Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lubricant Additives Based on Carbon Nanotubes Produced from Carbon-Rich Fly Ash

ABSTRACT Carbon-rich fly ash has been reported to be a suitable precursor and catalyst for carbon nanotube (CNT) growth. In this work, CNTs grown from carbon-rich fly ash were evaluated as a lubricant oil additive to reduce the friction coefficient of metallic surfaces using a ball-on-disk tribometer. Different concentrations of the as-grown CNTs in the range 0.005–0.5 wt% were dispersed in a base sunflower oil. The value of the friction coefficient was also investigated as a function of load. Excellent results were obtained for the value of the friction coefficient, where it drastically decreased to around 58% of its original value without additives. This was achieved at a very low concentration of CNTs; that is, 0.1 wt%. The obtained result was compared with that of a commercial multiwalled CNT at the same concentration and found to be superior. This superiority of CNTs produced from fly ash could be attributed to the existence of active radical sites on their side wall. Moreover, the friction coefficient value was observed to decrease with increasing load, which might be due to the formation of protective graphitic carbon layers on antagonist surfaces. The viscosity of pure and 0.1 wt% CNTs-impregnated base oil was also studied in the 25–100°C temperature range. No significant changes are observed in the viscosity of the CNTs-impregnated base oil. These results suggest that the low-cost CNTs produced from fly ash are excellent nanomaterials as additives for lubricant oil.
Sexual Ornaments, Body Morphology, and Swimming Performance in Naturally Hybridizing Swordtails (Teleostei: Xiphophorus)

Determining the costs of sexual ornaments is complicated by the fact that ornaments are often integrated with other, non-sexual traits, making it difficult to dissect the effect of ornaments independent of other aspects of the phenotype. Hybridization can produce reduced phenotypic integration, allowing one to evaluate performance across a broad range of multivariate trait values. Here we assess the relationship between morphology and performance in the swordtails Xiphophorus malinche and X. birchmanni, two naturally-hybridizing fish species that differ extensively in non-sexual as well as sexual traits. We took advantage of novel trait variation in hybrids to determine if sexual ornaments incur a cost in terms of locomotor ability. For both fast-start and endurance swimming, hybrids performed at least as well as the two parental species. The sexually-dimorphic sword did not impair swimming performance per se. Rather, the sword negatively affected performance only when paired with a sub-optimal body shape. Studies seeking to quantify the costs of ornaments should consider that covariance with non-sexual traits may create the spurious appearance of costs.
Convergent validation of a virtual reality-based street crossing with neuropsychological tests in neglected and non-neglected stroke patients

Unilateral spatial neglect is one of the most common and disabling impairments of stroke. The assessment of this deficit is carried out with paper and pencil tasks that can lack correspondence to everyday activities. Virtual reality can recreate realistic but safe environments that allow the therapists to study how the patients would react in real life situations. This paper presents a virtual street-crossing system that immerses the participants in a recreated street where they are asked to navigate safely. The presented study with chronic stroke patients showed remarkable correlations of the performing variables of the system with standard cognitive scales, which suggests that virtual reality systems can evidence alterations in cognitive skills, such as neglect.
Young Adult Romantic Relationships: The Role of Parents' Marital Problems and Relationship Efficacy

This study examined the link between parental divorce and marital conflict and young adult romantic relationships, and it tested whether offspring efficacy beliefs and conflict mediate this association. Young adults (N = 358) provided data at three time points each separated by 7-week intervals. Results from structural equation modeling demonstrated that (a) parents' marital conflict, rather than parental divorce, was associated with offspring conflict behavior; (b) relationship efficacy mediated this association; and (c) conflict behavior, in turn, mediated the association between efficacy beliefs and the quality of offspring romantic relationships. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for understanding the impact of parents' marital problems on romantic relationships in young adulthood. Their implications for preventive interventions and future research are also outlined.
Biobanking strategies and regulative approaches in the eU: recent perspectives

Biobanks, ie, systematic collections of human biological materials and associated clinical and lifestyle data, provide an indispensable infrastructure for modern research. Although biobank research takes place on a global scale, there is no internationally binding framework for its ethical and legal regulation yet. A better understanding of existing regulative approaches is an important prerequisite for its ethical and legal harmonization and, thus, for improving the interoperability of biobank-based research in the future. This review focuses on biobanking strategies, regulative approaches, and recent developments in Europe. Specifically, we discuss selected ethical and legal issues in research biobanking in the European context by looking at population biobanks, new participation models, the cross-border sharing of samples, the participation of minors, the handling of incidental health findings, whole genome sequencing, and commercialization. We also provide an overview of regulations on biobank research in the EU and member states and highlight commonalities and differences. Although several common trends can be identified across Europe, we acknowledge the importance of national research traditions that cannot easily be set aside. Thus, harmonization, rather than a complete unification, of approach seems to be the most realistic vision for future biobank research in Europe.
Resurrection of the Comoran fish scale gecko

