Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Alterations in gut microbial function following liver transplant

Liver transplantation (LT) improves daily function and ameliorates gut microbial composition. However, the effect of LT on microbial functionality, which can be related to overall patient benefit, is unclear and could affect the post‐LT course. The aims were to determine the effect of LT on gut microbial functionality focusing on endotoxemia, bile acid (BA), ammonia metabolism, and lipidomics. We enrolled outpatient patients with cirrhosis on the LT list and followed them until 6 months after LT. Microbiota composition (Shannon diversity and individual taxa) and function analysis (serum endotoxin, urinary metabolomics and serum lipidomics, and stool BA profile) and cognitive tests were performed at both visits. We enrolled 40 patients (age, 56 ± 7 years; mean Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease score, 22.6). They received LT 6 ± 3 months after enrollment and were re‐evaluated 7 ± 3 months after LT with a stable course. A significant improvement in cognition with increase in microbial diversity, increase in autochthonous and decrease in potentially pathogenic taxa, and reduced endotoxemia were seen after LT compared with baseline. Stool BAs increased significantly after LT, and there was evidence of greater bacterial action (higher secondary, oxo and iso‐BAs) after LT although the levels of conjugated BAs remained similar. There was a reduced serum ammonia and corresponding rise in urinary phenylacetylglutamine after LT. There was an increase in urinary trimethylamine‐N‐oxide, which was correlated with specific changes in serum lipids related to cell membrane products. The ultimate post‐LT lipidomic profile appeared beneficial compared with the profile before LT. In conclusion, LT improves gut microbiota diversity and dysbiosis, which is accompanied by favorable changes in gut microbial functionality corresponding to BAs, ammonia, endotoxemia, lipidomic, and metabolomic profiles. Liver Transplantation 24 752–761 2018 AASLD.
The design space of body games: technological, physical, and social design

The past decade has seen an increased focus on body movement in computer games. We take a step further to look at body games: games in which the main source of enjoyment comes from bodily engagement. We argue that for these games, the physical and social settings become just as important design resources as the technology. Although all body games benefit from an integrated design approach, the social and physical setting become particularly useful as design resources when the technology has limited sensing capabilities. We develop our understanding of body games through a literature study and a concrete design experiment with designing multiplayer games for the BodyBug, a mobile device with limited sensing capabilities. Although the device was designed for free and natural movements, previous games fell short in realizing this design ideal. By designing the technology function together with its physical and social context, we were able to overcome device limitations. One of the games was subsequently incorporated in its commercial release.
Hyaluronic acid-tagged silica nanoparticles in colon cancer therapy: therapeutic efficacy evaluation

Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide, and the therapeutic application of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is limited due to its nonspecificity, low bioavailability, and overdose. The present study is an attempt to improve the chemotherapeutic efficacy of 5-FU in colon cancers. Therefore, we have prepared 5-FU-loaded hyaluronic acid (HA)-conjugated silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) to target to colon cancer cells. In this study, we have showed the specific binding and intracellular accumulation of targeted nanoparticles based on HA surface modifications in colon carcinoma cells. The particles had spherical shapes with sizes of approximately 130 nm. HA-conjugated nanoparticles showed a sustained release pattern for 5-FU and continuously released for 120 hours. We have further investigated the cytotoxicity potential of targeted and nontargeted nanoparticles in colo-205 cancer cells. IC50 value of 5-FU/hyaluronic acid-conjugated silica nanoparticles (HSNP) was 0.65 µg/mL compared with ~2.8 µg/mL for 5-FU/SNP after 24 hours of incubation. The result clearly showed that HA-conjugated NP was more effective in inducing apoptosis in cancer cells than nontargeted NP. The 5-FU/HSNP showed ~45% of cell apoptosis (early and late apoptosis stage) compared with only 20% for 5-FU/silica nanoparticles (SNP)-treated group. The HA-conjugated nanoparticles provide the possibility of efficient drug transport into tumors that could effectively reduce the side effects in the normal tissues. 5-FU/HSNP was highly efficient in suppressing the tumor growth in xenograft tumor model. The proportion of Ki67 in 5-FU/HSNP-treated group was significantly lower than that of either free drug or nontargeted SiNPs. Altogether, we have showed that conjugation of HA to SiNPs could result in enhanced uptake of 5-FU through CD44-mediated endocytosis uptake and could result in significant antitumor efficacy. Thus, 5-FU/HSNP could be a promising drug delivery system for colon cancer therapy.
Respiratory and cutaneous evaporative water loss at high environmental temperatures in a small bird

