Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Airborne particles released by crushing CNT composites

We investigated airborne particles released as a result of crushing carbon nanotube (CNT) composites using a laboratory scale crusher with rotor blades. For each crushing test, five pellets (approximately 0.1 g) of a polymer (polystyrene, polyamide, or polycarbonate) containing multiwall CNTs (Nanocyl NC7000 or CNano Flotube9000) or no CNTs were placed in the container of the crusher. The airborne particles released by the crushing of the samples were measured. The real-time aerosol measurements showed increases in the concentration of nanometer- and micrometer-sized particles, regardless of the sample type, even when CNT-free polymers were crushed. The masses of the airborne particles collected on filters were below the detection limit, which indicated that the mass ratios of the airborne particles to the crushed pellets were lower than 0.02%. In the electron microscopic analysis, particles with protruding CNTs were observed. However, free-standing CNTs were not found, except for a poorly dispersed CNT-polystyrene composite. This study demonstrated that the crushing test using a laboratory scale crusher is capable of evaluating the potential release of CNTs as a result of crushing CNT composites. The advantage of this method is that only a small amount of sample (several pieces of pellets) is required.
College Students' Awareness of Irrational Judgments on Gambling Tasks: A Dual-Process Account

In 2 studies, the authors examined college students' awareness of irrational judgments on gambling tasks. Participants could express a preference between 2 gambles with equivalent ratios (1:10 vs. 10:100) for Study 1 or no preference for Study 2. Participants also rated their certainty that each response option (i.e., 1:10, 10:100, no preference) was rational (analytically based processing) or irrational (experientially based processing of the ratio information). Only a minority of participants in each study was certain that the only analytically based, rational response was no preference. Those participants who were unaware of the analytically based rational response engaged in more formal and informal gambling activities in comparison with others. The authors interpreted the results as evidence of the importance of regulating dual analytical and experiential processes on gambling-related decision making and behavior.
The Record Industry in an Era of File Sharing: Lessons from Vertical Differentiation

The record industry is undergoing substantial change from Internet-enabled file sharing. There is a heated debate surrounding how record labels should react to file sharing. This paper provides a rigorous economic analysis to identify the profit-maximization behavior for record labels. Using two widely accepted economic models of vertical differentiation, where competing products are priced according to their relative quality, this paper investigates the record labels’ profit-maximizing behavior under the current industry structure. It is assumed that the quality of the music experience using a file sharing service is inferior to that of purchased music. This methodology provides valuable insight into current practices, as well as recommendations for the record industry. The most surprising result is that, consistent with the labels’ behavior, introducing a fee-based, downloadable, music service usually does not increase profits. In addition, closing music sharing services, suing ISPs and universities who are complacent about sharing, and “polluting” the pool of available music are all in the labels’ best interest. However, a number of results also contradict current practices. On the one hand, prices for CDs should decline with the introduction of music sharing services, recognizing that users have an alternative to purchasing CDs. On the other hand, the record labels should aggressively introduce content exclusively for CD purchasers to increase the quality of CDs. Sound economic analysis is key for companies evaluating how to respond to the challenges of the Internet.
Dynamic service adaptation

Change can be observed in our environment and in the technology we build. While changes in the environment happen continuously and implicitly, our technology has to be kept in sync with the changing world around it. Although for some of the changes we can prepare, for most of them we cannot. This is especially true for next generation mobile communication systems that are expected to support the creation of a ubiquitous society where virtually everything is connected and made available within an organic information network. Resources frequently join or leave the network, new types of media or new combinations of existing ones are used to interact and cooperate, and services are tailored to preferences and needs of individual customers to better meet their needs. We outline our research in the area of dynamic service adaptation to provide concepts and technologies allowing for such environments.
Expansion and Deletion of Triplet Repeat Sequences inEscherichia coli Occur on the Leading Strand of DNA Replication*