Fish scale geckos (Geckolepis) are taxonomically poorly resolved, mainly because of the difficulty of applying standard morphological characters to diagnose taxa. Three species, Geckolepis maculata, G. polylepis, and G. typica, are currently recognized from Madagascar and the Comoro Islands. Molecular studies suggested a number of operational taxonomical units within the G. maculata complex, but none of these has been formally described. The Comoran population was described as Geckolepis humbloti Vaillant 1887 but later synonymized. Prior to our study, no genetic data and little other information were available for this taxon. We revised the status of G. humbloti using molecular genetics, external morphology, and osteological characters ret r i eved f rom 3D skele ta l models c rea ted us ing micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Our results demonstrate that G. humbloti represents a genetic lineage strongly distinct from all other Geckolepis species. It is furthermore distinguished by a combination of external morphological characters and probably by osteology. We therefore resurrect G. humblotiVaillant, 1887 from synonymy withG. maculata. Remarkably, this lineage is not restricted to the Comoros: A specimen from Tsingy de Bemaraha in western Madagascar falls as a closely related sister lineage to all Comoran Geckolepis in our molecular phylogenetic analysis and is osteologically almost identical with a specimen from the type locality Grand Comoro. We therefore include it in G. humbloti. The phylogenetic topology and the intraspecific genetic divergences suggest that the Comoros were colonized naturally from western Madagascar by overseas dispersal. G. humbloti is not considered as threatened, but its presence is indicative of natural or near-natural habitats.
Retrieval Practice Makes Procedure From Remembering: An Automatization Account of the Testing Effect

The “testing effect” refers to the striking phenomenon that repeated retrieval practice is one of the most effective learning strategies, and certainly more advantageous for long-term learning, than additional restudying of the same information. How retrieval can boost the retention of memories is still without unanimous explanation. In 3 experiments, focusing on the reaction time (RT) of retrieval, we showed that RT of retrieval during retrieval practice followed a power function speed up that typically characterizes automaticity and skill learning. More important, it was found that the measure of goodness of fit to this power function was associated with long-term recall success. Here we suggest that the automatization of retrieval is an explanatory component of the testing effect. As a consequence, retrieval-based learning has the properties characteristic of skill learning: diminishing involvement of attentional processes, faster processing, resistance to interference effects, and lower forgetting rate.
Effect of a Liver Cancer Education Program on Hepatitis B Screening Among Asian Americans in the Baltimore–Washington Metropolitan Area, 2009–2010

Introduction Asian Americans have the highest incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the major form of primary liver cancer, of all ethnic groups in the United States. Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the most common cause of HCC, and as many as 1 in 10 foreign-born Asian Americans are chronically infected with HBV. We tested the effectiveness of a culturally tailored liver cancer education program for increasing screening for HBV among Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese Americans residing in the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area, from November 2009 through June 2010. Methods We used a cluster randomized controlled trial to recruit volunteer participants from community-based organizations (CBOs) in the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area. We selected 877 participants by using a pretest survey. People were eligible to participate if they had not attended a hepatitis B–related education program in the past 5 years. The intervention group (n = 441) received a 30-minute educational program, and the control group (n = 436) received an educational brochure. After attending the educational program, the intervention group completed a post-education survey. Six months later, participants in both groups were followed up by telephone. Receipt of HBV screening was the outcome measure. Results Approximately 79% (n = 688) of participants completed the 6-month follow-up telephone survey. Among those who had not had HBV screening at baseline (n = 446), the adjusted odds of self-reported receipt of HBV screening at the 6-month follow-up to the educational program were significantly higher for the intervention group than for the control group (odds ratio = 5.13; 95% confidence interval, 3.14–8.39; P < .001). Chinese Americans and Vietnamese Americans had significantly higher odds of having HBV screening in the 6-month period than Korean Americans. Conclusion Culturally tailored education programs that increase liver cancer awareness can be effective in increasing HBV screening among underserved Asian American populations.
Integrative Analysis of Disease Signatures Shows Inflammation Disrupts Juvenile Experience-Dependent Cortical Plasticity

Visual Abstract Throughout childhood and adolescence, periods of heightened neuroplasticity are critical for the development of healthy brain function and behavior. Given the high prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism, identifying disruptors of developmental plasticity represents an essential step for developing strategies for prevention and intervention. Applying a novel computational approach that systematically assessed connections between 436 transcriptional signatures of disease and multiple signatures of neuroplasticity, we identified inflammation as a common pathological process central to a diverse set of diseases predicted to dysregulate plasticity signatures. We tested the hypothesis that inflammation disrupts developmental cortical plasticity in vivo using the mouse ocular dominance model of experience-dependent plasticity in primary visual cortex. We found that the administration of systemic lipopolysaccharide suppressed plasticity during juvenile critical period with accompanying transcriptional changes in a particular set of molecular regulators within primary visual cortex. These findings suggest that inflammation may have unrecognized adverse consequences on the postnatal developmental trajectory and indicate that treating inflammation may reduce the burden of neurodevelopmental disorders.
Seminal glands of buffalo bulls (Bos bubalis L.) during prepubertal and pubertal periods: histological and histochemical.