We measured rates of respiratory and cutaneous evaporative water loss as a function of air temperature in a small desert bird, the verdin Auriparus flaviceps. Birds were placed in a two-compartment metabolic chamber that separately collected water evaporated from the bird's head and body. Cutaneous and respiratory evaporative water loss, as well as CO2 production, were measured in resting birds at 2 °C intervals between 30 and 50 °C. Metabolic rate was lowest at 38 °C (19 mW g-1) and increased to 28 mW g-1 at 50 °C. At the lowest air temperature, 30 °C, resting metabolic rate was 34 mW g-1. As air temperature increased from 30 to 50 °C, cutaneous water loss increased from 3.3 to 10.3 mg g-1 h-1 and respiratory water loss increased from 2.1-64.1 mg g-1 h-1. At moderate air temperatures (30-36 °C), water loss was divided almost evenly between respiratory and cutaneous components. As air temperature increased, however, verdins became heavily dependent on respiratory evaporation for heat dissipation. Evaporative water loss data for other species at high air temperatures suggest that partitioning of water loss may follow two different patterns. Evaporative heat dissipation may depend primarily on either cutaneous or respiratory modes of evaporative heat transfer. The physiological mechanisms and functional significance of these contrasting patterns of evaporative heat loss remain unknown.
Structure factors of s=1/2 spin chains and magnetism at the edges of graphene ribbons

In this thesis we study two different one dimensional systems. The first project is on the transverse dynamical structure factors of the XXZ spin chain and the second project is on magnetism of zigzag edges of graphene nano-ribbons. In chapter 2, we apply field theory methods, first developed to study x-ray edge singularities, to interacting one-dimensional systems in order to include band curvature effects and study edge singularities at arbitrary momentum. We point out that spin chains with uniform Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions provide an opportunity to test these theories since these interactions may be exactly eliminated by a gauge transformation that shifts the momentum. However, this requires an extension of these x-ray edge methods to the transverse spectral function of the XXZ spin chain in a magnetic field. In chapter 3, by considering the Hubbard model in the weak coupling limit, U t, for bearded as well as zigzag edges, we argue for existence of magnetic edges. We first present an argument based on Lieb’s theorem. Then, projecting the Hubbard interactions onto the flat edge band, we prove that the resulting onedimensional model has a fully polarized ferromagnetic ground state. We also study excitons and the effects of second neighbor hopping as well as a potential energy term acting on the edge only, proposing a simple and possibly exact phase diagram with the magnetic moment varying smoothly to zero. Finally, we consider corrections of second order in U, arising from integrating out the gapless bulk Dirac excitations.
Research on Material Composition and Performance of Porous Asphalt Pavement

With many advantages such as high skid resistance, low noise, and less splash and spray, porous asphalt pavement can significantly improve driving quality in wet weather condition and is used widely in Europe, the United States, and Japan. The early research in China on porous asphalt pavement was started in the 1980s. Due to the hot weather, overloaded traffic and poor material properties, the porous asphalt pavement paved in that time is not quite successful. This paper deals with the present research, especially the material composition and its impacts on the performance of porous asphalt pavement. In this study, the empirical equation of air void versus gradation was derived from uniform experimental analysis so that the target gradation could be achieved by using the formula. In addition, the quantitative relationship between air void and drainage efficiency is obtained by a series of experimental studies, and the performances of porous asphalt mixture with three types of bitumen are evaluated to analyze the influence of asphalt property on that of the asphalt mixture. Finally, the binder requirement of porous asphalt for China's weather and traffic condition is proposed.
Study on preparation and properties of reactive sodium silicate adhesive used for wood-based panel

