Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electrochemical Behaviors of Biomedical Nanograined β-Type Titanium Alloys

The microstructural evolution and its effect on biocompatibility of TNTZ through HPT processing were investigated systematically in this study. TNTZAHPT shows an enhanced mechanical biocompatibility, which is characterized by a higher tensile strength (1375 MPa) and hardness (450 HV) than those of TNTZST, TNTZAT, and Ti64 ELI while maintaining a relatively low Young’s modulus. In this study, such microstructural refinement of TNTZ and its effect on electrochemical biocompatibility through HPT processing are investigated systematically in this study. The microstructure of TNTZAT consists of randomly distributed needle-like α precipitates in the equiaxed β grains with a diameter of approximately 40 m. The microstructure of TNTZAHPT consists of nanograined (NG) elongated β grains that have subgrains of non-uniform morphologies resulting from distortion by severe torsional deformation. Furthermore, the β grains and subgrains are surrounded by non-equilibrium grain boundaries. The needle-like α precipitates are completely refined to a nanograined. TNTZAHPT exhibits an enhanced combination of excellent corrosion performance and improved cellular response compared to TNTZST, TNTZAT, and Ti64 ELI.
Gaining Agility through IT Personnel Capabilities: The Mediating Role of IT Infrastructure Capabilities

This study develops a research model of how the technical, behavioral, and business capabilities of IT personnel are associated with IT infrastructure capabilities, and how the latter are associated with IT-dependent organizational agility, which is conceptualized as comprising IT-dependent system, information, and strategic agility. Analysis of crosssectional data collected from 293 IT managers generally corroborates the hypothesized relationships, showing that the technical and behavioral capabilities of IT personnel have a positive effect on infrastructure capabilities. The analysis also provides evidence that the effect of infrastructure capabilities on IT-dependent strategic agility is direct, as well as mediated by IT-dependent system and information agility. The validity of the findings is strengthened by demonstrating that the hypothesized research model fits the data better than two alternative theoretically-anchored models describing different relationships between the same constructs. This study advances understanding of the interrelationships between two major subsets of IT capabilities, and their relationships with the agility afforded by IT.
A Model-Based Hierarchical Controller for Legged Systems Subject to External Disturbances

Legged robots have many potential applications in real-world scenarios where the tasks are too dangerous for humans, and compliance is needed to protect the system against external disturbances and impacts. In this paper, we propose a model-based controller for hierarchical tasks of legged systems subject to external disturbance. The control framework is based on projected inverse dynamics controller, such that the control law is decomposed into two orthogonal subspaces, i.e., the constrained and the unconstrained subspaces. The unconstrained component controls multiple desired tasks with impedance responses. The constrained space controller maintains the contact subject to unknown external disturbances, without the use of any force/torque sensing at the contact points. By explicitly modelling the external force, our controller is robust to external disturbances and errors arising from incorrect dynamic model information. The main contributions of this paper include (1) incorporating an impedance controller to control external disturbances and allow impedance shaping to adjust the behaviour of the motion under external disturbances, (2) optimising contact forces within the constrained subspace that also takes into account the external disturbances without using force/torque sensors at the contact locations. The techniques are evaluated on the ANYmal quadruped platform under a variety of scenarios.
Na+/K+ ATPase activity promotes invasion of endocrine resistant breast cancer cells

