Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lathe Turning of Titanium Using Pulsed Laser Deposited, Ultra‐Hard Boride Coatings of Carbide Inserts

Despite several years of research and development, titanium machining remains a challenging task that is currently carried out by the use of straight WC/Co and polycrystalline diamond (PCD) tools. Commercially available coated tools tend to react chemically with titanium, while ceramic tools suffer from chipping and notching. Advancements in cutting tools, particularly coated carbides, are needed to reduce tool wear in machining of titanium alloys. In this work, a recently developed, ultra‐hard AlMgB14–20%TiB2 composite material was applied as a coating on WC/6%Co tool inserts by a pulsed laser (excimer) deposition technique. The coating was smooth, continuous, and fairly uniform in thickness. The average coating thickness was 0.7 μm for a deposition rate of 0.08 nm per pulse. Nanoindentation tests revealed that the hardness of the coating was approximately twice that of the WC/6%Co substrate. Dry machining tool wear tests, conducted with a CNC lathe by turning bar stocks of heat‐treated Ti‐6Al‐4V alloy, showed that the coated tools outperformed uncoated tools by about two times in flank and nose wears and performed nearly same as that of the commercially available TiAlN coated tool. Detailed analysis of worn tools revealed that the wear mechanisms are quite different in coated tools and are similar to those observed in PCD tools. Results agree well with the general observation that a stable, strong adherent layer forms at the interface between the tool and the chip and minimizes the dissolution–diffusion wear mechanism.
Successive omniscience

The problem of successive omniscience is formulated for the study of a recently proposed multivariate mutual information measure. In this problem, a set of users want to achieve omniscience, i.e., recover the private sources of each other by exchanging messages. However, the omniscience is achieved in a successive manner such that local subgroups of users can first achieve local omniscience, i.e., recover the private sources of other users in the same subgroups. Global omniscience among all users is achieved by an additional exchange of messages. This formulation can be motivated by a distributed storage system that enables file sharing among groups of users. It is shown that the multivariate mutual information can be used to characterize the minimum storage required as well as the conditions under which local omniscience can be achieved for free without increasing the total communication rate required for global omniscience. Our results provide new interpretations of the multivariate mutual information.
Physical and social activities mediate the associations between social network types and ventilatory function in Chinese older adults.

OBJECTIVE This study examined the associations between social network types and peak expiratory flow (PEF), and whether these associations were mediated by social and physical activities and mood. METHOD Nine hundred twenty-four community-dwelling Chinese older adults, who were classified into five network types (diverse, friend-focused, family-focused, distant family, and restricted), provided data on demographics, social and physical activities, mood, smoking, chronic diseases, and instrumental activities of daily living. PEF and biological covariates, including blood lipids and glucose, blood pressure, and height and weight, were assessed. Two measures of PEF were analyzed: the raw reading in L/min and the reading expressed as percentage of predicted normal value on the basis of age, sex, and height. Diverse, friend-focused, and distant family networks were hypothesized to have better PEF values compared with restricted networks, through higher physical and/or social activities. No relative advantage was predicted for family-focused networks because such networks tend to be associated with lower physical activity. RESULTS Older adults with diverse, friend-focused, and distant family networks had significantly better PEF measures than those with restricted networks. The associations between diverse network and PEF measures were partially mediated by physical exercise and socializing activity. The associations between friend-focused network and PEF measures were partially mediated by socializing activity. No significant PEF differences between family-focused and restricted networks were found. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that social network types are associated with PEF in older adults, and that network-type differences in physical and socializing activity is partly responsible for this relationship.
Empathy and visual perspective-taking performance

This study examined the extent to which visual perspective-taking performance is modulated by trait-level empathy. Participants completed a third-person visual perspective-taking task in which they judged the perspectives of two simultaneously presented avatars, designated “Self” and “Other. ” Depending on the trial, these avatars either held the same view (i.e., congruent) or a different view (i.e., incongruent). Analyses focused on the relationship between empathy and two perspective-taking phenomena: Selection between competing perspectives (i.e., perspective-congruence effects) and prioritization of the Self avatar’s perspective. Empathy was related to improved overall performance on this task and a reduced cost of selecting between conflicting perspectives (i.e., smaller perspective-congruence effects). This effect was asymmetric, with empathy (i.e., empathic concern) levels predicting reduced interference from a conflicting perspective, especially when adopting the Self (vs. Other) avatar’s perspective. Taken together, these results highlight the importance of the self–other distinction and mental flexibility components of empathy.
Low velocity impact and delamination buckling behavior of composite laminates with embedded optical fibers