In order to thoroughly solve the problem of free formaldehyde emission caused by organic adhesive,a kind of reactive sodium silicate inorganic adhesive used for wood-based panel was investigated with alternative organic adhesive purpose.The optimal formulation(as mass fraction) was obtained as follows through single factor experiment and orthogonal experiment: sodium silicate 73.4%,silicon dioxide 13.3%,magnesium oxide 7.8%,alumina 3.0%,and zinc oxide 2.4%. The chemical structure,thermal properties,and surface morphology were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer,thermo-gravimetric analyzer and scanning electron microscope.The bonding strength and water resistance were also measured.The results showed that the solidified sodium silicate adhesive had homogenous morphology and good thermal stability in the temperature range of 30～800 ℃. The bonding strength and 24 h water absorption rate of poplar plywood glued by the inorganic adhesive was 0.7 MPa and 31.0%,respectively.
DNA-mediated Gold Nanoparticle Assembly: a Universal Platform for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Applications

Unique physicochemical properties of nanomaterials offer novel methodologies for disease treatment and diagnosis. Dynamic nanoparticle assemblies are adding an additional level of functionality and flexibility by combining multiple nanoparticle types into structures with stimuli-responsive size and surface chemistry. DNA-mediated gold nanoparticles assemblies are offering the most functional and versatile platform, which combines DNA addressability with large surface area, monodispersity, and easy functionalization of gold nanoparticles. Assembly size determines their application, with smaller nanoassemblies particularly suitable for drug delivery, and larger microassemblies used for biosensing. Despite a number of published studies, no in vivo examples or clinically ready biosensors have been reported. Therefore, the goal of this thesis was to identify the barriers for translation in both fields and to develop methods to overcome these limitations. To this end core-satellite nanoassemblies were designed for in vivo delivery, which efficiently protected loaded cargo and minimized macrophage recognition. Their controllable serum stability could be used as the mechanism of cargo release. In vivo nanoassemblies showed longer circulation half-life, improved tumour targeting, and renal bioelimination. In parallel, larger microassembly structures were combined with DNA enzyme signal amplification to generate a novel infectious pathogen biosensor. The assay was
Phenotypic and functional alterations of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells during the disease course of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system involving dysregulated encephalitogenic T cells. Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) have been recognized for their important function in regulating T‐cell responses. Recent studies have indicated a role for MDSCs in autoimmune diseases, but their significance in MS is not clear. Here, we assessed the frequencies of CD14+HLA‐DRlow monocytic MDSCs (Mo‐MDSCs) and CD33+CD15+CD11b+HLA‐DRlow granulocytic MDSCs (Gr‐MDSCs) and investigated phenotypic and functional differences of Mo‐MDSCs at different clinical stages of MS and in healthy subjects (HC). Increased frequencies of Mo‐MDSCs (P < 0.05) and Gr‐MDSCs (P < 0.05) were observed in relapsing‐remitting MS patients during relapse (RRMS‐relapse) compared to stable RRMS (RRMS‐rem). Secondary progressive MS (SPMS) patients displayed a decreased frequency of Mo‐MDSCs and Gr‐MDSCs compared to HC (P < 0.05). Mo‐MDSCs within RRMS patients expressed significantly higher cell surface protein levels of CD86 and CD163 compared to SPMS patients. Mo‐MDSCs within SPMS exhibited decreased mRNA expression of interleukin‐10 and heme oxygenase 1 compared to RRMS and HC. Analysis of T‐cell regulatory function of Mo‐MDSCs demonstrated T‐cell suppressive capacity in RRMS and HCs, while Mo‐MDSCs of SPMS promoted autologous T‐cell proliferation, which aligned with a differential cytokine profile compared to RRMS and HCs. This study is the first to show phenotypic and functional shifts of MDSCs between clinical stages of MS, suggesting a role for MDSCs as a therapeutic target to prevent MS disease progression.
Detection of Amblyopia Using Sweep VEP Vernier and Grating Acuity

