity of prosthetic steps (81.4%). Patient preferences (19.8%) were rated as the least important aspect. Sandblasted large gritted acid etched implant surfaces (SLA) were the most commonly used implant surfaces (75.8%); fluoride coated surfaces were the least commonly used (15.4%). CONCLUSION According to the results of this survey, most survey respondents practiced both surgical and prosthetic phases of dental implantology. The majority of survey respondents agreed on the importance of implant-abutment connections, scientific evidence available on implant systems, and simplicity of prosthetic steps when selecting implant systems.
Serum IL-33 level is a predictor of progression-free survival after chemotherapy

This study aimed to evaluate the association between of serum IL-33 (sIL-33) level in gastric cancer (GC) patients and progression-free survival (PFS). A total of 62 patients with advanced GC and 32 healthy subjects were enrolled. sIL-33 level was detected in pre-chemotherapy patients, post-chemotherapy patients and healthy subjects, respectively. sIL-33 levels were 131.9 (95% CI 105.9-184.9) pg/mL, 95.1 (95% CI 70.8-140.2) pg/mL and 95.7 (95% CI 73.3-114.3) pg/mL in pre-chemotherapy patients, post-chemotherapy patients and controls, respectively. The sIL-33 level in pre-chemotherapy patients was significantly higher than that in both post-chemotherapy patients and controls (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference between the sIL-33 levels in post-chemotherapy patients and controls (P > 0.05). PFS in patients with the decline extent > 30.1% (median PFS not reached) was statistically significant longer than that (median PFS 7 months, 95% CI 1.569 - 12.431) in patients with the decline extent ≤ 30.1% (P = 0.003). The decline extent of sIL-33 level (> 30.1%) was associated with longer PFS (P = 0.006). Distant metastasis was associated with the decline extent of sIL-33 level (P = 0.034). The decline extent of sIL-33 after chemoresistance could be regarded as a predictor of the PFS of GC patients.
The effect of various thread designs on the initial stability of taper implants

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM Primary stability at the time of implant placement is related to the level of primary bone contact. The level of bone contact with implant is affected by thread design, surgical procedure and bone quality, etc. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to compare the initial stability of the various taper implants according to the thread designs, half of which were engaged to inferior cortical wall of type IV bone (Group 1) and the rest of which were not engaged to inferior cortical wall (Group 2) by measuring the implant stability quotient (ISQ) and the removal torque value (RTV). MATERIAL AND METHODS In this study, 6 different implant fixtures with 10 mm length were installed. In order to simulate the sinus inferior wall of type IV bone, one side cortical bone of swine rib was removed. 6 different implants were installed in the same bone block following manufacturer's recommended procedures. Total 10 bone blocks were made for each group. The height of Group 1 bone block was 10 mm for engagement and that of group 2 was 13 mm. The initial stability was measured with ISQ value using Osstell mentor® and with removal torque using MGT50 torque gauge. RESULTS In this study, we found the following results. 1. In Group 1 with fixtures engaged to the inferior cortical wall, there was no significant difference in RTV and ISQ value among the 6 types of implants. 2. In Group 2 with fixtures not engaged to the inferior cortical wall, there was significant difference in RTV and ISQ value among the 6 types of implants (P < .05). 3. There was significant difference in RTV and ISQ value according to whether fixtures were engaged to the inferior cortical wall or not (P < .05). 4. Under-drilling made RTV and ISQ value increase significantly in the NT implants which had lower RTV and ISQ value in Group 2 (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Without being engaged to the inferior cortical wall fixtures had initial stability affected by implant types. Also in poor quality bone, under-drilling improved initial stability.
A Nucleotide-based Drug Protects Against Glutamate- and MPP+- Induced Neurotoxicity

