Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Toughening of polylactide by melt blending with linear low‐density polyethylene

Melt blending of polylactide and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) was performed in an effort to toughen polylactide. In addition, two model polylactide-polyethylene (PLLA-PE) block copolymers were investigated as compatibilizers. The LLDPE particle size and the impact resistance of binary and ternary blends were measured to determine the extent of compatibilization. For the amorphous polylactide (PLA), toughening was achieved only when a PLLA-PE block copolymer was used as a compatibilizer. For the semicrystalline polylactide (PLLA), toughening was achieved in the absence of block copolymer. To decrease the variability in the impact resistance of the PLLA/LLDPE binary blend, as little as 0.5 wt % of a PLLA–;PE block copolymer was effective. The differences that were seen between the PLA and PLLA binary blends were investigated with adhesion testing. The semicrystalline PLLA did show significantly better adhesion to the LLDPE. We propose that tacticty effects on the entanglement molecular weight or miscibility of polylactide allow for the improved adhesion between the PLLA and LLDPE. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 3757–3768, 2003
Action-Conditional Video Prediction using Deep Networks in Atari Games

Motivated by vision-based reinforcement learning (RL) problems, in particular Atari games from the recent benchmark Aracade Learning Environment (ALE), we consider spatio-temporal prediction problems where future (image-)frames are dependent on control variables or actions as well as previous frames. While not composed of natural scenes, frames in Atari games are high-dimensional in size, can involve tens of objects with one or more objects being controlled by the actions directly and many other objects being influenced indirectly, can involve entry and departure of objects, and can involve deep partial observability. We propose and evaluate two deep neural network architectures that consist of encoding, action-conditional transformation, and decoding layers based on convolutional neural networks and recurrent neural networks. Experimental results show that the proposed architectures are able to generate visually-realistic frames that are also useful for control over approximately 100-step action-conditional futures in some games. To the best of our knowledge, this paper is the first to make and evaluate long-term predictions on high-dimensional video conditioned by control inputs.
Neuropsychological predictors of conversion to probable Alzheimer disease in elderly with mild cognitive impairment.

In the field of neuropsychology, it is essential to determine which neuropsychological tests predict Alzheimer's disease (AD) in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and which cut-off points should be used to identify people at greater risk for converting to dementia. The aim of the present study was to analyse the predictive value of the cognitive tests included in a neuropsychological battery for conversion to AD among MCI participants and to analyse the influence of some sociodemographic variables - sex, age, schooling - and others, such as follow-up time and emotional state. A total of 105 participants were assessed with a neuropsychological battery at baseline and during a 3-year follow-up period. For the present study, the data were analysed at baseline. During the follow-up period, 24 participants (22.85%) converted to dementia (2.79 ± 1.14 years) and 81 (77.14%) remained as MCI. The logistic regression analysis determined that the long delay cued recall and the performance time of the Rey figure test were the best predictive tests of conversion to dementia after an MCI diagnosis. Concerning the sociodemographic factors, sex had the highest predictive power. The results reveal the relevance of the neuropsychological data obtained in the first assessment. Specifically, the data obtained in the episodic verbal memory tests and tests that assess visuospatial and executive components may help to identify people with MCI who may develop AD in an interval not longer than 4 years, with the masculine gender being an added risk factor.
PGC-Enriched miRNAs Control Germ Cell Development

Non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate the translation of target messenger RNAs (mRNAs) involved in the growth and development of a variety of cells, including primordial germ cells (PGCs) which play an essential role in germ cell development. However, the target mRNAs and the regulatory networks influenced by miRNAs in PGCs remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate a novel miRNAs control PGC development through targeting mRNAs involved in various cellular pathways. We reveal the PGC-enriched expression patterns of nine miRNAs, including miR-10b, -18a, -93, -106b, -126-3p, -127, -181a, -181b, and -301, using miRNA expression analysis along with mRNA microarray analysis in PGCs, embryonic gonads, and postnatal testes. These miRNAs are highly expressed in PGCs, as demonstrated by Northern blotting, miRNA in situ hybridization assay, and miRNA qPCR analysis. This integrative study utilizing mRNA microarray analysis and miRNA target prediction demonstrates the regulatory networks through which these miRNAs regulate their potential target genes during PGC development. The elucidated networks of miRNAs disclose a coordinated molecular mechanism by which these miRNAs regulate distinct cellular pathways in PGCs that determine germ cell development.
IL-2 Increases Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Activity Transcriptionally and Posttranslationally through Phosphatidylinositol 3′-Kinase/Akt, Heat Shock Protein 90, and Mammalian Target of Rapamycin in Transformed NK Cells

