Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mechanical Performance of Natural Fibers Reinforced Geopolymer Composites

The use of geopolymers as matrix in composites with syntactical fibers have been studied and proposed in the literature. Nonetheless, for the best know of the authors, there are no researches about the use of geopolymers as matrix in composites with natural fibers. The use of natural fibers is increasing in the automotive industries. One of the problems to expand the use of natural fibers in composite materials is the low fire resistance of the classical type of polymers. In this sense, geopolymeric matrices open up horizons for this type of application. This paper studies composites with geopolymeric matrices reinforced with two types of natural fibers: sisal (Agave Sisalana) and pineapple leaf fiber (PALF-Ananas Comosus). The mechanical properties of these new composites are investigated by mechanical tests. The results confirm the increasing in the mechanical performance whenever the fibers are under traction stress.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation for Patients With Severe Bicuspid Aortic Valve Stenosis

Background—Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is regarded as a relative contraindication to transcatheter aortic valve implantation attributable to the risk of uneven expansion of the bioprosthesis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients with BAV. Methods and Results—Of 470 patients included in our prospective transcatheter aortic valve implantation database (October 2006–January 2012), 229 consecutive patients undergoing both echocardiography and multidetector computed tomography were analyzed. We compared clinical outcomes in patients with vs patients without BAV. In this series of 229 patients, BAV was detected by multidetector computed tomography in 21 patients (9.2%). BAV was identified by transthoracic and transoesophagal echocardiography in only 9 of these 21 patients. Patients were 83.1±6.6 years old, and European system for cardiac operative risk evaluation score was 20.0%±11.4%. The BAV group was similar to the non-BAV group except for diabetes mellitus (4.8% vs 24.0%; P=0.05). The aortic annulus diameter in BAV patients was not significantly larger by multidetector computed tomography (24.7±3.0 vs 23.7±1.9 mm; P=0.07). The CoreValve was used more frequently in the BAV group (47.6% vs 16.3%; P=0.002). There was no significant difference in device success (100% vs 92.8%; P=0.37), risk of annulus rupture (0% vs 1.4%; P=1.00), or valve migration (0% vs 1.4%; P=1.00) in BAV patients compared with non-BAV patients. Postprocedural mean gradient (10.0±3.4 vs 9.7±4.1 mm Hg; P=0.58), aortic regurgitation ≥2 of 4 (19.0% vs 14.9%; P=0.54), 30-day mortality (4.8% vs 8.2%; P=1.00), and 30-day combined safety end point (14.3% vs 13.5%; P=1.00) were also similar in both groups. Conclusions—In selected BAV patients, transcatheter aortic valve implantation may be associated with low complication rate, efficacy, and acceptable outcomes similar to those in non-BAV patients.
Molecular Serological Detection of DNA Alterations in Transitional Cell Carcinoma Is Highly Sensitive and Stage Independent

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of fluorescent microsatellite analysis (MSA) for the serological diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary tract analyzing free tumor DNA in the serum of cancer patients. Experimental Design: We applied fluorescent MSA to detect serum–DNA alterations in patients suffering from bladder and upper urinary tract TCC and prospectively collected fresh tumor, peripheral blood, and serum specimens from 61 consecutive patients to obtain the corresponding DNA. Fluorescent MSA was performed with a total of 17 polymorphic markers from the chromosomal regions 5q, 8p, 9p, 9q, 13q, 14q, 17p, 17q, and 20q in the 61 cancer patients, as well as in 20 healthy controls. Results: Molecular serological analysis led to tumor-specific diagnosis of TCC in 80.3% (49 of 61) of cases. Four healthy controls displayed serum–DNA artifacts rendering a specificity of 80%. The highest frequency of serum–DNA alterations was detected for chromosomal region 8p with 36%. Chromosomes 5q, 9p, and 20q showed serum–DNA alterations in 18 to 21%. The identification of serum–DNA alterations was not statistically associated with underlying local tumor stage (P = 0.29) but was more frequent in high-grade tumors (P = 0.08). Conclusions: MSA offers a highly sensitive method for serological diagnosis of TCC. To optimize specificity, simultaneous analysis of tumor DNA is advised to rule out artifacts resembling allelic imbalance in MSA of serum DNA.
Minimum MSE Relaying for Arbitrary Signal Constellations in Coded Relay Networks

