Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thymosin β4 prevents oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion-induced injury in rat cortical neurons

Purpose This study investigated whether thymosin (T) β4 protects against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) injury in rat cortical neurons, as well as the underlying mechanisms. Methods Primary rat cortical neurons were transfected with Tβ4 overexpression plasmid; the transfection efficiency was confirmed by detecting Tβ4 expression by fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blotting. The OGD/R model was established and apoptotic cells were quantified by flow cytometry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling. Structural changes in the endoplasmic reticulum were visualized by transmission electron microscopy. The expression levels of 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP) 78, C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP), B-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2, and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) were determined by Western blotting. The effect of Tβ4 on OGD/R injury was evaluated by adding exogenous Tβ4 to neuronal cultures. Results Cortical neurons were identified by the expression of neuron-specific enolase. In OGD/R cells, the rate of apoptosis was increased and GRP78, CHOP, and Bax were upregulated whereas Bcl-2 was downregulated relative to the control group. These effects were reversed by Tβ4 overexpression. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress was observed in the OGD/R group, but this was abolished in neurons overexpressing Tβ4. The protective effect of Tβ4 against OGD/R injury was also demonstrated in cells treated with exogenous Tβ4 (10 ng/mL), which blocked OGD/R-induced apoptosis by inhibiting ER stress-related and pro-apoptotic protein expression. Conclusion Tβ4 prevents OGD/R-induced ER stress-dependent apoptosis in cortical neurons, and is a potential treatment for cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.
A criterion for new particle formation in the sulfur-rich Atlanta atmosphere

[1] A simple dimensionless parameter, L, is shown to determine whether or not new particle formation can occur in the atmosphere on a given day. The criterion accounts for the probability that clusters, formed by nucleation, will coagulate with preexisting particles before they grow to a detectable size. Data acquired in an intensive atmospheric measurement campaign in Atlanta, Georgia, during August 2002 (ANARChE) were used to test the validity of this criterion. Measurements included aerosol size distributions down to 3 nm, properties and composition of freshly nucleated particles, and concentrations of gases including ammonia and sulfuric acid. Nucleation and subsequent growth of particles at this site were often dominated by sulfuric acid. New particle formation was observed when L was less than ∼1 but not when L was greater than ∼1. Furthermore, new particle formation was only observed when sulfuric acid concentrations exceeded 5 × 106 cm−3. The data suggest that there was a positive association between concentrations of particles produced by nucleation and ammonia, but this was not shown definitively. Ammonia mixing ratios during this study were mostly in the 1 to 10 ppbv range.
Phase Resonance in a Centrifugal Compressor

Phase resonance in a centrifugal compressor was experimentally observed and simulated with a commercial CFD code. It was found that pressure fluctuation at the volute outlet becomes the maximum when the rotational speed of the modes caused by the rotor-stator interaction agrees with the sound velocity. A simple one-dimensional theory is presented to explain the phase resonance in turbomachinery.
Effect of Spiritual Intelligence on Leadership Effectiveness and Food-hygiene Practices

This study suggests an effort through a Holistic View of spiritual intelligence to address low-quality food problem at public institutions in East Malaysia. It explored the causal relationship of this value to Food Performance, Leadership Effectiveness, and Food-Hygiene Practice through 210 food handlers. The Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the relationship. Holistic View was found to have a positively significant relationship with the performance but, not Leadership Effectiveness. Holistic View among food handlers was found unaffected by Food hygiene practices. Keywords: Spiritual intelligence; leadership effectiveness; food-hygiene practices; foodservice performance. eISSN 2514-7528 © 2018. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open-access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/jabs.v3i10. 306
Genetic structure of wildcat (Felis silvestris) populations in Italy

