Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reflective and thermal cracking modeling of asphalt concrete overlays

Although asphalt concrete overlay systems represent a rapid and economical alternative for the repair of deteriorated pavements, reflective cracking continues to be major cause of premature deterioration of these systems. A better understanding of the complex mechanisms behind reflective cracking in asphalt overlays must first be obtained before significant advances in reflective crack prevention and mechanics-based overlay design can be fully realized. Traditional modeling approaches have not provided a direct means for the study of crack initiation and propagation in pavements. The cohesive zone fracture modeling approach provides a rational means for modeling cracking in structural systems consisting of quasi-brittle materials, as a finite length scale associated with the fracturing process is considered. A bi-linear cohesive zone model (Song et al., 2006) was used in the simulation of cracking in three field pavement sections studied in a recent NSF GOALI project. Detailed field performance data, especially crack maps from visual surveys were obtained and compared to the numerical simulation results. The temperature boundary conditions were generated using the Enhanced Integrated Climatic Model developed by Dempsey et al. (1990) based upon air temperatures obtained from National Weather Service databases. Viscoelastic bulk and cohesive fracture material properties for these pavement sections were obtained by laboratory testing of specimens fabricated from 150-mm field cores, in accordance with a new, efficient testing suite (Wagoner et al., 2006). A series of numerical simulations were performed using finite element models, which provided new insights towards the mechanisms of cracking in asphalt concrete overlays under thermal and mechanical loads. A series of finite element analyses were performed with hypothetical overlay configurations in an effort to demonstrate the concept of a “simulation-guided” interlayer/overlay design process, which allows the direct consideration of initiating and propagating cracks in one or more overlay layers.
Real Estate Development by Architectural Firms : Is the Business Model Future-Proof?

Architectural firms need business models that are able to deal with the diversity and uncertainty of their work to run a successful business over time. Little is known about the business models that are used in architectural service delivery and how they enable or constrain firms to create and capture value in their projects. In this research, a theoretical framework is used to systematically analyse the business models for the delivery of real estate development services by architectural firms. The findings are based on interview data collected at 22 Dutch architectural firms and show that the resources which are necessary for value creation may either enhance or constrain the firm's value capture. This research contributes to construction management literature by providing a profound insight into the pitfalls and opportunities of real estate development by architectural firms. It helps architects to improve their business models in order to enable organizational sustainability.
Mammal-like occlusion in conodonts

Abstract Conodont element function and feeding mechanisms are of considerable paleobiological importance, yet many details remain poorly understood and speculative. Analysis based on morphology, physical juxtaposition, and patterns of surface damage and microwear on pairs of Pa elements from individuals of Idiognathodus indicates that these elements crushed food by rotational closure, which brought the oral surfaces into complex interpenetrative occlusion. Other molariform conodont elements also functioned in this manner. Occlusion of this complexity is unique among nonmammalian vertebrates, and is all the more surprising given that conodonts lacked jaws. In addition to enhanced understanding of food processing in conodonts, our analysis suggests that many details of conodont Pa element morphology, which underpin taxonomy and biostratigraphy, can now be interpreted in a paleobiological, functional context.
Effect of Shape of Medication in Treatment of Anxiety States

In the clinical evaluation of drug treatment, medical practitioners have long appreciated the fact that the response does not merely reflect the pharmacological effect of the drug. The manner in which the treatment is presented to the patient by his therapist is important and there is ample proof in the literature of the therapeutic effects of inert substances—the so-called placebo effects (1, 2). In psychiatric practice particularly, the halo effects of such factors are of considerable importance.
Microsatellite evolution: polarity of substitutions within repeats and neutrality of flanking sequences