Background The Na+/K+-ATPase (NKP) is an important ion transporter also involved in signal transduction. Its expression profile is altered in various tumours including that of the breast. We studied the effect of inhibiting NKP activity in non-tumorigenic breast cell line and in estrogen receptor positive and negative breast cancer cells. Methods Expression and localization of NKP and downstream signaling molecules were determined by RT-PCR, western blotting and immunofluorescence. Cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle stage were determined using MTT, annexin V and flow cytometry. Cell motility and invasion were determined using wound healing and matrigel assays. Total matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) was determined by a fluorescence-based assay. Results NKP was mainly localized on the cell membrane. Its baseline expression and activity were enhanced in breast cancer compared to the non-tumorigenic breast cell line. Ouabain and 3,4,5,6-tetrahydroxyxanthone (TTX) treatment significantly inhibited NKP activity, which significantly reduced cell proliferation, motility, invasion and pH-induced membrane blebbing. EGF stimulation induced internalization of NKP from the cell membrane to the cytoplasm. Ouabain inhibited EGF-induced phosphorylation of Rac/cdc42, profillin, ERK1/2 and P70S6K. Conclusions The NKP may offer a novel therapeutic target in breast cancer patients who have developed metastasis, aiming to improve therapeutic outcomes and enhance survival rate.
Effect of Dietary Non‐phytate Phosphorus Levels on the Diversity and Structure of Cecal Microbiota in Meat Duck from 1 to 21 d of age

ABSTRACT The study was conducted to distinguish the effect of dietary non‐phytate phosphorus (NPP) levels on the community diversity and structure of the cecal microbiota in meat duck based on 16S rDNA high‐throughput sequencing. In total, 525 1‐d‐old ducklings were fed diets (105 ducklings, 7 pens of 15 ducklings, on each diet) containing five levels of NPP (0.22, 0.34, 0.40, 0.46, and 0.58%) for 21 days. The results showed that dietary NPP levels linearly and quadratically increased (P < 0.05) 21 d body weight, 1 to 21 d feed intake and NPP intake, and contrarily, linearly decreased (P < 0.05) &bgr;‐diversity of cecal microbial population in ducks. &bgr;‐diversity analyses showed that microbiota clustering based on dietary NPP levels occured, with 0.22% NPP groups distinctly different from the 0.46% and 0.58% NPP group samples. Moreover, dietary NPP levels could change the relative abundance of the phylum Proteobacteria (linear, P < 0.05), genera Eubacterium coprostanoligenes (quadratic, P < 0.05), Ruminococcaceae UCG‐014 (quadratic, P < 0.05) and Subdoligrannulum (linear, P < 0.05), and Lachnospiraceae family (quadratic, P < 0.05) in cecal microbiota of ducks. Increasing the dietary NPP level influenced the cecal microbiota and positively affected the growth of meat ducks.
Job Stressors, Emotional Exhaustion and Service Recovery in Independent Quick Service Restaurants in Egypt: An Empirical Investigation

In this study, antecedents and outcomes of the frontline employees' emotional exhaustion were examined in the context of independent Egyptian Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs). Frontline employees participated in a survey which investigates the relationships amongst job stressors (role ambiguity, role conflict, role overload and interpersonal conflict) and emotional exhaustion; as well as emotional exhaustion and service recovery performance. The results from multiple regression analyses identified role ambiguity and role overload as the antecedents of emotional exhaustion. A critical negative relationship was also identified between emotional exhaustion and the service recovery performance of frontline employees
Non-dieting group interventions for overweight and obese women: what predicts non-completion and does completion improve outcomes?

Abstract Objective To determine factors which predict non-completion of group non-dieting interventions for overweight women, and to investigate whether completion improves outcomes. Design First, baseline predictors of non-completion were identified; then changes at 10 weeks and 12 months were compared between completers and non-completers of 10-week non-dieting interventions. Setting General community. Subjects Participants were 119 women (aged 25–65 years, BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2) with at least one cardiovascular risk factor. Participants who attended at least eight of the ten sessions were classified as completers, and non-completers were those who attended fewer than eight sessions. Measures included BMI, blood pressure, psychological distress, lifestyle behaviours and eating self-efficacy. Results Logistic regression analyses indicated that women were less likely to be non-completers at non-dieting group programmes if, at baseline, they were more highly educated or had healthier nutrition behaviours (controlling for education). Only healthier nutrition behaviour was negatively associated with non-completion in the final model. Twelve months after the intervention, completers showed significantly greater improvements in body weight (mean change −0·53 kg), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (−6·3 and −4·1 mmHg, respectively), stress management behaviour score (+0·5) and psychotic symptoms score (−0·1) than non-completers (all P < 0·05). Conclusions Highly educated women already engaging in some healthier lifestyle choices were less likely to be non-completers in non-dieting group programmes. Since important treatment outcomes vary according to attendance, future trials of non-dieting interventions should report the effects of completion on outcomes.
Molecular and Macromolecular Changes in Bottle-Aged White Wines Reflect Oxidative Evolution–Impact of Must Clarification and Bottle Closure