Expansions and deletions of triplet repeat sequences that cause human hereditary neurological diseases were previously suggested to be mediated by the formation of DNA hairpins on the lagging strand during replication. The replication properties of CTG·CAG, CGG·CCG, and TTC·GAA repeats were studied inEscherichia coli using an in vivo phagemid system as a model for continuous leading strand synthesis. The repeats were substantially deleted when the CTG, CGG, and GAA repeats were the templates for rolling circle replication from the f1 phage origin. The deletions may be mediated by hairpins formed by these repeat tracts. The distributions of the deletion products of the CTG·CAG and CGG·CCG tracts indicated that hairpins of discrete sizes mediate deletions during complementary strand synthesis. Deletions during rolling circle synthesis are caused by larger hairpins of specific sizes. Thus, most deletion products were of defined lengths, suggesting a preference for specific hairpin intermediates. Small expansions of the CTG·CAG and CGG·CCG repeats were also observed, presumably due to the formation of CTG and CGG hairpins on the nascent complementary strand. Since rolling circle replication has been established in vitro as a model for leading strand synthesis, we conclude that triplet repeat instability can also occur on the leading strand of DNA replication.
Biomarkers for Presymptomatic Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Breast Cancer Patients

Cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin (DOX) remains an important health concern. DOX cardiotoxicity is cumulative-dose-dependent and begins with the first dose of chemotherapy. No biomarker for presymptomatic detection of DOX cardiotoxicity has been validated. Our hypothesis is that peripheral blood cells (PBC) gene expression induced by the early doses of DOX-based chemotherapy could identify potential biomarkers for presymptomatic cardiotoxicity in cancer patients. PBC gene expression of 33 breast cancer patients was conducted before and after the first cycle of DOX-based chemotherapy. Cardiac function was evaluated before the start of chemotherapy and at its completion. Differentially expressed genes (DEG) of patients who developed DOX-associated cardiotoxicity after the completion of chemotherapy were compared with DEG of patients who did not. Ingenuity database was used for functional analysis of DEG. Sixty-sevens DEG (P<0.05) were identified in PBC of patients with DOX-cardiotoxicity. Most of DEG encode proteins secreted by activated neutrophils. The functional analysis of the DEG showed enrichment for immune- and inflammatory response. This is the first study to identify the PBC transcriptome signature associated with a single dose of DOX-based chemotherapy in cancer patients. We have shown that PBC transcriptome signature associated with one dose of DOX chemotherapy in breast cancer can predict later impairment of cardiac function. This finding may be of value in identifying patients at high or low risk for the development of DOX cardiotoxicity during the initial doses of chemotherapy and thus to avoid the accumulating toxic effects from the subsequent doses during treatment.
A common promoter polymorphism in the hepatic lipase gene (LIPC-480C>T) is associated with an increase in coronary calcification in type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) and coronary artery calcification (CAC), a measure of subclinical CHD. The hepatic lipase gene promoter polymorphism (LIPC-480C>T) is a common variant affecting lipid metabolism. This study examined the relation between the LIPC-480C>T and CAC in type 1 diabetes. In the type 1 diabetic patients studied, 56% had CAC >0 Agatston units (AU). These subjects had a longer duration of diabetes (26.2 +/- 1.3 vs. 17.8 +/- 1.4 years; P < 0.001), lower HDL cholesterol levels (55.7 +/- 2.4 vs. 61.0 +/- 2.5 mg/dl; P = 0.05), higher triglyceride levels (101 +/- 17.3 vs. 66 +/- 7.6 mg/dl; P < 0.05), and higher diastolic blood pressure (79.7 +/- 1.0 vs. 76.0 +/- 1.4 mmHg; P < 0.05). The LIPC-480 T allele was more common in subjects with CAC (frequency = 0.31 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.14 +/- 0.04; P = 0.006). The proportion with CAC was 44% in LIPC-480CC subjects, 71% in heterozygotes, and 83% in LIPC-480TT subjects (P < 0.01). LIPC-480 T allele frequency increased as the amount of CAC increased (P = 0.007). LIPC-480 genotype was independently associated with the CAC (odds ratio = 2.90, 95% CI 1.22-6.92, P < 0.05) after adjusting for duration of diabetes, age, sex, diastolic blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. In conclusion, the LIPC-480C>T polymorphism was associated with subclinical CHD in type 1 diabetes. This genetic variant may identify subjects in which early intervention to prevent CHD may be appropriate.
Usability of Histological Assessment of Cerebellar Granule Cell LayerRegardless of Postmortem Interval