A drop-weight impact test and delamination buckling test were performed to investigate the development of impact damage and post-impact compression behavior of cross-ply composite laminates with optical fibers embedded in the interface of two different angle plies. It was found that the presence of optical fibers had little or marginal effect on the shape and size of damage area of the laminate when the optical fibers were embedded parallel to the host reinforcing fibers. Non-parallel optical fibers promoted unstable crack growth through the formation of resin rich regions, which in turn increased slightly the impact damage area. It was also shown that a large number of parallel optical fibers may have an ameliorating effect on delamination buckling strength as they promote the waviness of the delamination fracture surface.
Differences in Gastric Carcinoma Microenvironment Stratify According to EBV Infection Intensity: Implications for Possible Immune Adjuvant Therapy

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with roughly 10% of gastric carcinomas worldwide (EBVaGC). Although previous investigations provide a strong link between EBV and gastric carcinomas, these studies were performed using selected EBV gene probes. Using a cohort of gastric carcinoma RNA-seq data sets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we performed a quantitative and global assessment of EBV gene expression in gastric carcinomas and assessed EBV associated cellular pathway alterations. EBV transcripts were detected in 17% of samples but these samples varied significantly in EBV coverage depth. In four samples with the highest EBV coverage (hiEBVaGC – high EBV associated gastric carcinoma), transcripts from the BamHI A region comprised the majority of EBV reads. Expression of LMP2, and to a lesser extent, LMP1 were also observed as was evidence of abortive lytic replication. Analysis of cellular gene expression indicated significant immune cell infiltration and a predominant IFNG response in samples expressing high levels of EBV transcripts relative to samples expressing low or no EBV transcripts. Despite the apparent immune cell infiltration, high levels of the cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cell inhibitor, IDO1, was observed in the hiEBVaGCs samples suggesting an active tolerance inducing pathway in this subgroup. These results were confirmed in a separate cohort of 21 Vietnamese gastric carcinoma samples using qRT-PCR and on tissue samples using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Lastly, a panel of tumor suppressors and candidate oncogenes were expressed at lower levels in hiEBVaGC versus EBV-low and EBV-negative gastric cancers suggesting the direct regulation of tumor pathways by EBV.
Toll-like receptor 4 confers inflammatory response to Suilysin

Streptococcus suis serotype 2 (SS2) is an emerging human pathogen worldwide. A large outbreak occurred in the summer of 2005 in China. Serum samples from this outbreak revealed that levels of the main proinflammatory cytokines were significantly higher in patients with streptococcal toxic-shock-like syndrome (STSLS) than in patients with meningitis only. However, the mechanism underlying the cytokine storm in STSLS caused by SS2 remained unclear. In this study, we found that suilysin (SLY) is the main protein inflammatory stimulus of SS2 and that native SLY (nSLY) stimulated cytokines independently of its haemolytic ability. Interestingly, a small amount of SLY (Å Mol/L) induced strong, long-term TNF-α release from human PBMCs. We also found that nSLY stimulated TNF-α in wild-type macrophages but not in macrophages from mice that carried a spontaneous mutation in TLR4 (P712H). We demonstrated for the first time that SLY stimulates immune cells through TLR4. In addition, the Myd88 adaptor-p38-MAPK pathway was involved in this process. The present study suggested that the TLR4-dependent inflammatory responses induced by SLY in host might contribute to the STSLS caused by SS2 and that p38-MAPK could be used as a target to control the release of excess TNF-α induced by SS2.
Sequence Polymorphism of Cytochrome b Gene in Theileria annulata Tunisian Isolates and Its Association with Buparvaquone Treatment Failure

Background Buparvaquone (BW 720C) is the major hydroxynaphtoquinone active against tropical theileriosis (Theileria annulata infection). Previous studies showed that buparvaquone, similarly to others hydroxynaphtoquinone, probably acts by binding to cytochrome b (cyt b) inhibiting the electron transport chain in the parasite. Several observations suggested that T. annulata is becoming resistant to buparvaquone in many endemic regions (Tunisia, Turkey and Iran), which may hinder the development of bovine livestock in these areas. Methodology/Principal Findings In the present study we sought to determine whether point mutations in T. annulata cytochrome b gene could be associated to buparvaquone resistance. A total of 28 clones were studied in this work, 19 of which were obtained from 3 resistant isolates (ST2/12, ST2/13 and ST2/19) collected at different time after treatment, from a field treatment failure and nine clones isolated from 4 sensitive stocks of T. annulata (Beja, Battan, Jed4 and Sousse). The cytochrome b gene was amplified and sequenced. We identified five point mutations at the protein sequences (114, 129, 253, 262 and 347) specific for the clones isolated from resistant stocks. Two of them affecting 68% (13/19) of resistant clones, are present in the drug-binding site Q02 region at the position 253 in three resistant clones and at the position 262 in 11 out of 19 resistant clones. These two mutations substitute a neutral and hydrophobic amino acids by polar and hydrophilic ones which could interfere with the drug binding capabilities. When we compared our sequences to the Iranian ones, the phylogenetic tree analyses show the presence of a geographical sub-structuring in the population of T. annulata. Conclusions/Significance Taken together, our results suggest that the cytochrome b gene may be used as a tool to discriminate between different T. annulata genotypes and also as a genetic marker to characterize resistant isolates of T. annulata.
A publishing system for efficiently creating dynamic Web content