Though extensively used in a variety of disciplines, the evolutionary pattern of microsatellite sequences is still unclear. We addressed several questions relating to microsatellite evolution by analysing historically accumulated mutation events in a large set of artiodactyl (CA)n repeats, through sequence analysis of orthologous bovine and ovine loci. The substitution rate in microsatellite flanking sequences was not different from that in intron sequences, suggesting that if intron sequences in general are selectively neutral, sequences close to microsatellites are similarly so. This observation thus does not support the idea that successful heterologous amplification of microsatellites across distantly related taxa would be due to flanking sequences generally being under some form of selection. Interestingly, the substitution rate at the first nucleotide positions flanking repeats was significantly higher than in sequences further away. Moreover, the substitution rate in repeat units in the very end of microsatellites was significantly higher than that in the middle of repeat regions. Together these observations suggest a relative instability close to the boundary between repetitive and unique sequences. We present three models that potentially could explain such a feature, all involving inefficiency of mismatch repair systems.
Resistance to age-dependent thymic atrophy in long-lived mice that are deficient in pregnancy-associated plasma protein A

Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPPA) is a metalloproteinase that controls the tissue availability of insulin-like growth factor (IGF). Homozygous deletion of PAPPA in mice leads to lifespan extension. Since immune function is an important determinant of individual fitness, we examined the natural immune ecology of PAPPA−/− mice and their wild-type littermates reared under specific pathogen-free condition with aging. Whereas wild-type mice exhibit classic age-dependent thymic atrophy, 18-month-old PAPPA−/− mice maintain discrete thymic cortex and medulla densely populated by CD4+CD8+ thymocytes that are capable of differentiating into single-positive CD4 and CD8 T cells. Old PAPPA−/− mice have high levels of T cell receptor excision circles, and have bone marrows enriched for subsets of thymus-seeding progenitors. PAPPA−/− mice have an overall larger pool of naive T cells, and also exhibit an age-dependent accumulation of CD44+CD43+ memory T cells similar to wild-type mice. However, CD43+ T cell subsets of old PAPPA−/− mice have significantly lower prevalence of 1B11 and S7, glycosylation isoforms known to inhibit T cell activation with normal aging. In bioassays of cell activation, splenic T cells of old PAPPA−/− mice have high levels of activation antigens and cytokine production, and also elicit Ig production by autologous B cells at levels equivalent to young wild-type mice. These data suggest an IGF-immune axis of healthy longevity. Controlling the availability of IGF in the thymus by targeted manipulation of PAPPA could be a way to maintain immune homeostasis during postnatal development and aging.
An asymmetric effect of relational integration on recognition memory

Two experiments assessed whether conceptual relations (e.g., contains: cookie jar) facilitate the retrieval of concepts (e.g., cookie and jar) from long-term memory. The CARIN model of nominal combination asserts that conceptual relations are represented with and selected from the modifier noun (cookie). Thus, the model predicts that relational integration will facilitate memory for modifiers but not for head nouns (jar). In Experiment 1, concepts were studied in pairs and were then tested individually. Recognition accuracy was higher for modifiers than for head nouns. In Experiment 2, the studied concepts (e.g., cookie jar) were tested in the context of a new pair that instantiated either the same relation (e.g., cookie plate) or a different relation (e.g., cookie crumb). Recognition was again better for modifiers than for head nouns, but only when the same conceptual relation was instantiated at both study and test. Thus, results indicate that conceptual relations (a) facilitate recognition memory, and (b) are associated more strongly with the modifier than with the head noun.
Designing effective frequency response patterns for flexible thermostatic loads

Future power systems will have to integrate large amounts of wind and solar generation to drastically reduce CO2 emissions. Achieving this goal comes at the cost of a reduced level of the system inertia and an increased need for fast response services. Previous research has shown the effectiveness of thermostatically controlled loads (TCLs) providing frequency response, and the ability to accurately control the aggregate power consumption of TCLs. In this paper, we explore the design space of frequency response patterns of flexible TCLs. Two distinct frequency response implementations are presented. The first makes the TCLs' power consumption a linear function of system frequency and/or its rate of change; in the second, TCLs respond to a frequency event tracking a pre-programmed reference power profile. Computer simulations illustrate strengths and weaknesses of the proposed implementations in the context of the GB 2020 Gone Green scenario.
Teaching an Old Hormone New Tricks: Cytosolic Ca 2+ Elevation Involvement in Plant Brassinosteroid Signal