Severe climatic changes during the Pleistocene shaped the distributions of temperate-adapted species. These species survived glaciations in classical southern refuges with more temperate climates, as well as in western and eastern peripheral Alpine temperate areas. We hypothesized that the European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris) populations currently distributed in Italy differentiated in, and expanded from two distinct glacial refuges, located in the southern Apennines and at the periphery of the eastern Alps. This hypothesis was tested by genotyping 235 presumed European wildcats using a panel of 35 domestic cat-derived microsatellites. To provide support and controls for the analyses, 17 know wildcat x domestic cat hybrids and 17 Sardinian wildcats (F. s. libyca) were included. Results of Bayesian clustering and landscape genetic analyses showed that European wildcats in Italy are genetically subdivided into three well-defined clusters corresponding to populations sampled in: (1) the eastern Alps, (2) the peninsular Apennines, and (3) the island of Sicily. Furthermore, the peninsular cluster is split into two subpopulations distributed on the eastern (Apennine mountains and hills) and western (Maremma hills and lowlands) sides of the Apennine ridge. Simulations indicated Alpine, peninsular, and Sicilian wildcats were isolated during the Last Glacial Maximum. Population subdivision in the peninsula cluster of central Italy arose as consequence of a more recent expansions of historically or ecologically distinct European wildcat subpopulations associated with distinct the Continental or Mediterranean habitats. This study identifies previously unknown European wildcat conservation units and supports a deep phylogeographical history for Italian wildcats.
The effect of stress distribution and displacement of open subtalar dislocation in using titanium alloy and stainless steel mitkovic external fixator – a finite element analysis

An external fixator is normally used by medical surgeons in treating subtalar dislocation due to its biomechanical characteristics that can providing an adequate stability, preventing deformity (mal-union and non-union), reduce rate of infections, and promoting fast healing process as compared to coventional internal fixator. Apart from the configurations and fixation techniques, previous studies has mentioned that the stability of external fixator can be altered and manipulated by using different materials, e.g. stainless steel, titanium alloy and polymer. To be noted, the current available research works that have been investigated on different materials of external fixator are still lacking, therefore, the present study is aims to conduct related study. The main objective of the research work is to simulate finite element model of foot and ankle joint associated with open subtalar dislocation in which treated with Mitkovic external fixator by using two different material properties; titanium alloy (Model 1) and stainless steel (Model 2). The three-dimensional model of foot and ankle joint were reconstructed using images of CT dataset. For the soft tissues, cartilages at the ankle joint were developed by offsetting the bone surfaces with 1 mm thickness while ligaments were modelled with linear links. Homogeneous and isotropic properties were assigned to the bone, Mooney-Rivlin model for cartilage and specific stiffness value for ligaments. In order to simulate stance phase during walking condition, an axial load of 350 N was applied to the proximal tibia bone. The results of von Mises stress demonstrated that Model 2 has a low magnitude (127 MPa) at the pin-bone interface of tibia bone, compared with Model 1 (369 MPa). As for the local displacement at the bony segment of fibula, Model 2 (3.3 mm) indicated high stability of the external fixator than Model 1 (7.4 mm). In conclusion, the use of stainless steel material for Mitkovic external fixator can provide adequate stability and optimum stress distribution.
First-Principles Investigation of Surface and Subsurface H Adsorption on Ir(111)

The atomic hydrogen adsorption on ir (111) surface and in its subsurface with coverage front 0.11 monolayer (ml) to 2 ml is investigated by using density functional calculations with the generalized gradient approximation (gga), the diffusion for hydrogen into the subsurface region at 0.25 ml coverage is also calculated. at all sites of our calculations, the most favorable site is hydrogen oil top of ir (111). the corresponding binding energy of a hydrogen atom at this site is 2.71 ev/h atom at the coverage of 0.25 ml, favored by about 0.05 ev over the next most stable site, the fee site. for on-surface adsorption, the binding energy decreases very slowly for all of the sites as the hydrogen covet-age increases from 0.25 to 1.00 ml, it indicates that there is only a weak repulsive interaction between the adsorbates. for the coverage range of 0.11-0.25 ml, the binding energy increases evidently, suggesting an attractive interaction between adsorbates. compared to on-surface hydrogen adsorption, subsurface hydrogen adsorption is energetically unfavorable and takes place when on-surface hydrogen coverage is greater than full monolayer. for mixed structures at full monolayer both of surface and subsurface, it is found that the most favorable site is the hcp/octa site with a binding energy 2.35 ev/h atom. so when full monolayer hydrogen atoms adsorbed in the hcp site on the surface, h begins to adsorb on the subsurface in the octa site. compared to hydrogen adsorption on other transition metals (pt, rh, pd, co, and ni) with localized feature, it is found hydrogen adsorption on ir (111) shows some delocalized nature. meanwhile, at 0.25 ml coverage for h adsorption on ir(111), the desorption energy for hydrogen from the ir surface is found to be 0.96 ev, the calculated barrier for hydrogen from hcp to fee is 0.02 ev, and penetration into the subsurface region front the on surface fee site is 1.26 ev.
Removal of Lead from Aqueous Solution Onto Untreated Coffee Grounds: a Fixed-bed Column Study