Human telomerase activity is induced by Ag receptor ligation in T and B cells. However, it is unknown whether telomerase activity is increased in association with activation and proliferation of NK cells. We found that telomerase activity in a human NK cell line (NK-92), which requires IL-2 for proliferation, was increased within 24 h after stimulation with IL-2. Levels of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA and protein correlated with telomerase activity. ERK1/2 and Akt kinase (Akt) were activated by IL-2 stimulation. LY294002, an inhibitor of PI3K, abolished expression of hTERT mRNA and protein expression and abolished hTERT activity, whereas PD98059, which inhibits MEK1/2 and thus ERK1/2, had no effect. In addition, radicicol, an inhibitor of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), and rapamycin, an inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), blocked IL-2-induced hTERT activity and nuclear translocation of hTERT but not hTERT mRNA expression. hTERT was coimmunoprecipitated with Akt, Hsp90, mTOR, and p70 S6 kinase (S6K), suggesting that these molecules form a physical complex. Immunoprecipitates of Akt, Hsp90, mTOR, and S6K from IL-2-stimulated NK-92 cells contained telomerase activity. Furthermore, the findings that Hsp90 and mTOR immunoprecipitates from primary samples contained telomerase activity are consistent with the results from NK-92 cells. These results indicate that IL-2 stimulation induces hTERT activation and that the mechanism of IL-2-induced hTERT activation involves transcriptional or posttranslational regulation through the pathway including PI3K/Akt, Hsp90, mTOR, and S6K in NK cells.
Wide Variation in Definition, Detection, and Description of Lacunar Lesions on Imaging

Background and Purpose— Variation in the definition of lacunar lesions on imaging and difficulties in their detection may be hampering lacunar stroke research. We assessed literature definitions of imaging lacunar lesions and the definitions and detection of lacunar lesions among small-vessel disease researchers. Methods— We assessed definitions of imaging lacunar lesion in 50 randomly selected articles from 3 stroke-related journals and an online survey of small-vessel disease researchers. In the literature review, we assessed clinical/imaging definitions of lacunar stroke. In the survey, we assessed lacunar lesion detection, effects of lesion appearance, background white matter lesions, and provision of relevant data. Results— Among 50 articles, imaging definitions were varied and often limited; size was stated in 21 of 43 (49%) studies of acute and in 9 of 20 (45%) studies of old lesions and site in 18 (42%) and 4 (20%), respectively. Clinical definitions also varied, and images were read mostly by nonradiologists. Among 56 survey respondents, multiple descriptions were used for recent and old, symptomatic and asymptomatic, lesions on imaging. Most agreed on definitions for site (98%) and “old lacunar infarct” (61%) size. Cavitated (vs noncavitated) lesions were usually identified as lacunar lesions; with increasing white matter lesions, however, noncavitated lesions were very unlikely to be identified, even with prior imaging available (7.8%). Conclusions— Imaging definitions of lacunar lesions vary widely, in part due to variation in lesion detection and classification. A consensus for imaging definitions of small-vessel disease features would be helpful.
High Strength Bolt Shear Connectors -Pushout Tests