We often encounter many decomposed cases in the forensic science fields. Damage to organs by bacteria complicates our diagnosis, examination and study. The central nerve system is one of the most hardly decomposed organs. The cerebellar granule cell layer (GCL) is useful for some investigation. We histologically evaluated cerebellar GCL of decomposed and fresh cases using Photoshop™ application. No statistical difference was found between two groups. In addition, we grouped by agonal situation and histologically evaluated cerebellar GCL. We could only show the statistical difference between carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and house fire because of shortage number of some groups, but the comparison of the box plots suggested some relations between GCL and agonal situation. We suggest conservation of histological findings of cerebellar GCL regardless of postmortem interval and usability for detecting agonal situation.
Most microbe-specific naïve CD4+ T cells produce memory cells during infection

All T cells can remember One of the hallmarks of adaptive immunity is that T and B lymphocytes “remember” previous infections, protecting the host from subsequent infections. When T cells respond to a pathogen, they proliferate, and a fraction of their progeny goes on to form long-lived memory cells. It is not clear whether all of the T cell clones that respond to the initial infection have the potential to form memory T cells. Tubo et al. used a single-cell adoptive transfer model in mice to answer this question. Nearly all T cell clones produced memory cells, which suggests that breadth is probably an important component of immunological memory. Science, this issue p. 511 Nearly every immunological T cell has the potential to give rise to memory cells. Infection elicits CD4+ memory T lymphocytes that participate in protective immunity. Although memory cells are the progeny of naïve T cells, it is unclear that all naïve cells from a polyclonal repertoire have memory cell potential. Using a single-cell adoptive transfer and spleen biopsy method, we found that in mice, essentially all microbe-specific naïve cells produced memory cells during infection. Different clonal memory cell populations had different B cell or macrophage helper compositions that matched effector cell populations generated much earlier in the response. Thus, each microbe-specific naïve CD4+ T cell produces a distinctive ratio of effector cell types early in the immune response that is maintained as some cells in the clonal population become memory cells.
Value of severity scales in predicting mortality from community-acquired pneumonia: systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Several scoring systems have been used to predict mortality in patients with community-acquired pneumonia. The properties of commonly used risk stratification scales were systematically reviewed. Methods MEDLINE and EMBASE (January 1999–October 2009) were searched for prospective studies that reported mortality at 4–8 weeks in patients with radiographically-confirmed community-acquired pneumonia. The search focused on the Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) and the three main iterations of the CURB (confusion, urea nitrogen, respiratory rate, blood pressure) scale (CURB-65, CURB, CRB-65), and test performance was evaluated based on ‘higher risk’ categories as follows: PSI class IV/V, CURB-65 (score ≥3), CURB (score ≥2) and CRB-65 (score ≥2). Random effects meta-analysis was used to generate summary statistics of test performance and receiver operating characteristic curves were used for predicting mortality. Results 402 articles were screened and 23 studies involving 22 753 participants (average mortality 7.4%) were retrieved. The respective diagnostic odds ratios for mortality were 10.77 (PSI), 6.40 (CURB-65), 5.97 (CRB-65) and 5.75 (CURB). Overall, PSI had the highest sensitivity and lowest specificity for mortality, CRB-65 was the most specific (but least sensitive) test and CURB-65/CURB were between the two. Negative predictive values for mortality were similar among the tests, ranging from 0.94 (CRB-65) to 0.98 (PSI), whereas positive predictive values ranged from 0.14 (PSI) to 0.28 (CRB-65). Conclusions The current risk stratification scales (PSI, CURB-65, CRB-65 and CURB) have different strengths and weaknesses. All four scales had good negative predictive values for mortality in populations with a low prevalence of death but were less useful with regard to positive predictive values.
What Does My Avatar Say About Me? Inferring Personality From Avatars