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are hormones that control many aspects of plant growth and development, acting at the cell level to promote division and expansion. BR regulation of plant and plant cell function occurs through altered expression of many genes. Transcriptional reprogramming downstream from cell perception of this hormone is currently known to be mediated by a phosphorylation/ dephosphorylation (“phosphorelay”) cascade that alters the stability of two master transcription regulators. Here, we provide evidence that BR perception by their receptor also causes an elevation in cytosolic Ca, initiating a Ca signaling cascade in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) cell cytosol. BR-dependent increases in the expression of some genes (INDOLE-3-ACETIC ACIDINDUCIBLE1 and PHYTOCHROME B ACTIVATION-TAGGED SUPPRESSOR1) were impaired in wild-type plants by a Ca channel blocker and also in the defense-no-death (dnd1) mutant, which lacks a functional cyclic GMP-activated cell membrane Ca-conducting channel. Alternatively, mutations that impair the BR phosphorelay cascade did not much affect the BR-dependent expression of these genes. Similar effects of the Ca channel blocker and dnd1 mutation were observed on a BR plant growth phenotype, deetiolation of the seedling hypocotyl. Further evidence presented in this report suggests that a BRdependent elevation in cyclic GMP may be involved in the Ca signaling cascade initiated by this hormone. The work presented here leads to a new model of the molecular steps that mediate some of the cell responses to this plant hormone.
Desensitization of beta-1 and beta-2, but not beta-3, adrenoceptor-mediated lipolytic responses of adipocytes after long-term norepinephrine infusion.

The beta-3 adrenoceptor protein lacks most of the potential phosphorylation sites for beta adrenoceptor kinase and protein kinase A. In addition, it exhibits a lower affinity toward norepinephrine than beta-1 or beta-2 adrenoceptors. It is thus expected that beta-3 adrenoceptors could be less implicated in desensitization processes than the beta-1 or beta-2 adrenoceptors. An attempt to demonstrate the physiological relevance of this prediction was performed by using fat cells having a beta-3 adrenergic responsiveness or not (hamster and guinea pig). The influence of prolonged in vivo exposure to norepinephrine on the beta adrenoceptor-mediated lipolytic responses was investigated in both species. In control guinea pigs, isoproterenol, norepinephrine and epinephrine were fully lipolytic, whereas BRL 37344 [(R',R')-4-2[2-((2[(3-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxyethyl]amino] propyl)phenyl]phenoxyacetic acid], CGP 12177](+-)-4-(3-tertiarybutylamino-2-hydroxypropoxy)- benzimidazole-2-on hydrochloride] and other beta-3 agonists were inefficient, whereas hamster adipocytes exhibited maximal response to the beta-3 agonists. Blockade of the lipolytic effect of isoproterenol in the guinea pig gave a rank order of beta antagonists [CGP 20712A (1-[2-(3-carbamoyl-4-hydroxyphenoxy)ethylamino]-3-4-(1-methyl-4-tr i-fluoro-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)phenoxy-2-propanol methanesulfonate] > bupranolol > or = propranolol >> ICI 118551 [erythrodl-1-(7- methylindan-4-yloxy)-3-isopropylaminobutan-2-ol)] in agreement with that of a beta-1 effect. In contrast, the selective beta-1 antagonist CGP 20712A did not counteract the effect of BRL 37344 in hamsters and bupranolol was the best beta antagonist tested; a result arguing for the predominance of a beta-3 component in the adrenergic activation of lipolysis, as in rat fat cells. In treated guinea pigs (6-day treatment with osmotic minipumps delivering norepinephrine at the rate of 5 micrograms/min/kg), the adrenocorticotropic hormone dose-response curve was identical to that of controls, but the curves for isoproterenol, norepinephrine and epinephrine were flattened and shifted to the right. A down-regulation of beta-1 and beta-2 adrenoceptors was evidenced by a reduction in [3H]CGP 12177 high-affinity binding sites. In treated hamsters, compared to the controls, there was no change in the lipolytic response to the beta adrenergic agonists. Other protocols of chronic exposure to norepinephrine (e.g., daily injections) at different doses were also unable to reduce the beta-lipolytic effect in the hamster fat cells. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
A metabolomics-driven approach to predict cocoa product consumption by designing a multimetabolite biomarker model in free-living subjects from the PREDIMED study.