This paper presents a publishing system for efficiently creating dynamic Web content. Complex Web pages are constructed from simpler fragments. Fragments may recursively embed other fragments. Relationships between Web pages and fragments are represented by object dependence graphs. We present algorithms for efficiently detecting and updating Web pages affected after one or more fragments change. We also present algorithms for publishing sets of Web pages consistently; different algorithms are used depending upon the consistency requirements. Our publishing system provides an easy method for Web site designers to specify and modify inclusion relationships among Web pages and fragments. Users can update content on multiple Web pages by modifying a template. The system then automatically updates an Web pages affected by the change. Our system accommodates both content that must be proof-read before publication and is typically from humans as well as content that has to be published immediately and is typically from automated feeds. Our system is deployed at several popular Web sites including the 2000 Olympic Games Web site. We discuss some of our experiences with real deployments of our system as well as its performance.
In vitro Antibacterial Activity of Lucilia sericata Maggot Secretions

Maggots of the green blowfly, Lucilia sericata, are used as an alternative to surgical intervention and long-term antiseptic therapy for the treatment of chronic wounds. The secretions of maggots are known to have antibacterial properties. To quantify the bactericidal effect of secretions from larvae of L. sericata, an in vitro test model based on the modified European quantitative suspension test (EN 1040) was developed, in which a co-culture of maggots and bacteria (Micrococcus luteus,Escherichia coli, methicillin-sensitive Staphylo-coccus aureus) in tryptic soy broth was tested. The numbers of bacterial colonies with and without maggot exposure were compared after 24, 48 and 72 h of exposure. The mean log10 reduction factor (RF) for bacterial elimination per maggot was >4 at all examined times for all tested bacteria. Thus, maggot secretion fulfilled the required definitions of an antiseptic. In addition, the maggots’ ability to ingest bacteria was also evaluated. Maggots contained viable bacteria after 48 h of contact with the respective organisms. These maggots also continued excreting bacteria. Therefore, maggots should be disposed of after use as they must be regarded as medical waste.
Bridging the Gaps in Palliative Care Bereavement Support: An International Perspective

A review of palliative care policies and bereavement support practices in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan demonstrated 4 challenges: questions over providing universal versus targeted support; a lack of clear evidence driving service delivery; informal or no risk assessment; and limited or no evaluation of services. Bridging the gaps between the policy and practice of palliative care bereavement support requires acknowledging the challenges of medical and public health models, improving bereavement need assessment processes, enhancing the role of primary care providers, and extending research to provide an evidence-base for interventions.
Stroke in Black South African HIV-Positive Patients: A Prospective Analysis

Background and Purpose— Stroke associated with HIV infection is poorly characterized. In this study we analyze the association in a black African population. Methods— The clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics of 35 hospital-based black South African, heterosexual, HIV-infected patients who did not abuse intravenous drugs and presented with strokes were prospectively studied. The patients were antiretroviral therapy naive. Patients with other intracranial space-occupying lesions were excluded from the study. Results— The age range was 20 to 61 years (mean, 32.1 years). There were 21 female and 14 male patients, with a female to male ratio of 1.5:1. Cerebral infarction occurred in 33 patients (94%) and intracerebral hemorrhage in 2 patients (6%). Underlying causes were identified in 30 of the 35 patients (86%) and included coagulopathies, meningitis, cardioembolism, and hypertension. The most common coagulopathy was protein S deficiency. No cause was found in 5 patients (14%). Conclusions— The results are similar to data from studies on young black African stroke patients who are HIV negative.
Hemodynamic Responses to Resistance Exercise With Restricted Blood Flow in Young and Older Men

Abstract Vieira, PJC, Chiappa, GR, Umpierre, D, Stein, R, and Ribeiro, JP. Hemodynamic responses to resistance exercise with restricted blood flow in young and older men. J Strength Cond Res 27(8): 2288–2294, 2013—Exercise with blood flow restriction promotes significant improvements, and it has been considered an attractive exercise strategy, especially for older individuals. However, the acute cardiovascular responses to resistance exercise with blood flow restriction (BFR) are not fully known. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hemodynamic responses during resistance exercise with BFR in young and older individuals. We compared hemodynamic responses in 15 young (30 ± 3 years) and 12 older (66 ± 7 years) subjects during low-intensity resistance biceps curl exercise with (BFR-RE) or without (RE) BFR in a random and crossover design. Heart rate (HR), mean blood pressure (MBP), calf blood flow (CBF), and calf vascular resistance (CVR) were evaluated. Both groups presented similar values at baseline. Compared with RE, HR and MBP were higher during BFR-RE for both the groups, and these changes were maintained during the recovery period. In both the groups, BFR-RE elicited larger decreases in CBF and increased CVR. Both groups showed a significant increase in double product during BFR-RE. In conclusion, resistance exercise with BFR elicits greater hemodynamic changes in healthy young and older subjects, with responses of similar magnitudes in both groups. The safety of BFR in clinical practice demands further study in vulnerable populations.
Nonparametric Engel curves and revealed preference