The breakthrough time increased and the saturation time decreased with the increase of flow rate. The Adams–Bohart, Thomas and BDST models were applied to the adsorption under varying experimental conditions to predict the breakthrough curves and to evaluate the model parameters of the fixed-bed column that are useful for process design. The Adams–Bohart model was in good agreement with the experimental data. The untreated coffee grounds column study states the value of the excellent adsorption capacity for the removal of Pb (II) from aqueous solution.
Role of stanniocalcin-1 in breast cancer

Breast cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease consisting of five disease subtypes with distinct histological characteristics, clinical behaviors and prognostic features. Stanniocalcin-1 (STC1) is a secreted glycoprotein hormone that has been demonstrated to regulate calcium and phosphate homeostasis. Mammalian STC1 is expressed in various tissues and is implicated in multiple physiological and pathophysiological processes. In addition, growing evidence has suggested that STC1 serves an oncogenic role in a number of different types of tumor. However, the role of STC1 in breast cancer is complex, considering that some studies have shown that it exerts an oncogenic role, whereas other studies have demonstrated the opposite. The aim of the present review article is to evaluate the currently available data on mammalian STC1 and discuss its potential roles in each subtype of breast cancer.
DIRECT NUMERICAL SIMULATIONS OF THE TURBULENT CONVECTION AND THERMAL RADIATION IN A RAYLEIGH-BENARD CELL

We perform direct numerical simulations (DNS) of turbulent Rayleigh-Benard convection coupled with surface-to-surface radiation in a rectangular enclosure filled with air to investigate whether this interaction influences the heat transfer, temperature distribution and the flow structures. To do so, horizontal solid plates with finite conductivity are employed for the considered Rayleigh-Benard cell. Such boundary conditions allow local variations of the temperature at the hot and cold interfaces due to their interaction with the fluid and surface radiation. In order to investigate the maximum effect of those boundary conditions, both interfaces are treated as a blackbody e=1 and the cell is filled with a radiatively non-participating fluid (Prandtl number Pr=0.7). The effects of radiation for highly conducting plates are shown and compared to the case where radiation is neglected. It is found that due to highly conducting plates the mean temperature at the interfaces changes only 0.04% from the one of the infinite conductive plates. Furthermore, we observe that due to surface-to-surface radiation coupled with highly conducting plates, the mean temperature at the interfaces changes 0.1% at the interfaces and 0.2% in the bulk. It is shown that the temperature at the hot interface tends to decrease due to the radiative heat loss while the temperature at the cold interface slightly increases. Apart from that, we observe small changes in the temperature distribution at the interfaces due to surface-to-surface radiation. We notice that the highest temperatures at the top interface appear in the middle and the values steadily decrease towards the edges. Additionally, we observe a small drop of the convective Nusselt number and little variations of the temperature distribution at the interfaces. Finally, it is shown that all mentioned variations caused by heat radiation between interfaces are too small to visibly change the large scale flow structures when highly conducting plates are employed. It is also shown that in the non-radiation case of poorly conducting plates the heat transfer and the temperature variations at the interfaces are influenced significantly.
Correlation between temporomandibular disorder and quality of sleep in women