Many individuals now meet and develop friendships while online. As a result, people must form impressions of online acquaintances based on that person’s online representation. Here, we investigate personality inferences and intentions to befriend based solely on simple avatars (i.e., customized cartoon representations of the self). Our data show that some traits are more easily inferred from avatars than others, avatars can communicate accurate and distinctive information regarding personality, and individuals with certain personality traits create avatars that are more likely to be perceived accurately. We also found that agreeable and normative individuals created avatars that elicited more desire for friendship from others, implying that the impression given by one’s digital avatars may have social consequences.
Regeneration of Vestibular Otolith Afferents after Ototoxic Damage

Regeneration of receptor cells and subsequent functional recovery after damage in the auditory and vestibular systems of many vertebrates is well known. Spontaneous regeneration of mammalian hair cells does not occur. However, recent approaches provide hope for similar restoration of hearing and balance in humans after loss. Newly regenerated hair cells receive afferent terminal contacts, yet nothing is known about how reinnervation progresses or whether regenerated afferents finally develop normal termination fields. We hypothesized that neural regeneration in the vestibular otolith system would recapitulate the topographic phenotype of afferent innervation so characteristic of normal development. We used an ototoxic agent to produce complete vestibular receptor cell loss and epithelial denervation, and then quantitatively examined afferent regeneration at discrete periods up to 1 year in otolith maculas. Here, we report that bouton, dimorph, and calyx afferents all regenerate slowly at different time epochs, through a progressive temporal sequence. Furthermore, our data suggest that both the hair cells and their innervating afferents transdifferentiate from an early form into more advanced forms during regeneration. Finally, we show that regeneration remarkably recapitulates the topographic organization of afferent macular innervation, comparable with that developed through normative morphogenesis. However, we also show that regenerated terminal morphologies were significantly less complex than normal fibers. Whether these structural fiber changes lead to alterations in afferent responsiveness is unknown. If true, adaptive plasticity in the central neural processing of motion information would be necessitated, because it is known that many vestibular-related behaviors fully recover during regeneration.
Using Electrospun Scaffolds to Promote Macrophage Phenotypic Modulation and Support Wound Healing

Abstract The development of pressure ulcers in spinal cord injury patients is extremely common, often requiring extensive surgical procedures. Macrophages (MACs) play a crucial role in the innate immune system, contributing to wound healing and overall regeneration. MACs have been found to possess the potential to be activated by external factors from their M0 inactive state to an M1 proinflammatory or M2 regenerative state. This study conducted a comprehensive evaluation of MAC phenotype in response to electrospun scaffolds of varying material fiber/pore diameter, fiber stiffness, and +/− inclusion of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Generally, itwas found that the addition of PRP resulted in decreased pore size, where 5 silk fibroin (SF) had the stiffest fibers. Furthermore, PRP scaffolds demonstrated an increased production of VEGF and chemotaxis. The polycaprolactone (PCL) and SF scaffolds had the largest cell infiltration and proliferation. Overall, it was found that 5% SF had both ideal fiber and pore structure, allowing for cell infiltration further enhanced by the presence of PRP. Additionally, this scaffold led to a reasonable production of VEGF while still allowing fibroblast proliferation to occur. These results suggest that such a scaffold could provide an off-the-shelf product capable of modifying the local MAC response.
Effect of nanoparticles binding β-amyloid peptide on nitric oxide production by cultured endothelial cells and macrophages