Chardonnay wines from Burgundy, obtained from musts with three levels of clarification (Low, Medium and High) during two consecutive vintages (2009 and 2010) and for two kinds of closures (screw caps and synthetic coextruded closures) were analyzed chemically and sensorially. Three bottles per turbidity level were opened in 2015 in order to assess the intensity of the reductive and/or oxidative aromas (REDOX sensory scores) by a trained sensory panel. The chemical analyses consisted in polyphenols and colloids quantification, followed by a proteomic characterization. For the two vintages, the REDOX sensory scores appeared to be driven both by the type of closure and to a lesser extent by the level of must clarification. Vintages and must racking prefermentative operations were also distinguished by chemical analyses. All white wines from the lowest must turbidity had the lowest REDOX sensory scores. Such wines exhibited lower concentrations in tyrosol and grape reaction product and higher concentrations in colloids with relatively low molecular weights. Among these macromolecules, grape proteins were also quantified, two of them exhibiting concentrations in bottled wines, which were statistically correlated to oxidative evolution in white wines.
A Review of the Fossil Record of Turtles of the Clade Baenidae

Abstract The fossil record of the turtle clade Baenidae ranges from the Early Cretaceous (Aptian—Albian) to the Eocene. The group is present throughout North America during the Early Cretaceous, but is restricted to the western portions of the continents in the Late Cretaceous and Paleogene. No credible remains of the clade have been reported outside of North America to date. Baenids were warmadapted freshwater aquatic turtles that supported high levels of diversity at times through niche partitioning, particularly by adapting to a broad range of dietary preferences ranging from omnivorous to molluscivorous. Current phylogenies place Baenidae near the split of crown-group Testudines. Within Baenidae three more inclusive, named clades are recognized: Baenodda, Palatobaeninae and Eubaeninae. A taxonomic review of the group concludes that of 49 named taxa, 30 are nomina valida, 12 are nomina invalida and 7 are nomina dubia.
"Maternal Thyroid Deficiency During Pregnancy and Subsequent Neuropsychological Development of the Child" (1999), by James E. Haddow et al.

From 1987 to the late 1990s, James Haddow and his team researchers studied children born to women who had thyroid deficiencies while pregnant with those children. Haddow´s team focused on newborns who had normal thyroid function at the time of neonatal screening. They tested the intelligence quotient, or IQ, of the children, ages eight to eleven years, and found that all of the children born to thyroid-hormone [5] deficient mothers performed less well than the control group. Haddow and his colleagues published the experiment and results, "Maternal Thyroid Deficiency during Pregnancy and Subsequent Neuropsychological Development of the Child," in 1999. Haddow and his team proposed that undetected low thyroid hormone [5] production in mothers, or maternal hypothyroidism, could adversely affect the neuropsychological development of children. Prior studies had supported the claim that before the twelfth week of human pregnancy [6] , when the fetal thyroid gland becomes active, the pregnant mother is the sole source of thyroid hormones [7] for the developing fetus [8] . Therefore, if doctors were to prevent fetuses from developing defects by treating pregnant women whose thyroids produced lower than normal amounts of hormones [7] , then those doctors had to intervene at specific times during normal development. This theory that the treatment of thyroid function is time sensitive convinced some to argue for screening programs for thyroid deficiency in pregnant women as early as their first doctor´s visit after becoming pregnant. For nearly a century, researchers had associated hypothyroidism in women caused by iodine deficiencies during pregnancy [6] with impaired mental development of those women's offspring. Researchers had identified iodine deficiency as a cause for thyroid deficiency in pregnant women and in fetuses, but they couldn't tell if the impaired mental development of the children resulted from maternal and fetal hypothyroidism, or maternal hypothyroidism From 1987 to the late 1990s, James Haddow and his team of researchers at the Foundation for Blood Research in Scarborough, Maine, studied children born to women who had thyroid deficiencies while pregnant with those children. Haddow's team focused the study on newborns who had normal thyroid function at the time of neonatal screening. They tested the intelligence quotient, or IQ, of the children, ages eight to eleven years, and found that all of the children born to thyroid-hormone deficient mothers performed less well than the control group. Haddow and his colleagues published the experiment and results, Maternal Thyroid Deficiency during Pregnancy and Subsequent Neuropsychological Development of the Childin 1999. Haddow and his team proposed that undetected low thyroid hormone production in mothers, or maternal hypothyroidism, could adversely affect the neuropsychological development of children.
Sexual problems in elderly male and female patients with heart failure