Introducao: A etiologia da Disfuncao Temporomandibular (TMD) e multifatorial e apresenta sintomatologia variada, sendo a dor o sintoma mais comum, o que pode influenciar na qualidade do sono. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a correlacao entre a TMD e a qualidade e quantidade de sono. Metodos: Estudo transversal no qual foram selecionadas 60 mulheres entre 18 e 40 anos, portadoras de TMD, diagnosticadas por meio do Criterios de Diagnostico para Pesquisa das Desordens Temporomandibulares (RDC/TMD), e que responderam ao Indice Anamnetico de Fonsecapara classificacao quanto ao grau de severidade da disfuncao. Para completar a avaliacao, cada voluntaria respondeu a Escala visual analogica da dor, e duas questoes com relacao a qualidade do sono, e a quantidade media de horas de sono por noite. Resultados: Verificou-se que quanto mais severa a TMD, menor o numero de horas dormidas por noite (r = -0,5663) e 63,33% das voluntarias relataram nao dormir bem. Com relacao a dor, quanto maior a dor, menor as horas dormidas (r = -0,516) e quanto mais severa a TMD, maior a dor. Conclusao: Observou-se que quanto mais severa a TMD, maior a dor e menor o numero de horas que as voluntarias referiam dormir por noite.
How does grazing by cattle modify the vegetation of coastal grasslands along the Baltic Sea

Jutila, H. , Satakunta Environmental Research Centre, University of Turku,Konttorinkatu 1, FIN-28900 Pori, Finland (e-mail: Heli.Jutila@utu.ﬁ); presentaddress: Aijalankatu 4B 12, FIN-13210 Hameenlinna, Finland (e-mail:heli.jutila@ymos.htk.fi)Received 25 August 2000, accepted 9 October 2000Jutila, H. 2001: How does grazing by cattle modify the vegetation of coastalgrasslands along the Baltic Sea? — Ann. Bot. Fennici 38: 181–200.The vegetation of four grazed and ﬁve ungrazed shore grasslands was studied inseashore and in delta on the southwestern coast of Finland. Ordinations and classiﬁca-tions separated delta plots from seashore plots, which were further divided into reedstand plots, epilittoral plots and geo- and hydrolittoral plots. The partitions reﬂectedﬂooding stress, moisture conditions, grazing and properties of parent material. Elevationexplained the data best. The primary factor in producing the vegetation zonation patternin these Baltic coastal grasslands is the short-term ﬂuctuation in sea-level. Althoughgrazing was not the most important factor for explaining the variability in the data, itsimpact on the vegetation was considerable.
Effect of Incisal Porcelain Veneering Thickness on the Fracture Resistance of CAD/CAM Zirconia All-Ceramic Anterior Crowns

Statement of Problem In some clinical situations, the vertical length of either a prepared tooth or an implant abutment is short, while the occlusal clearance to be restored by a porcelain crown is large. Incisal thickness of the veneering porcelain should be considered to prevent mechanical failure of the crown. Purpose The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of two different incisal veneering porcelain thickness on the fracture resistance of the anterior all-ceramic CAD/CAM zirconia crown system as compared with the conventionally used metal ceramic crown system. Method CAD/CAM zirconia all-ceramic and metal ceramic crowns were fabricated on the prepared dies with standardized dimensions and designs using standardized methods according to the manufacturer's instructions. All crowns were then adhesively luted with resin-based cement (Multilink cement system), subjected to thermal cycling and cyclic loading, and were loaded until fracture using the universal testing machine to indicate the fracture resistance for each crown material in each veneering thickness. Results Statistical analysis was carried out, and the results showed that the fracture resistance of the nickel-chromium metal ceramic group was significantly higher than that of the CAD/CAM zirconia all-ceramic group. Also, the fracture resistance of crowns with 1.5 mm incisal veneering thickness was significantly higher than those with 3 mm incisal veneering thickness in both groups. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the fracture mode of the two groups where 50% of the total specimens demonstrated Mode II (veneer chipping), while 35% demonstrated Mode I (visible crack) and only 15% demonstrated Mode III (bulk fracture). Conclusion High failure load values were demonstrated by the specimens in this study, which suggest sufficient strength of both incisal veneering thickness in both crown systems to withstand clinical applications; however, the fracture patterns still underline the requirement of a core design that support a consistent thickness of the veneering ceramic, and it is recommended to conduct long-term prospective clinical studies to confirm findings reported in the present study.
Quantification of quality of life improvement after appropriate symptoms control in cancer patients with breakthrough pain: A four-week follow-up study in a palliative care unit