The current investigation was carried out on the seminal glands of six apparently healthy mature male Buffalo bulls and six immature. The specimens were collected and examined anatomically and histologically after being fixed in 10% buffered neutral formalin. The specimens were subjected to processing till paraffin sections were obtained and stained. The anatomical and histological findings of the seminal glands are varying with age. Anatomically, the immature seminal gland was small sized, flaccid in texture, white in color and measured about 0.80-0.95 gm in weight, 1.95-2.50 cm in length, 1.00-1.15 cm in width and about 0.46-0.60 cm in thickness. Meanwhile, in mature one became larger in size, firm in texture, pale yellow in color, multi-lobulated where had a very large lobules on its outer surface giving, cluster of grapes liked appearance. It measured about 7-8 gm in weight, 5-6 cm in length, 2-2.5 cm in width and about 80-1.3 cm in thickness. Microscopically, the seminal gland was observed consisting of a stroma of connective tissue and a parenchyma of differentiating and undifferentiating acini in immature animal. Meanwhile, in mature one, the parenchyma was consisted of secretory end pieces and well-developed duct system. With advancement of age, the thickness of the capsule and trabeculae increased, also the number of secretory end pieces per unite area increased and the amount of inter-glandular connective tissue stroma reduced.
Strength and stiffness modeling of extended endplate connections with circular and rectangular bolt configurations

The results of a series of finite element (FE) simulations and experimental studies are used to develop strength and stiffness models that predict the failure capacity and response characteristics of unstiffened extended endplate connections with circular and rectangular bolt configurations associated with deep girders. The proposed stiffness models are composed of multi-linear springs which model the overall extended endplate/column flange system deformation and strength of key-components. Comparison of model predictions with FE and experimental results available in the literature show that the proposed models accurately predict the strength and the response of extended endplate/column system with circular and rectangular bolt configurations. The effect of the bolt configuration (circular and rectangular) on the prying phenomenon encountered in the unstiffened extended endplate/column system was investigated. Based on FE results, extended endplate with circular bolt configuration has a more ductile behavior and exhibits higher total prying forces. The proposed models can be used to design connections that cover all possible failure modes for extended endplate with circular bolt configuration. This study provides guidelines for engineers to account for the additional forces induced in the tension bolts and for the maximum rotational capacity demand in the connection which are required for seismic analysis and design.
Structural characterization and electrical properties of carbon nanotubes/epoxy polymer composites

The purpose of this study is to identify the relationship between the electrical and structural characteristics of multiwalled carbon nanotubes dispersed into the polymer matrix of a resin. In a first step, the composites were characterized by small-angle neutron scattering, which provide information about the bulk dispersion of nanotubes in the matrix and form three-dimensional networks with a surface fractal behavior. In the second step, a dielectric and electrical study was carried out in the frequency range between 1 Hz and 10 MHz at room temperature. We have found that the electric and dielectric behavior of these composites can be described by Jonscher's universal dielectric response. We show that the critical exponents describing the concentration dependence of the conductivity and the dielectric constant, obtained in the vicinity of the percolation threshold, are in good agreement with the theoretical values. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 44514.
Evaluation of the osteopontin in oral peripheral and central giant cell granuloma

Aim: Peripheral giant cell granuloma (PGCG) and central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) of the jaws are benign proliferations of spindle-shaped mesenchymal cells and multinucleated giant cells. Despite the histopathologic similarities, they have markedly different clinical behavior. PGCG shows low recurrence rate whereas CGCG shows a variable clinical behavior ranging from nonaggressive lesions to aggressive lesions characterizing by pain, rapid growth, and high recurrence rate. Therefore, the aim of the study was to compare CGCG with PGCG by immunohistochemistry using Ki-67, osteopontin (OPN), and integrin αvantibodies. Subjects and Methods: Twenty PGCG and 20 CGCG were selected for immunohistochemical evaluation of OPN, integrin αv, and Ki-67 in multinucleated giant cells and mononucleated cells of PGCG and CGCG. Results: PGCG showed higher Ki-67 immunoreactivity in mononucleated cells compared to CGCG (P < 0.05). There was no reactivity with Ki-67 in multinucleated giant cells of both groups. Mononucleated cells in CGCGs demonstrated increased OPN and integrin αvexpressions in comparison with PGCGs (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The clinic behavior of CGCG being more aggressive than PGCG might be explained by the high expression of OPN and integrin αv. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the other OPN receptors and their role on the biologic behavior of these lesions.
Non-allowed Pharmacologically Active Substances in Physical and Sexual Performance Enhancing Products