STATIC PUSHOUT TESTS ARE PRESENTED OF CONCRETE-STEEL SPECIMENS USING HIGH STRENGTH BOLTS AS SHEAR CONNECTORS. THE BOLTS WERE EMBEDDED IN NORMAL WEIGHT CONCRETE AND PRETENSIONED BY THE TURN-OF-NUT METHOD AFTER THE CONCRETE HAD AGED 28 DAYS. THE LENGTH OF BOLT EMBEDDED WAS 4 IN. (10.16 CM) WITHIN A 6 IN. (15.24 CM) SLAB. STANDARD STEEL WASHERS WERE SPOT WELDED UNDER THE HEADS OF THE BOLTS PRIOR TO INSTALLATION. TWELVE SPECIMENS WERE TESTED, FOUR EACH WITH BOLT DIAMETERS OF 1/2, 5/8, AND 3/4 IN. (1.27, 1.59, AND 1.90 CM). TEST RESULTS SHOW VERY LITTLE SLIP BETWEEN THE SLAB AND STEEL BEAM UNTIL FRICTION IS OVERCOME. THE BOLTS EXHIBITED A GREATER USEFUL CAPACITY AND ULTIMATE STRENGTH THAN COMPARABLE STUDS. /AUTHOR/
Synthesis and characterisation of hybrid carbon-nanotube silica microparticles

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been successfully grafted onto the surfaces of spherical silica gels via a floating-catalyst chemical vapour deposition method. Two types of silica gels were used as substrates; SG6 (6 ? 8 nm pore size) and SG26 (26 ? 34 nm pore size). The optimum growth conditions were found to be 760 �C growth temperature, 3 hours growth time, and 5 wt . % of ferrocene catalyst (dissolved in toluene) injected into the furnace at a rate of 0.04 ml/min. Under these conditions, CNTs coated the exterior surface of the gels with growth occurring from both the pores and from the surface. The geometry and porosity of the silica gel were also found to influence the alignment and density of the grafted CNTs, with SG6 producing the best quality hybrid particle under the above conditions (labelled SG6_3). Thermal Gravimetric Analysis showed the yield of CNTs grown under these optimum condition was 33.6 + 0.37 wt. %. As the CNTs remained strongly attached to the surface of the gel, the grafting process produced excellent dispersion of the CNTs within polymer matrices as CNT bundle formation was prevented. The inclusion of micron size silica introduced a large excluded volume within polymer matrices, with the dispersion of CNTs restricted to a region along the silica surface. This arrangement aided the formation of an electrically conductive network in a poly (vinyl) alcohol matrix, where the critical percolation threshold (pc) was calculated as 0.62 wt. % of SG6_3, equivalent to a CNT content of 0.2 wt. %. The inclusion of SG6_3 into an epoxy resin suspension did not alter the rheological behaviour of the resin up to the highest loading employed (5 wt. %, ? 1.65 wt. % of CNTs). Within the linear viscoelastic region the viscoelastic moduli of the neat resin remained within the same magnitude, whilst the addition of 1.65 wt. % of commercially available CNTs into the same resin increased the storage and loss moduli by up to seven and three orders of magnitude, respectively. The complex viscosity of the suspension remained unchanged regardless of the amount of SG6_3 added; whereas an increase in viscosity of up to five orders of magnitude resulted from the addition of 1.65 wt. % non ? grafted CNTs.Grafting of CNTs onto the surface of micron size spherical silica gel has been shown to provide a means of incorporating CNTs into a polymer without increasing viscosity. In addition, the SG6_3 also formed an electrically-conductive percolated network in an epoxy resin composite at low levels of addition, with pc = 0.16 wt. % of CNTs (i.e. 0.5 wt. % SG6_3).
Differential Effects of Lichens versus Liverworts Epiphylls on Host Leaf Traits in the Tropical Montane Rainforest, Hainan Island, China