Nucleo CMP Forte(R) is a nucleotide-based drug consisting of cytidinemonophosphate, uridinemonophosphate, uridin-ediphosphate and uridinetriphosphate. It has been prescribed for peripheral nervous system disorders, such as lum-bosciatalgia, diabetic or alcoholic polyneuropathy, or trigeminal neuralgia. Its effects on brain pathologies has re-ceived little attention. We examined its neuroprotective effects on cell toxicity induced by glutamate excitotoxicity or by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-pyridinium (MPP+), an in vitro cell model of Parkinson’s disease. We used the human dopaminergic cell line SH-SY5Y and a primary culture of rat cortical cells pre-treated with the drug for 24 hours and then exposed to MPP+ or glutamate at a range of concentrations. Cell viability was measured at different times. Nucleo CMP Forte(R) pre-treatment significantly increased the rate of cell division in SH-SY5Y cells, as well as the synthesis of triglycerides and phospholipids. More interestingly, drug pre-treatment significantly reduced MPP+- and glutamate-induced cell death in SH-SY5Y cells and in rat cortical cells. These results indicate that the nucleotides included in Nucleo CMP Forte(R) are promising therapeutic molecules for the prevention of neuronal death in brain caused by focal ischemia, Parkinson’s disease or other neurodegenerative pathologies.
Influence of food structure on dairy protein, lipid and calcium bioavailability: A narrative review of evidence

ABSTRACT Beyond nutrient composition matrix plays an important role on food health potential, notably acting on the kinetics of nutrient release, and finally on their bioavailability. This is particularly true for dairy products that present both solid (cheeses), semi-solid (yogurts) and liquid (milks) matrices. The main objective of this narrative review has been to synthesize available data in relation with the impact of physical structure of main dairy matrices on nutrient bio-accessibility, bioavailability and metabolic effects, in vitro, in animals and in humans. Focus has been made on dairy nutrients the most studied, i.e., proteins, lipids and calcium. Data collected show different kinetics of bioavailability of amino acids, fatty acids and calcium according to the physicochemical parameters of these matrices, including compactness, hardness, elasticity, protein/lipid ratio, P/Ca ratio, effect of ferments, size of fat globules, and possibly other qualitative parameters yet to be discovered. This could be of great interest for the development of innovative dairy products for older populations, sometimes in protein denutrition or with poor dentition, involving the development of dairy matrices with optimized metabolic effects by playing on gastric retention time and thus on the kinetics of release of the amino acids within bloodstream.
Colistimethate sodium for the treatment of chronic pulmonary infection in cystic fibrosis: an evidence-based review of its place in therapy

Chronic bacterial respiratory-tract infections are a major driving force in the pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease and promote chronic lung-function decline, destruction, and progression to respiratory failure at a premature age. Gram-negative bacteria colonizing the airways in CF are a major problem in CF therapy due to their tendency to develop a high degree of resistance to antibiotic agents over time. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the dominating bacterial strain infecting the CF lung from early childhood on, and multiresistant strains frequently develop after years of therapy. Colistin has been used for treating pulmonary bacterial infections in CF for decades due to its very good Gram-negative activity. However, drawbacks include concerns regarding toxicity when being applied systemically, and the lack of approval for application by inhalation in the USA for many years. Other antibiotic substances for systemic use are available with good to excellent Gram-negative and anti-Pseudomonas activity, while there are only three substances approved for inhalation use in the treatment of chronic pulmonary infection with proven benefit in CF. The emergence of multiresistant strains leaving nearly no antibiotic substance as a treatment option, the limited number of antibiotics with high activity against P. aeruginosa, the concerns about increasing the risk of antibiotic resistance by continuous antibiotic therapy, the development of new drug formulations and drug-delivery devices, and, finally, the differing treatment strategies used in CF centers call for defining the place of this “old” drug, colistimethate, in today’s CF therapy. This article reviews the available evidence to reflect on the place of colistimethate sodium in the therapy of chronic pulmonary infection in CF.
Design influence on social play in distributed exertion games

Exertion games are an emerging form of interactive games that require players to invest significant physical effort as part of the gameplay, rather than just pressing buttons. These exertion games have potential health benefits by promoting exercise. It is also believed that they can facilitate social play between players and that social play can improve participation in exertion games. However, there is currently a lack of understanding of how to design games to support these effects. In this paper, we present a qualitative case study that illustrates how networked environments support social play in exertion games and how this can help to gain an understanding of existing games and support the design of future games. This work offers a preliminary analytical and descriptive account of the relationship between exertion and social play in such a game and highlights the influence of design with the aim of utilizing the attributed benefits of exertion and social play.
Being Active, Engaged, and Healthy: Older Persons’ Plans and Wishes to Age Successfully