Background As part of a project designing nanoparticles for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, we have synthesized and characterized a small library of nanoparticles binding with high affinity to the β-amyloid peptide and showing features of biocompatibility in vitro, which are important properties for administration in vivo. In this study, we focused on biocompatibility issues, evaluating production of nitric oxide by cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells and macrophages, used as models of cells which would be exposed to nanoparticles after systemic administration. Methods The nanoparticles tested were liposomes and solid lipid nanoparticles carrying phosphatidic acid or cardiolipin, and PEGylated poly(alkyl cyanoacrylate) nanoparticles (PEG-PACA). We measured nitric oxide production using the Griess method as well as phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and intracellular free calcium, which are biochemically related to nitric oxide production. MTT viability tests and caspase-3 detection were also undertaken. Results Exposure to liposomes did not affect the viability of endothelial cells at any concentration tested. Increased production of nitric oxide was detected only with liposomes carrying phosphatidic acid or cardiolipin at the highest concentration (120 μg/mL), together with increased synthase phosphorylation and intracellular calcium levels. Macrophages exposed to liposomes showed a slightly dose-dependent decrease in viability, with no increase in production of nitric oxide. Exposure to solid lipid nanoparticles carrying phosphatidic acid decreased viability in both cell lines, starting at the lowest dose (10 μg/mL), with increased production of nitric oxide detected only at the highest dose (1500 μg/mL). Exposure to PEG-PACA affected cell viability and production of nitric oxide in both cell lines, but only at the highest concentration (640 μg/mL). Conclusion Liposomal and PEG-PACA nanoparticles have a limited effect on vascular homeostasis and inflammatory response, rendering them potentially suitable for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Moreover, they highlight the importance of testing such nanoparticles for production of nitric oxide in vitro in order to identify a therapeutic dose range suitable for use in vivo.
Do multiple nuclear factor kappa B activation mechanisms explain its varied effects in the heart?

BACKGROUND Multiple studies have demonstrated the important role of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in cardiac pathology. However, these studies' conclusions differ regarding whether NF-κB is protective or detrimental for heart function. This disagreement is not surprising considering the complexity of NF-κB signaling that involves multiple components and regulation at several steps. Furthermore, NF-κB is a pleiotropic transcription factor that receives signals from multiple pathways, including the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and cytokines, 2 important modulators of cardiac remodeling. METHODS In this article, we review studies related to the role and mechanisms of NF-κB activation in the heart, particularly with regard to the RAS, inflammation, and diabetes. The objective of this review is to consolidate multiple, often contradictory, findings to develop a clear understanding of NF-κB signaling in the heart. CONCLUSIONS The studies we review demonstrate that NF-κB effects in the heart are mechanism specific and that NF-κB signaling is cyclical. Consequently, the timing of NF-κB measurement is critical, and studies focused on temporal changes in the NF-κB mechanism would help clarify its multiple roles in cardiac pathophysiology.
Envelope Protein Palmitoylations Are Crucial for Murine Coronavirus Assembly

ABSTRACT The coronavirus assembly process encloses a ribonucleoprotein genome into vesicles containing the lipid-embedded proteins S (spike), E (envelope), and M (membrane). This process depends on interactions with membranes that may involve palmitoylation, a common posttranslational lipidation of cysteine residues. To determine whether specific palmitoylations influence coronavirus assembly, we introduced plasmid DNAs encoding mouse hepatitis coronavirus (MHV) S, E, M, and N (nucleocapsid) into 293T cells and found that virus-like particles (VLPs) were robustly assembled and secreted into culture medium. Palmitate adducts predicted on cysteines 40, 44, and 47 of the 83-residue E protein were then evaluated by constructing mutant cDNAs with alanine or glycine codon substitutions at one or more of these positions. Triple-substituted proteins (E.Ts) lacked palmitate adducts. Both native E and E.T proteins localized at identical perinuclear locations, and both copurified with M proteins, but E.T was entirely incompetent for VLP production. In the presence of the E.T proteins, the M protein subunits accumulated into detergent-insoluble complexes that failed to secrete from cells, while native E proteins mobilized M into detergent-soluble secreted forms. Many of these observations were corroborated in the context of natural MHV infections, with native E, but not E.T, complementing debilitated recombinant MHVs lacking E. Our findings suggest that palmitoylations are essential for E to act as a vesicle morphogenetic protein and further argue that palmitoylated E proteins operate by allowing the primary coronavirus assembly subunits to assume configurations that can mobilize into secreted lipid vesicles and virions.