In this paper a soft relaying scheme for coded relay networks combining the benefits of classical Decode-Forward (DF) and Amplify-Forward (AF) is extended to higher order modulation schemes. In order to minimize the mean-squared- error at the destination, the conditional expectation value of the symbol after soft-output channel decoding at the relay is transmitted. The main idea of this scheme called Decode- Estimate-Forward (DEF) is to exploit coding gain like DF while still preserving reliability information as AF. This approach was presented by the authors for BPSK in coded systems, but the extension to arbitrary modulation alphabets presented here allows for more flexible system designs. The performance of the proposed relay function is compared to classical AF and DF in a wide variety of scenarios like AWGN and Rayleigh fading channels as well as different numbers and constellations of relays.
Correlation between Nuclear Plastid DNA Abundance and Plastid Number Supports the Limited Transfer Window Hypothesis

The abundance of nuclear plastid DNA-like sequences (NUPTs) in nuclear genomes can vary immensely; however, the forces responsible for this variation are poorly understood. “The limited transfer window hypothesis” predicts that species with only one plastid per cell will have fewer NUPTs than those with many plastids per cell, but a lack of genome sequence data from monoplastidic species has made this hypothesis difficult to test. Here, by analyzing newly available genome sequences from diverse mono- and polyplastidic taxa, we show that the hypothesis holds. On average, the polyplastidic species we studied had 80 times more NUPTs than those that were monoplastidic. Moreover, NUPT content was positively related to nuclear genome size, indicating that in addition to plastid number, NUPTs are influenced by the forces controlling the expansion and contraction of noncoding nuclear DNA. These findings are consistent with data on nuclear DNAs of mitochondrial origin (NUMTs), suggesting that similar processes govern the abundance of both NUPTs and NUMTs.
Selected Topics in Chance-Constrained Programming

We consider chance-constrained programs in which the probability distribution of the random parameters is deterministic and known. Two prominent approaches to deal with these programs are sampling approximations and robust approximations. In the last decade, there has been enormous interest in both these areas of research. This article aims to provide a brief summary of a select number of publications pertaining to these approaches that have gained significant attention. We focus mainly on theoretical performance of proposed approximation schemes. ∗This report was submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for a graduate course in Stochastic Combinatorial Optimization.
Developmental regulation of thymocyte susceptibility to deletion by "self"-peptide

The specificity of the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire for foreign peptide bound to self-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules is determined in large part by positive and negative selection processes in the thymus, yet the mechanisms of these selection events remain unknown. Using in vitro organ culture of thymi isolated from mice transgenic for a TCR-alpha/beta specific for cytochrome c peptide bound to I-Ek, we analyzed the developmental timing of negative selection (deletion). On the basis of the experiments described below, we conclude that all CD4+8+ thymocytes, and only CD4+8+ thymocytes, are susceptible to negative selection mediated by the cytochrome c peptide antigen. First, we found that deletion of thymocytes resulting from addition of the cytochrome c peptide to the thymic organ cultures can occur at the earliest stage of TCR, CD4, and CD8 coexpression. Second, we found that CD4+8+ thymocytes isolated from positively selecting or nonselecting MHC haplotypes were equally efficiently deleted in vitro, suggesting that positive selection is not a prerequisite for deletion. Third, we examined the effects of TCR/ligand avidity on the developmental timing of deletion by varying the concentration of cytochrome c peptide added to the organ cultures. We detected deletion only at the CD4+8+ stage: intermediate concentrations of peptide that resulted in partial deletion of CD4+8+ cells did not eliminate the appearance of mature CD4+8- cells. Finally, we found that CD4+8- thymocytes were resistant to deletion as well as activation by peptide antigen added to the intact organ cultures. Nevertheless, the CD4+8- thymocytes isolated from the peptide-treated organ cultures responded vigorously to peptide presented by spleen cells in vitro. Thus, the T cells were tolerant of (but not anergized by) self-antigen encountered in thymic organ culture. Together, these results indicate that thymocytes susceptible to negative selection are not developmentally distinct from those susceptible to positive selection, and further, that the thymic microenvironment plays a role in regulating the outcome of TCR/ligand interactions.
LONG‐TERM LABORATORY EVOLUTION OF A GENETIC LIFE‐HISTORY TRADE‐OFF IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER. 2. STABILITY OF GENETIC CORRELATIONS