Epiphylls widely colonize vascular leaves in moist tropical forests. Understanding the effects of epiphylls on leaf traits of host plants is critical for understanding ecological function of epiphylls. A study was conducted in a rain forest to investigate leaf traits of the host plants Photinia prunifolia colonized with epiphyllous liverworts and foliicolous lichens as well as those of uncolonized leaves. Our results found that the colonization of lichens significantly decreased leaf water content (LWC), chlorophyll (Chl) a and a + b content, and Chl a/b of P. prunifolia but increased Chl b content, while that of liverworts did not affect them as a whole. The variations of net photosynthetic rates (P n) among host leaves colonized with different coverage of lichens before or after removal treatment (a treatment to remove epiphylls from leaf surface) were greater than that colonized with liverworts. The full cover of lichens induced an increase of light compensation point (LCP) by 21% and a decrease of light saturation point (LSP) by 54% for their host leaves, whereas that of liverworts displayed contrary effects. Compared with the colonization of liverworts, lichens exhibited more negative effects on the leaf traits of P. prunifolia in different stages of colonization. The results suggest that the responses of host leaf traits to epiphylls are affected by the epiphyllous groups and coverage, which are also crucial factors in assessing ecofunctions of epiphylls in tropical forests.
A Specification Test for Instrumental Variables Regression with Many Instruments

This paper considers specification testing for instrumental variables estimation in the presence of many instruments. The test proposed is a modified version of the Sargan (1958, Econometrica 26(3): 393-415) test of overidentifying restrictions. The test statistic asymptotically follows the standard normal distribution under the null hypothesis of correct specification when the number of instruments increases with the sample size. We find that the new test statistic is numerically equivalent up to a sign to the test statistic proposed by Hahn and Hausman (2002, Econometrica 70(1): 163-189). We also assess the size and power properties of the test.
The Kidney in Pregnancy

Kidney function is essential to a healthy pregnancy. Both pregnancy and chronic kidney disease (CKD) can impact the outcome of the other. While pregnancy is possible in women with CKD, both the mother and the foetus are at a high risk for complications as well as progression of CKD. Recognizing the many physiologic as well as anantomic adaptations that occur in the kidney during pregnancy is essential to prevention, early identification, diagnostic evaluation as well as therapeutic interventions that can lead to a successful pregnancy. This chapter reviews the etiology, diagnosis and management of the full spectrum of kidney injury including acute kidney injury, CKD, patients with end stage kidney disease requiring renal replacement therapy, pregnancy in patient’s with a renal graft and systemic illnesses associated with pregnancy.
Effects of oral magnesium supplementation on inflammatory markers in middle-aged overweight women

Background: This study aimed to investigate whether magnesium supplementation might affect serum magnesium, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), plasma fibrinogen, and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels in healthy middle-aged overweight women. The relationships, if any, between serum magnesium and the inflammatory markers were also examined cross-sectionally in the entire participants at the beginning of the study. Materials and Methods: This double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized trial included 74 middle-aged overweight women. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 250 mg magnesium as magnesium oxide or placebo daily for 8 weeks. Serum magnesium, hs-CRP, fibrinogen and IL-6 concentrations were measured before and after the intervention. Results: Serum magnesium was found to be inversely correlated with hs-CRP (rs =−0.22, P=0.05) in the entire participants at baseline. Serum hs-CRP declined significantly in both groups as compared with baseline values (median change=0.8 mg/L; PMagnesium= 0.03, PPlacebo < 0.001). Plasma fibrinogen decreased significantly, by 9%, in the magnesium group at the end of week 8 compared to baseline (P=0.001). Mean concentration of IL-6 was significantly increased in the magnesium group comparing the baseline value(P=0.001). However hs-CRP, fibrinogen and IL-6 levels at week 8 or any changes during the study were not statistically different between the two groups. Serum magnesium showed no significant changes in any groups. Conclusions: Serum magnesium had a significant inverse correlation with hs-CRP. In the present study, magnesium as magnesium oxide, 250 mg/day, for 8 weeks did not significantly attenuate inflammatory markers in the magnesium group as compared to the placebo.
Instructions for use Title Thermogenic Ability of Uncoupling Protein 1 in Beige Adipocytes in Mice Author ( s )