Background: Recently, a large amount of physical and sexual performance enhancing products have started to be freely sold mainly on internet web sites as dietary supplements. However, there a high suspicion that pharmacologically active substance, prohibited in these products, can be present to provide the expected effect. Methods: A simple and rapid systematic toxicological analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry has been applied after a liquid-liquid extraction at acidic, neutral and alkaline pH with chloroform-isopropanol (9:1 v/v). The assays were validated in the range from 10 mg to 250 mg/g products showing a good linearity for the calibration curves (r2 ≥0.99). Mean extraction recoveries of analytes from different products were always higher than 90% and intra-assay and inter-assay precision and accuracy were always better than 15%. Results: The developed method was applied to the analysis of products with a high percentage of sales in websites and smart and sexy shops. In twelve of eighty supplements, anabolic steroids, anti-estrogenic drugs, psychoactive substances and sildenafil and analogs were identified and quantified. Conclusion: Eventual health hazards caused by the hidden presence of pharmacologically active substances in physical and sexual performance enhancing products are reported.
Cardioprotective Effects of Malvidin Against Isoproterenol-Induced Myocardial Infarction in Rats: A Mechanistic Study

Background Malvidin (alvidin-3-glucoside) is a polyphenol that belongs to the class of natural anthocyanin, which is abundantly found in red wines, colored fruits, and the skin of red grapes. Therefore, the current investigation was intended to evaluate the effect of malvidin against myocardial infarction induced by isoproterenol in the rats. Material/Methods The cardioprotective effects was assessed by determining the effect of malvidin on the activities of endogenous antioxidants – catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH) – and on the levels of lipid peroxidation and serum marker enzymes. The serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were also determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Result The present study demonstrated a significant cardioprotective effect of malvidin by restoring the defensive activities of endogenous antioxidants – catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH) – and by reducing the levels of lipid peroxidation and serum marker enzymes lactate dehydrogenase (LD) and creatine kinase (CK). Malvidin significantly ameliorated the histopathological changes and impaired mitochondria in the cardiac necrosis stimulated with isoproterenol. Additionally, the results also demonstrated that nuclear translocation of Nrf-2 and subsequent HO-1 expression might be associated with nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway activation. Conclusions Our findings suggest that malvidin exerts cardioprotective effects that might be due to possible strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, this study provides the basis for the development of malvidin as a safe and effective treatment of myocardial infarction.
Use of Eflornithine (DFMO) in the Treatment of Early Alzheimer's Disease: A Compassionate Use, Single-Case Study

Background: Recent genome-wide association screening (GWAS) studies have linked Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology to gene networks that regulate immune function. Kan et al. recently reported that Arg1 (an anti-inflammatory gene that codes for arginase-1) is expressed in parts of the brain associated with amyloidosis prior to the onset of neuronal loss, suggesting that chronic brain arginine deprivation promotes AD-related neuropathology. They blocked arginine catabolism in their mouse AD model by administration of eflornithine (DFMO) to juvenile animals, effectively blocking the expression of AD-related amyloid pathology as the mice aged. We report results from a single-case study in which DFMO was administered, for the first time, in an attempt to slow progression of AD in a single woman with multi-domain, amnestic MCI who was unable to tolerate an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Methods: Patient C.S. is a 74-year old female with a 5-year history of cognitive decline who was placed on DFMO (500 mg b.i.d.) for 12 months, with amyloid PET scans (baseline and 12-months), APOE genotyping and neuropsychological exams at baseline, 3, 9, and 12 months. Results: C.S. suffered continued cognitive decline over 12 months, including progressive worsening of orientation, social functions and ability to engage in IADL's. She also showed progressive decline on measures of episodic memory and executive function. Florbetapir PET imaging yielded elevated total neocortical SUVr scores at both baseline (SUVr = 1.55) and at 12 months (SUVr = 1.69). Conclusions: We report a first attempt at using DFMO to slow AD progression. This 12-month single-case trial did not halt continued amyloidosis nor cognitive decline. Although this trial was predicated on data reported by Kan et al. (2015) showing that DFMO administered to juvenile AD-prone mice led to diminished amyloid aggregation, this attempt to treat an older mild AD patient may not be a fair test of Kan et al.'s model and results. A future trial might seek to block amyloidosis in young adults who are autosomal gene carriers for early onset AD, or perhaps in adults who are very clearly in the pre-clinical disease stage. Trial Registration: This trial was registered as a Compassionate Use IND #128888 with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).