Experiments in laboratory populations of Drosophila melanogaster have shown a negative genetic correlation between early‐life fecundity on the one hand and starvation resistance and longevity on the other. Selection for late‐life reproductive success resulted in long‐lived populations that had increased starvation resistance but diminished early‐life fecundity relative to short‐lived controls. This pattern of differentiation proved, however, to be unstable. When assayed in a standard high‐fecundity environment, the relative early fecundity of the long‐ and short‐lived stocks reversed over a decade. That is, the long‐lived populations came to have greater relative early‐life fecundity, late‐life fecundity, longevity and starvation resistance. Nevertheless, when these populations were assayed in other assay environments, the original trade‐off was still present. We investigated the genetic structure of the short‐ and long‐lived populations, to ask whether the inconstancy of the trade‐off, as inferred from among population comparisons, is reflected in the pattern of genetic correlations within populations. For this purpose, lines from each of the short‐ and long‐lived populations that had been selected for starvation resistance were compared with unselected controls. The direct and correlated responses of these starvation selected populations suggest that (1) the original genetic trade‐off was still present in the ancestral short‐ and long‐lived populations, even when it was no longer apparent from their comparison; (2) the trade‐off was present in both assay environments; and (3) selectable genotype × environment variation exists for early fecundity. We suggest that a failure of the pattern of differentiation among populations to reflect the pattern of genetic correlations, if common in natural populations, will prevent the reliable inference of genetic trade‐offs from comparisons of most natural populations.
A novel set‐up for the ex vivo analysis of mechanical properties of mouse aortic segments stretched at physiological pressure and frequency

Cyclic stretch is known to alter intracellular pathways involved in vessel tone regulation. We developed a novel set‐up that allows straightforward characterization of the biomechanical properties of the mouse aorta while stretched at a physiological heart rate (600 beats min–1). Active vessel tone was shown to have surprisingly large effects on isobaric stiffness. The effect of structural vessel wall alterations was confirmed using a genetic mouse model. This set‐up will contribute to a better understanding of how active vessel wall components and mechanical stimuli such as stretch frequency and amplitude regulate aortic mechanics.
Dynamic Contractility and Efficiency Impairments in Stretch-Shortening Cycle Are Stretch-Load-Dependent After Training-Induced Muscle Damage