Objectives To investigate perceived sexual problems in a large group of younger and older patients with heart failure (HF), with and without a partner, focusing on a broad range of perceived sexual problems, and compare this with a sample of healthy community-dwelling elderly people. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting 17 HF clinics and general practices in The Netherlands. Participants 438 patients with HF and 459 healthy community-dwelling elderly people. Main Outcome Measures Differences in sexual functioning, related factors and perceived causes of sexual problems between patients with HF and healthy community controls. Results In total, 59% of HF patients reported sexual problems, mostly problems with erectile function. HF patients with a partner (67%) and younger patients (65%) reported significantly more sexual problems than healthy community controls (58%, p=0.011 and 53%, p=0.011, respectively). Multivariate analyses show that sexual problems in HF patients with a partner were more common in men (OR 2.73, 95% CI 1.572 to 4.753) and in those with a prescription of β-blockers (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.10 to 3.586). In younger patients, sexual problems were independently associated with male gender (OR 3.21, 95% CI 2.099 to 4.908) and having a partner (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.283 to 3.110). HF patients mainly attribute their sexual problems to symptoms of HF. Conclusion Sexual problems are common in patients with HF, particularly in younger patients and those with a partner. As patients attribute their sexual problems mostly to HF symptoms, adequate treatment and education of HF patients is needed.
Load Balancing for Mobility-on-Demand Systems

In this paper we develop methods for maximizing the throughput of a mobility-on-demand urban transportation system. We consider a finite group of shared vehicles, located at a set of stations. Users arrive at the stations, pick-up vehicles, and drive (or are driven) to their destination station where they drop-off the vehicle. When some origins and destinations are more popular than others, the system will inevitably become out of balance: Vehicles will build up at some stations, and become depleted at others. We propose a robotic solution to this rebalancing problem that involves empty robotic vehicles autonomously driving between stations. We develop a rebalancing policy that minimizes the number of vehicles performing rebalancing trips. To do this, we utilize a fluid model for the customers and vehicles in the system. The model takes the form of a set of nonlinear time-delay differential equations. We then show that the optimal rebalancing policy can be found as the solution to a linear program. By analyzing the dynamical system model, we show that every station reaches an equilibrium in which there are excess vehicles and no waiting customers. We use this solution to develop a real-time rebalancing policy which can operate in highly variable environments. We verify policy performance in a simulated mobility-on-demand environment with stochastic features found in real-world urban transportation networks.
Multichannel Eigenspace Beamforming in a Reverberant Noisy Environment With Multiple Interfering Speech Signals