Objectives This study took an emic multidimensional approach on successful aging and examined what older people consider important to age successfully by asking them about their plans and wishes (PWs). Associations between participants' demographics, health status, working life, social contacts, life satisfaction, and their PWs were investigated. Method An online questionnaire was completed by 649 older individuals (55-90 years). Conceptual content analysis was performed to identify important categories in PWs. Quantitative analyses were conducted to examine associations between PWs and participants' characteristics. Results Most mentioned PWs were related to activities, engagement with life, and health. Seventy-four participants (11.4%) expressed no PWs. Multivariate analysis revealed that having PWs was most strongly related to participants' life satisfaction. Older individuals with a higher life satisfaction indicated significantly more often to have PWs than individuals with a lower life satisfaction. Discussion The majority of older people desire an active, engaged, and healthy life. PWs were variable and personal, which endorses an emic, multidimensional approach to successful aging. Knowledge on what older individuals find important in their lives and what they want to achieve can assist older individuals in setting and attaining their goals toward aging well.
Quantifying Phishing Susceptibility for Detection and Behavior Decisions

Objective: We use signal detection theory to measure vulnerability to phishing attacks, including variation in performance across task conditions. Background: Phishing attacks are difficult to prevent with technology alone, as long as technology is operated by people. Those responsible for managing security risks must understand user decision making in order to create and evaluate potential solutions. Method: Using a scenario-based online task, we performed two experiments comparing performance on two tasks: detection, deciding whether an e-mail is phishing, and behavior, deciding what to do with an e-mail. In Experiment 1, we manipulated the order of the tasks and notification of the phishing base rate. In Experiment 2, we varied which task participants performed. Results: In both experiments, despite exhibiting cautious behavior, participants’ limited detection ability left them vulnerable to phishing attacks. Greater sensitivity was positively correlated with confidence. Greater willingness to treat e-mails as legitimate was negatively correlated with perceived consequences from their actions and positively correlated with confidence. These patterns were robust across experimental conditions. Conclusion: Phishing-related decisions are sensitive to individuals’ detection ability, response bias, confidence, and perception of consequences. Performance differs when people evaluate messages or respond to them but not when their task varies in other ways. Application: Based on these results, potential interventions include providing users with feedback on their abilities and information about the consequences of phishing, perhaps targeting those with the worst performance. Signal detection methods offer system operators quantitative assessments of the impacts of interventions and their residual vulnerability.
Impact Tensile Stress–strain Characteristics of Wrought Magnesium Alloys

Abstract: Impact tensile properties of three different wrought magnesium alloys (AZ31B‐F, AZ61A‐F and ZK60A‐T5) are evaluated using the split Hopkinson bar. Reliable tensile stress–strain data up to fracture in the extrusion direction at strain rates of nearly 1000 s−1 are presented and compared with those at quasi‐static and medium rates of strain obtained on an Instron testing machine. The effect of strain rate on the tensile strength, elongation at fracture and absorbed energy is examined in detail. It is demonstrated that the tensile strength increases with increasing strain rate, and the strain‐rate dependence of elongation at fracture and absorbed energy varies, depending on the magnesium alloys tested. The limitations of the test technique are discussed.
Effect of equi-biaxially fabric prestressing on the tensile performance of woven E-glass/polyester reinforced composites

The tensile properties of prestressed fabric-reinforced composites have been investigated. A method of applying an equi-biaxially fabric prestressing prior to and during the curing process of a plain-weave fabric composite was performed. A novel fibre prestressing equipment was built to apply and measure the tension load in the principal yarn directions of a fabric. The equi-biaxial fabric prestressing level, ranged from zero to 100 MPa, was used. Tensile tests were performed for the batches with different fabric prestressing levels to estimate the optimum level that gives the maximum tensile performance. The samples were also tested at different orientation angles, precisely from warp to bias direction. Prestressing the fabric enhanced the tensile performance such as elastic modulus and critical stress to first fracture of the composite by 10–20%. Most tensile properties, for instance tensile modulus and critical stress, reached their ultimate values at 50 MPa of prestressing level; however, the tensile-limited toughness was maximum at a level of fabric prestressing of ∼75 MPa.