Purpose Vernier and grating acuity can be measured with swept-parameter visual evoked potentials (sVEP). However, whether sVEP Vernier and grating acuities are comparable in predicting letter acuity has not been systematically evaluated. This study evaluated the validity and reliability of sVEP Vernier and grating acuity for the detection of amblyopia in adults. Methods Three types of acuity were measured in 36 adults with amblyopia and 36 age-matched normal-vision controls. Letter acuity was measured with a logMAR chart. Both Vernier and grating acuity were estimated by sVEP and psychophysics for the same stimuli. Regression analyses were performed between the perceptual and electrophysiologic acuity measurements. Results SVEP Vernier and grating acuities were significantly correlated with their corresponding psychophysical acuities (P < 0.001). Both the sVEP Vernier (P < 0.0001) and grating (P < 0.01) acuities were also significantly correlated with letter acuity. However, Vernier acuity more precisely reflected the magnitude of the letter acuity loss than did grating acuity for both sVEP and psychophysical measures. Repeating sVEP grating acuity tests with different temporal frequencies and modulation types indicated good reliability of sVEP acuity measures. Conclusions SVEP Vernier acuity has a 1:1 relationship with letter acuity, but sVEP grating acuity does not. SVEP Vernier acuity thus provides a better characterization of the magnitude of the amblyopic acuity loss than does sVEP grating acuity. Nonetheless, each of the sVEP measurements can be used to predict letter acuity and because they can be made without a behavioral response, they may be useful measures of visual function in pre- and nonverbal patients.
Rapid Response of Hydrological Loss of DOC to Water Table Drawdown and Warming in Zoige Peatland: Results from a Mesocosm Experiment

A large portion of the global carbon pool is stored in peatlands, which are sensitive to a changing environment conditions. The hydrological loss of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is believed to play a key role in determining the carbon balance in peatlands. Zoige peatland, the largest peat store in China, is experiencing climatic warming and drying as well as experiencing severe artificial drainage. Using a fully crossed factorial design, we experimentally manipulated temperature and controlled the water tables in large mesocosms containing intact peat monoliths. Specifically, we determined the impact of warming and water table position on the hydrological loss of DOC, the exported amounts, concentrations and qualities of DOC, and the discharge volume in Zoige peatland. Our results revealed that of the water table position had a greater impact on DOC export than the warming treatment, which showed no interactive effects with the water table treatment. Both DOC concentration and discharge volume were significantly increased when water table drawdown, while only the DOC concentration was significantly promoted by warming treatment. Annual DOC export was increased by 69% and 102% when the water table, controlled at 0 cm, was experimentally lowered by −10 cm and −20 cm. Increases in colored and aromatic constituents of DOC (measured by Abs254 nm, SUVA254 nm, Abs400 nm, and SUVA400 nm) were observed under the lower water tables and at the higher peat temperature. Our results provide an indication of the potential impacts of climatic change and anthropogenic drainage on the carbon cycle and/or water storage in a peatland and simultaneously imply the likelihood of potential damage to downstream ecosystems. Furthermore, our results highlight the need for local protection and sustainable development, as well as suggest that more research is required to better understand the impacts of climatic change and artificial disturbances on peatland degradation.
Fracture of Ceramics