Chronic adrenergic activation leads to the emergence of beige adipocytes in some depots of white adipose tissue in mice. Despite their morphological similarities to brown adipocytes and their expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), a thermogenic protein exclusively expressed in brown adipocytes, the beige adipocytes have a gene expression pattern distinct from that of brown adipocytes. However, it is unclear whether the thermogenic function of beige adipocytes is different from that of classical brown adipocytes existing in brown adipose tissue. To examine the thermogenic ability of UCP1 expressed in beige and brown adipocytes, the adipocytes were isolated from the fat depots of C57BL/6J mice housed at 24uC (control group) or 10uC (cold-acclimated group) for 3 weeks. Morphological and gene expression analyses revealed that the adipocytes isolated from brown adipose tissue of both the control and cold-acclimated groups consisted mainly of brown adipocytes. These brown adipocytes contained large amounts of UCP1 and increased their oxygen consumption when stimulated with norepinephirine. Adipocytes isolated from the perigonadal white adipose tissues of both groups and the inguinal white adipose tissue of the control group were white adipocytes that showed no increase in oxygen consumption after norepinephrine stimulation. Adipocytes isolated from the inguinal white adipose tissue of the coldacclimated group were a mixture of white and beige adipocytes, which expressed UCP1 and increased their oxygen consumption in response to norepinephrine. The UCP1 content and thermogenic ability of beige adipocytes estimated on the basis of their abundance in the cell mixture were similar to those of brown adipocytes. These results revealed that the inducible beige adipocytes have potent thermogenic ability comparable to classical brown adipocytes. Citation: Okamatsu-Ogura Y, Fukano K, Tsubota A, Uozumi A, Terao A, et al. (2013) Thermogenic Ability of Uncoupling Protein 1 in Beige Adipocytes in Mice. PLoS ONE 8(12): e84229. doi:10.1371/journal.pone. 0084229 Editor: Marià Alemany, University of Barcelona, Faculty of Biology, Spain Received September 5, 2013; Accepted November 21, 2013; Published December 30, 2013 Copyright: 2013 Okamatsu-Ogura et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Funding: This work is supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (21780261) from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport, Science and Technology of Japan and by a grant from the Akiyama Life Science Foundation. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. * E-mail: keixxx@vetmed.hokudai. ac.jp
Off-line Handwritten Signature GPDS-960 Corpus

The current need for large databases to evaluate automatic biometric recognition systems has motivated the developing of the GPDS-960 corpus, an off-line handwritten signature database which contains 24 genuine signatures and 30 forgeries of 960 individuals. This paper describes the GPDS signature corpus, gives details about the acquisition protocols and presents preliminary verification results obtained using the GPDS data.
Anti-CD123 chimeric antigen receptor T-cells (CART): an evolving treatment strategy for hematological malignancies, and a potential ace-in-the-hole against antigen-negative relapse

Abstract Chimeric antigen receptor-modified T-cells (CART) are a potent and targeted immunotherapy which have induced remissions in some patients with chemotherapy refractory or relapsed (RR) hematologic malignancies. Hundreds of patients have now been treated worldwide with anti-CD19 CART cells, with complete response rates of up to 90%. CART therapy has a unique toxicity profile, and unfortunately not all responses are durable. Treatment failure occurs via two main routes – by loss of the CART cell population, or relapse with antigen loss. Emerging data indicate that targeting an alternative antigen instead of, or as well as CD19, could improve CART cell efficacy and reduce antigen-negative relapse. Other strategies include the addition of other immune-based therapies. This review explores the rationale, pre-clinical data and currently investigative strategies underway for CART therapy targeting the myeloid and lymphoid stem/progenitor antigen CD123.
Stochastic Gradient Riemannian Langevin Dynamics on the Probability Simplex

In this paper we investigate the use of Langevin Monte Carlo methods on the probability simplex and propose a new method, Stochastic gradient Riemannian Langevin dynamics, which is simple to implement and can be applied to large scale data. We apply this method to latent Dirichlet allocation in an online mini-batch setting, and demonstrate that it achieves substantial performance improvements over the state of the art online variational Bayesian methods.