Abstract Váczi, M, Rácz, L, Hortobágyi, T, and Tihanyi, J. Dynamic contractility and efficiency impairments in stretch-shortening cycle are stretch-load-dependent after training-induced muscle damage. J Strength Cond Res 27(8): 2171–2179, 2013—To determine the acute task and stretch-load dependency of neuromuscular impairments after muscle-damaging exercises, we examined the magnitude of strength deficits in isometric and stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) contractions after a single bout of exercise. Ten trained men performed 90 unilateral isokinetic eccentric-concentric knee extensions on a dynamometer. Plasma creatine kinase activity, muscle soreness, maximal isometric torque, short-range stiffness, and peak torque in the eccentric phase of the SSC contraction at 3 stretch-loads (120, 150, and 180 J) were determined in the quadriceps before and 24 hours after exercise. During SSC, positive mechanical work and efficiency were also calculated. Creatine kinase and soreness increased at 24 hours (p < 0.05). In each of the 3 stretch-load conditions, muscle damage affected short-range stiffness less than isometric and peak SSC torque (p < 0.05), providing evidence for a selective impairment in contractile function after muscle damage. With greater SSC stretch-load peak, SSC torque deficit increased linearly, whereas short-range stiffness deficit was unaffected. Efficiency declined only at the 180-J condition (p < 0.05) as a result of decreased positive work (p < 0.05). It was concluded that intense exercise produced microtrauma in the muscle, and a selective loss of force generating capacity, which suggests greater damage to the contractile machinery. Practitioners may expect greater acute impairment of force generation in movements that use large loads in their daily training drills. However, altered knee flexion strategy during SSC may compensate for the force deficit, preserving mechanical efficiency at smaller stretch-loads.
CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Protein β Is Dispensable for Development of Lung Adenocarcinoma

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Although disruption of normal proliferation and differentiation is a vital component of tumorigenesis, the mechanisms of this process in lung cancer are still unclear. A transcription factor, C/EBPβ is a critical regulator of proliferation and/or differentiation in multiple tissues. In lung, C/EBPβ is expressed in alveolar pneumocytes and bronchial epithelial cells; however, its roles on normal lung homeostasis and lung cancer development have not been well described. Here we investigated whether C/EBPβ is required for normal lung development and whether its aberrant expression and/or activity contribute to lung tumorigenesis. We showed that C/EBPβ was expressed in both human normal pneumocytes and lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. We found that overall lung architecture was maintained in Cebpb knockout mice. Neither overexpression of nuclear C/EBPβ nor suppression of CEBPB expression had significant effects on cell proliferation. C/EBPβ expression and activity remained unchanged upon EGF stimulation. Furthermore, deletion of Cebpb had no impact on lung tumor burden in a lung specific, conditional mutant EGFR lung cancer mouse model. Analyses of data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) revealed that expression, promoter methylation, or copy number of CEBPB was not significantly altered in human lung adenocarcinoma. Taken together, our data suggest that C/EBPβ is dispensable for development of lung adenocarcinoma.
System-level mapping of Escherichia coli response regulator dimerization with FRET hybrids

Two‐component signal transduction, featuring highly conserved histidine kinases (HKs) and response regulators (RRs), is one of the most prevalent signalling schemes in prokaryotes. RRs function as phosphorylation‐activated switches to mediate diverse output responses, mostly via transcription regulation. As bacterial genomes typically encode multiple two‐component proteins for distinct signalling pathways, the sequence and structural similarities of RR receiver domains create significant challenges to maintain interaction specificity. It is especially demanding for members of the OmpR/PhoB subfamily, the largest RR subfamily, which share a conserved dimerization interface for phosphorylation‐mediated transcription regulation. We developed a strategy to investigate RR interaction by analysing Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) between cyan fluorescent protein (CFP)‐ and yellow fluorescent protein (YFP)‐fused RRs in vitro. Using the Escherichia coli RR PhoB as a model system, we were able to observe phosphorylation‐dependent FRET between fluorescent protein (FP)–PhoB proteins and validated the FRET method by determining dimerization affinity and dimerization‐coupled phosphorylation kinetics that recapitulated values determined by alternative methods. Further application of the FRET method to all E. coli OmpR/PhoB subfamily RRs revealed that phosphorylation–activated RR interaction is indeed a common theme for OmpR/PhoB subfamily RRs and these RRs display significant interaction specificity. Weak hetero‐pair interactions were also identified between several different RRs, suggesting potential cross‐regulation between distinct pathways.
Enhancing metabolic monitoring for children and adolescents using second‐generation antipsychotics