In many practical environments we wish to extract several desired speech signals, which are contaminated by nonstationary and stationary interfering signals. The desired signals may also be subject to distortion imposed by the acoustic room impulse responses (RIRs). In this paper, a linearly constrained minimum variance (LCMV) beamformer is designed for extracting the desired signals from multimicrophone measurements. The beamformer satisfies two sets of linear constraints. One set is dedicated to maintaining the desired signals, while the other set is chosen to mitigate both the stationary and nonstationary interferences. Unlike classical beamformers, which approximate the RIRs as delay-only filters, we take into account the entire RIR [or its respective acoustic transfer function (ATF)]. The LCMV beamformer is then reformulated in a generalized sidelobe canceler (GSC) structure, consisting of a fixed beamformer (FBF), blocking matrix (BM), and adaptive noise canceler (ANC). It is shown that for spatially white noise field, the beamformer reduces to a FBF, satisfying the constraint sets, without power minimization. It is shown that the application of the adaptive ANC contributes to interference reduction, but only when the constraint sets are not completely satisfied. We show that relative transfer functions (RTFs), which relate the desired speech sources and the microphones, and a basis for the interference subspace suffice for constructing the beamformer. The RTFs are estimated by applying the generalized eigenvalue decomposition (GEVD) procedure to the power spectral density (PSD) matrices of the received signals and the stationary noise. A basis for the interference subspace is estimated by collecting eigenvectors, calculated in segments where nonstationary interfering sources are active and the desired sources are inactive. The rank of the basis is then reduced by the application of the orthogonal triangular decomposition (QRD). This procedure relaxes the common requirement for nonoverlapping activity periods of the interference sources. A comprehensive experimental study in both simulated and real environments demonstrates the performance of the proposed beamformer.
Study on superabsorbent composites XIX. Synthesis, characterization and performance of chitosan-g-poly (acrylic acid)/vermiculite superabsorbent composites

A novel chitosan-g-poly (acrylic acid)/unexpanded vermiculite (CTS-g-PAA/UVMT) superabsorbent composite was prepared by graft polymerization among chitosan (CTS), acrylic acid (AA) and unexpanded vermiculite (UVMT) in aqueous solution. The effect of polymerization variables, including the content of crosslinker, initiator and UVMT, the weight ratio of AA to CTS, the reaction temperature, time and drying method, on water absorbency were studied. The swelling rate of the superabsorbent composite in distilled water was also investigated. The results from FTIR spectra showed that CTS and UVMT participated in graft polymerization reaction with AA. Introducing UVMT into the CTS-g-PAA polymeric network could form a loose and more porous structure by the SEM analysis, and the polymerization reaction is performed on the surface of UVMT micropowders from the results of XRD. The introduced UVMT enhanced the swelling rate and the water absorbency of CTS-g-PAA/UVMT superabsorbent composite.
Tracing the Origins of IgE, Mast Cells, and Allergies by Studies of Wild Animals

In most industrialized countries, allergies have increased in frequency quite dramatically during the past 50 years. Estimates show that 20–30% of the populations are affected. Allergies have thereby become one of the major medical challenges of the twenty-first century. Despite several theories including the hygiene hypothesis, there are still very few solid clues concerning the causes of this increase. To trace the origins of allergies, we have studied cells and molecules of importance for the development of IgE-mediated allergies, including the repertoire of immunoglobulin genes. These studies have shown that IgE and IgG most likely appeared by a gene duplication of IgY in an early mammal, possibly 220–300 million years ago. Receptors specific for IgE and IgG subsequently appeared in parallel with the increase in Ig isotypes from a subfamily of the recently identified Fc receptor-like molecules. Circulating IgE levels are generally very low in humans and laboratory rodents. However, when dogs and Scandinavian wolfs were analyzed, IgE levels were found to be 100–200 times higher compared to humans, indicating a generally much more active IgE synthesis in free-living animals, most likely connected to intestinal parasite infections. One of the major effector molecules released upon IgE-mediated activation by mast cells are serine proteases. These proteases, which belong to the large family of hematopoietic serine proteases, are extremely abundant and can account for up to 35% of the total cellular protein. Recent studies show that several of these enzymes, including the chymases and tryptases, are old. Ancestors for these enzymes were most likely present in an early mammal more than 200 million years ago before the separation of the three extant mammalian lineages; monotremes, marsupials, and placental mammals. The aim is now to continue these studies of mast cell biology and IgE to obtain additional clues to their evolutionary conserved functions. A focus concerns why the humoral immune response involving IgE and mast cells have become so dysregulated in humans as well as several of our domestic companion animals.