Objective: The occurrence of breakthrough pain (BTP) in cancer patients is associated with a poor prognosis and a negative impact on their quality of life (QoL). Their symptom profile and how adequate symptom control influences QoL is not known. The study objective was to assess symptom control in cancer patients with BTP attending the palliative care unit (PC) and its relationship to QoL. Methods: A four-week observational study in patients aged over 18 years with cancer, BTP and Karnofsky over 30. Symptoms were assessed using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS). At baseline and at the end of the study the EuroQoL-5D-5L was completed. Results: The study included 80 patients, 78.8% males, with a mean age of 69.9 years. A significant improvement was seen in all symptoms at the end of the study (p=0.001). In 7 of 10 symptoms improved symptom control (ESAS≤4) between 48 hours and two weeks (p<0.01). The proportion of patients with all ESAS symptoms controlled improved from 2.5% (n=2) to 52.6% (n=40) at the end of the study. Pain reduction was the only symptom able to improve QoL independently (p=0.031). Control of the 10 ESAS symptoms improved QoL 11.5 mm (95% CI 1.3-21.8; p=0.028). Conclusions: Pain is the symptom requiring priority treatment, since improves QoL independently. Adequate control of most symptoms was achieved in less than two weeks, after patient referred to our PC unit. The patient quality of care objective in our department will be to achieve control of the 10 ESAS symptoms in at least 52.6% of patients in one month. *Correspondence to: Begoña Soler López, Medical Director, E-C-BIO, S.L. c/ Rosa de Lima, 1, Edificio ALBA, Office 016, 28230 – Las Rozas (Madrid), Spain, Tel: +34916300480; Fax: +34918582900; E-mail: bsoler@ecbio.net
Effects of Insulin Resistance on Systemic Hemodynamics and Autonomic Cardiovascular Regulation in Normotensive Healthy Adults

5 Part 1: Insulin resistance and beat-to-beat cardiovascular dynamics: a constant relationship across different body mass index and blood pressure categories . 9 Introduction . 10 Research design and Methods . 11 Study population . 11 Study assessments . 12 Questionnaire and Anthropometric measurements . 12 Hemodynamic assessment . 12 Blood pressure measurement . 14 Laboratory tests . 15 Definition of metabolic and blood pressure phenotypes . 15 Statistical analysis . 16 Results . 17 Discussion . 30 Limitations of the study . 33 Perspectives . 34 Part 2: Effects of Insulin Resistance on Systemic Hemodynamics and Autonomic Cardiovascular Regulation in Normotensive Healthy Adults . 35 Introduction . 36 Research design and methods . 38
Various Immunologic and Virologic Responses to Second line Antiretroviral Therapy in Tambaram, India

Introduction: We studied the prevalence and associated factors for various immunologic and virologic responses to second line antiretroviral therapy (SLA) in patients enrolled in a government tertiary care hospital in Chennai , India Methods: A cross-sectional study of human immunodeficiency virus patients who have failed first line antiretroviral therapy and subsequently initiated on SLA . Concordant favourable response (CFR) or (CD4+/VL+) was defined as: increase in CD4 count of >=50 cells/mL and achievement of plasma viral load 400 copies/mL. Various clinical and demographic factors were analyzed between different response groups using Chi-Square test, t-test, and One way ANOVA Results: From January 2008 to February 2009, 60 patients initiated on SLA. In those 76.7% experienced CD4+/ VL+, 10% CD4+/VL-, 5% CD4-/VL+ and 8.3% CD4-/VL- response. The characteristics of CFR and CUR groups were: 97.8% and 100% males (p- value>0.05), mean baseline CD4 count of 100 and 198 cells/mL (p-value 0.05), mean CD4 count at 6 months (313 vs. 147 cells/mL; p-value 95% (100% vs. 40%; p-value<0.05). Immunologic only response (CD4+/VL-) was associated with sub optimal adherence. Conclusion: 76.7% of patients after 6 months on SLA indicated CFR and 8.3% experienced CUR. CUR associated with poor adherence.