This paper applies revealed preference theory to the nonparametric statistical analysis of consumer demand. Knowledge of expansion paths is shown to improve the power of nonparametric tests of revealed preference. The tightest bounds on indifference surfaces and welfare measures are derived using an algorithm for which revealed preference conditions are shown to guarantee convergence. Nonparametric Engel curves are used to estimate expansion paths and provide a stochastic structure within which to examine the consistency of household level data and revealed preference theory. An application is made to a long time series of repeated cross-sections from the Family Expenditure Survey for Britain. The consistency of these data with revealed preference theory is examined. For periods of consistency with revealed preference, tight bounds are placed on true cost of living indices.
Sulfonylurea Use Before Stroke Does Not Influence Outcome

Background and Purpose— Sulfonylureas block nonselective cation channels and lower serum glucose and are neuroprotective in animal models of ischemic stroke. Human data on sulfonylureas in acute stroke are sparse and conflicting. We aimed to measure the potential neuroprotective effect of prestroke sulfonylurea use in diabetic patients. Methods— We analyzed data from a prospective cohort of individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) enrolled in nonreperfusion ischemic stroke trials within Virtual International Stroke Trials Archive (VISTA) comprising 1050 patients, 298 with sulfonylurea use before stroke onset. The primary outcome measures were baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score and 90-day modified Rankin Scale score. Results— Compared with patients on no DM medications, those with sulfonylurea use before stroke onset presented with less severe stroke (OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.89) but had similar modified Rankin Scale scores at 90 days (OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.74 to 1.23). Compared with those on other DM agents, there was no difference in initial stroke severity (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.73 to 1.48) nor modified Rankin Scale score at 90 days (OR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.71 to 1.40). Compared with those using any DM medication, patients not on any treatment experienced higher initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.18 to 1.86) and were marginally more likely to have poor outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score >2) at 90 days (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 0.97 to 1.77). Conclusions— Sulfonylurea use before stroke onset did not affect stroke severity or long-term functional outcome compared with other DM treatments. This finding casts doubt on the use of sulfonylureas for prophylactic neuroprotection. Furthermore, patients not using any medication for DM appear to have more severe strokes and worse outcomes.
Rapid evolution of female-biased genes among four species of Anopheles malaria mosquitoes

Understanding how phenotypic differences between males and females arise from the sex-biased expression of nearly identical genomes can often reveal important insights into the biology and evolution of a species. Among Anopheles mosquito species, these phenotypic differences include vectorial capacity, as it is only females that blood feed and thus transmit human malaria. Here, we use RNA-seq data from multiple tissues of four vectors spanning the Anopheles phylogeny to explore the genomic and evolutionary properties of sex-biased genes. We find that in these mosquitoes, in contrast to what has been found in many other organisms, female-biased genes are more rapidly evolving in sequence, expression, and genic turnover, than male-biased genes. Our results suggests that this atypical pattern may be due to the combination of sex-specific life history challenges encountered by females, such as blood feeding. Furthermore, female propensity to only mate once in nature in male swarms likely diminishes sexual selection of post-reproductive traits related to sperm competition among males. We also develop a comparative framework to systematically explore tissue- and sex-specific splicing, to document its conservation throughout the genus and identify a set of candidate genes for future functional analyses of sex-specific isoform usage. Finally, our data reveals that the deficit of male-biased genes on the X chromosomes in Anopheles is a conserved feature in this genus and can be directly attributed to chromosome-wide transcriptional regulation that demasculinizes the X in male reproductive tissues.
Multiple shocks in a zero range type model

In a model similar to zero range we show that a nontrivial class of product distributions is closed under the time-evolution of the process. This class also includes measures fitting to shock data of the limiting PDE. In particular, we show that shocks of this type with discontinuity of size one perform ordinary nearest neighbor random walks only interacting, in an attractive way, via their jump rates. Our results are related to those of Belitsky and Schütz [4] on the simple exclusion process, although we do not use quantum formalism as they do. The structures we find are described from a fixed position. Similar ones were found in Balázs [2], as seen from the random position of the second class particle.