The paper reviews the current state of art of the fracture of brittle ceramic materials. Typical loading situations (thermal shock, contact damage) are analysed and the resulting fracture modes are discussed. In focus of the paper are the brittle fracture and the resulting probabilistic aspects. The delayed failure of brittle materials (sub critical crack growth and cyclic fatigue) is also discussed.
Abnormal foveal morphology in ocular albinism imaged with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the spectrum of foveal architecture in pediatric albinism and to assess the utility of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) in ocular imaging of children with nystagmus. METHODS Spectral-domain OCT imaging was performed on study subjects in 3 groups: subjects with ocular albinism (OA) or suspected OA with foveal hypoplasia, with nystagmus, and with or without iris transillumination; a subject with oculocutaneous albinism and Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome; and control subjects. Dense volumetric scans of each fovea were captured using standard and handheld spectral-domain OCT devices. Images were postprocessed and scored for the presence and configuration of each retinal layer across the fovea. RESULTS High-quality spectral-domain OCT images obtained from each subject revealed a range of abnormalities in subjects with OA or suspected OA and the subject with oculocutaneous albinism and Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome: persistence of an abnormal, highly reflective band across the fovea, multiple inner retinal layers normally absent at the center of the fovea, and loss of the normally thickened photoreceptor nuclear layer at the fovea when compared with that in control subjects. The optic nerve was elevated in multiple eyes of subjects with OA or suspected OA and the subject with oculocutaneous albinism and Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome. CONCLUSIONS A spectrum of foveal morphological abnormalities is seen in subjects with OA or suspected OA, which in some cases contrasted with previous studies using time-domain OCT. These OCT findings clarify the morphology of foveal hypoplasia seen clinically. This imaging modality may be useful in evaluating children.
Severity of Bovine Tuberculosis Is Associated with Co-Infection with Common Pathogens in Wild Boar

Co-infections with parasites or viruses drive tuberculosis dynamics in humans, but little is known about their effects in other non-human hosts. This work aims to investigate the relationship between Mycobacterium bovis infection and other pathogens in wild boar (Sus scrofa), a recognized reservoir of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in Mediterranean ecosystems. For this purpose, it has been assessed whether contacts with common concomitant pathogens are associated with the development of severe bTB lesions in 165 wild boar from mid-western Spain. The presence of bTB lesions affecting only one anatomic location (cervical lymph nodes), or more severe patterns affecting more than one location (mainly cervical lymph nodes and lungs), was assessed in infected animals. In addition, the existence of contacts with other pathogens such as porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV), swine influenza virus, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Haemophilus parasuis and Metastrongylus spp, was evaluated by means of serological, microbiological and parasitological techniques. The existence of contacts with a structured community of pathogens in wild boar infected by M. bovis was statistically investigated by null models. Association between this community of pathogens and bTB severity was examined using a Partial Least Squares regression approach. Results showed that adult wild boar infected by M. bovis had contacted with some specific, non-random pathogen combinations. Contact with PCV2, ADV and infection by Metastrongylus spp, was positively correlated to tuberculosis severity. Therefore, measures against these concomitant pathogens such as vaccination or deworming, might be useful in tuberculosis control programmes in the wild boar. However, given the unexpected consequences of altering any community of organisms, further research should evaluate the impact of such measures under controlled conditions. Furthermore, more research including other important pathogens, such as gastro-intestinal nematodes, will be necessary to complete this picture.
Delineation of PCB uptake pathways in a benthic sea star using a radiolabelled congener

Asterias rubens (Linnaeus, 1758), a common sea star in North Sea waters, was selected to study the bioaccumulation of an important polychlorinated biphenyl congener, 14 C-labelled PCB#153, from 2 contrasting sources: seawater and sediments. After 4 wk acclimation to laboratory conditions, sea stars were exposed for 34 d to realistic concentrations (30 ng l -1 in seawater and 9.5 ng g -1 dry wt in sediments) of the contaminant during which time bioaccumulation of PCB#153 was fol- lowed in 6 body compartments. The results showed that (1) for each body compartment, PCB uptake kinetics were generally asymptotic and bioaccumulation was far greater when A. rubens was exposed via seawater than via sediments; (2) body wall and podia were the body compartments showing the greatest affinity for the PCB congener, making them ideal tissues for biomonitoring pur- poses; (3) the concentrations reached in body compartments were within the range of values reported in several field studies. Because radioisotopic techniques are extremely sensitive, they allow key organs that are sometimes too small for standard analysis of PCBs to be taken into account.