The prevalence of children and adolescents using second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) has increased significantly in recent years. In this population, SGAs are used to treat mood and behavioural disorders although considered 'off-label' or not approved for these indications. Metabolic monitoring is the systematic physical health assessment of antipsychotic users utilized to detect cardiovascular and endocrine side effects and prevent adverse events such as weight gain, hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidemia, and arrhythmias. This practice ensures safe and efficacious SGA use among children and adolescents. Despite widely available, evidence-based metabolic monitoring guidelines, rates of monitoring continue to be suboptimal; this exposes children to the unnecessary risk of developing poor cardiovascular health and long-term disease. In this discursive paper, existing approaches to metabolic monitoring as well as challenges to implementing monitoring guidelines in practice are explored. The strengths and weaknesses of providing metabolic monitoring across outpatient psychiatry, primary care, and collaborative community settings are discussed. We suggest that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to improving metabolic monitoring care for children and adolescents using SGA in all settings. However, we advocate for a pragmatic global approach to enhance safety of children and adolescents taking SGAs through collaboration among healthcare disciplines with a focus on integrating nurses as champions of metabolic monitoring.
Electromagnetic Surface Waves: A Modern Perspective

For decades, the surface-plasmon-polariton wave guided by the interface of simple isotropic materials dominated the scene. However, in recent times research on electromagnetic surface waves guided by planar interfaces has expanded into new and exciting areas. In the 1990's research focused on advancing knowledge of the newly discovered Dyakonov wave. More recently, much of the surface wave research is motivated by the proliferation of nanotechnology and the growing number of materials available with novel properties. This book leads the reader from the relatively simple surface-plasmon-polariton wave with isotropic materials to the latest research on various types of electromagnetic surface waves guided by the interfaces of complex materials enabled by recent developments in nanotechnology. This includes: Dyakonov waves guided by interfaces formed with columnar thin films, Dyakonov-Tamm waves guided by interfaces formed with sculptured thin films, and multiple modes of surface-plasmon-polariton waves guided by the interface of a metal and a periodically varying dielectric material. Gathers research from the past 5 years in a single comprehensive view of electromagnetic surface waves. Written by the foremost experts and researchers in the field.Layered presentation explains topics with an introductory overview level up to a highly technical level.
Effect of high-intensity interval exercise on lipid oxidation during postexercise recovery.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to examine whether lipid oxidation predominates during 3 h of postexercise recovery in high-intensity interval exercise as compared with moderate-intensity continuous exercise on a cycle ergometer in fit young men (n = 12; 24.6 +/- 0.6 yr). METHODS The energy substrate partitioning was evaluated during and after high-intensity submaximal interval exercise (INT, 1-min intervals at 80% of maximal aerobic power output [Wmax] with an intervening 1 min of active recovery at 40% Wmax) and 60-min moderate-intensity continuous exercise at 45% of maximal oxygen uptake (C45%) as well as a time-matched resting control trial (CON). Exercise bouts were matched for mechanical work output. RESULTS During exercise, a significantly greater contribution of CHO and a lower contribution of lipid to energy expenditure were found in INT (512.7 +/- 26.6 and 41.0 +/- 14.0 kcal, respectively) than in C45% (406.3 +/- 21.2 and 170.3 +/- 24.0 kcal, respectively; P < 0.001) despite similar overall energy expenditure in both exercise trials (P = 0.13). During recovery, there were no significant differences between INT and C45% in substrate turnover and oxidation (P > 0.05). On the other hand, the mean contribution of lipids to energy yield was significantly higher after exercise trials (C45% = 61.3 +/- 4.2 kcal; INT = 66.7 +/- 4.7 kcal) than after CON (51.5 +/- 3.4 kcal; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS These findings show that lipid oxidation during postexercise recovery was increased by a similar amount on two isoenergetic exercise bouts of different forms and intensities compared with the time-matched no-exercise control trial.