SCOPE The aim of the current study was to apply an untargeted metabolomics strategy to characterize a model of cocoa intake biomarkers in a free-living population. METHODS AND RESULTS An untargeted HPLC-q-ToF-MS based metabolomics approach was applied to human urine from 32 consumers of cocoa or derived products (CC) and 32 matched control subjects with no consumption of cocoa products (NC). The multivariate statistical analysis (OSC-PLS-DA) showed clear differences between CC and NC groups. The discriminant biomarkers identified were mainly related to the metabolic pathways of theobromine and polyphenols, as well as to cocoa processing. Consumption of cocoa products was also associated with reduced urinary excretions of methylglutarylcarnitine, which could be related to effects of cocoa exposure on insulin resistance. To improve the prediction of cocoa consumption, a combined urinary metabolite model was constructed. ROC curves were performed to evaluate the model and individual metabolites. The AUC values (95% CI) for the model were 95.7% (89.8-100%) and 92.6% (81.9-100%) in training and validation sets, respectively, whereas the AUCs for individual metabolites were <90%. CONCLUSIONS The metabolic signature of cocoa consumption in free-living subjects reveals that combining different metabolites as biomarker models improves prediction of dietary exposure to cocoa.
Lymph node metastases as only qualifier for stage IV serous ovarian cancer confers longer survival than other sites of distant disease – a Swedish Gynecologic Cancer Group (SweGCG) study

Abstract Background: The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) ovarian cancer staging system includes no sub-stage for lymph nodes (LN) as only distant disease manifestation. We explore the prognostic implication of LN as only stage IV classifier in serous ovarian cancer. Method: This is a nation-wide, population-based study on 551 women with serous stage IV cancers diagnosed between 2009–2014. We compare overall survival (OS) in women with LN as only distant metastatic site to those with pleural metastases only and to patients with other/multiple stage IV manifestations. Cox regression models were used for uni- and multivariable estimations. Results: Of 551stage IV cases, distant metastatic site was registered in 433. Median OS for women with LN (n = 51) was 41.4 months, compared to 25.2 and 26.8 months for patients with pleural (n = 195) or other/multiple (n = 187) distant metastases (p = .0007). The corresponding five-year survival rates were 32, 11 and 22%, respectively. Multivariable analyzes confirmed shorter survival for women with pleural (HR 2.99, p = .001) or other/multiple distant sites (HR 2.67, p = .007), as compared to LN cases. LN only patients lived 9.1 months longer after primary than after interval surgery, but this difference was not significant (p = .245). Conclusion: Women with stage IV serous ovarian cancer having lymph nodes as only distant metastatic site live longer than other stage IV patients.
Kinetic study on enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose by cellulose from Trichoderma viride

Pure cellulose (Avicel) was hydrolyzed batchwise at 50°C and pH 4.8 by cellulase from Trichoderma viride (Meicelase CEP). Then the effects of the crystallinity of cellulose as well as the thermal deactivation and product (cellubiose and glucose) inhibition to cellulose on the hydrolysis rate were quantitatively investigated. While these factor had evidently retarded the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose to a significant extent, the hydrolysis rates observed could not be explained. For practical purposes, an empirical, simple rate expression was developed which included only one parameter: a overall rate retardation constant. This empirical rate expression held for the hydrolysis of at least two kind of cellulosic materials: Avicel and tissue paper.
Changes in serum prolactin, sex hormones and thyroid function with alternate nightly nocturnal home haemodialysis

Aim: Uraemia is associated with hyperprolactinaemia, low total (TT) and free (FT) serum testosterone, high luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) and, in women, anovulatory cycles and premature menopause. We hypothesize that extended hours haemodialysis may improve these derangements.
Prediction of soil sorption coefficient of organic pesticides from the atom‐type electrotopological state indices

A group contribution approach based on atom‐type electrotopological state indices for predicting the soil sorption coefficient (log KOC) of a diverse set of 201 organic pesticides is presented. Using a training set of 143 compounds, for which the log KOC values were in the range from 0.42 to 5.31, multiple linear regression (MLR) and artificial neural networks were used to build the models. The models were validated using two test sets of 20 and 38 chemicals not included in the training set. The statistics for a linear model with 12 structural parameters were, in test set 1, r2 = 0.79, s = 0.45 and, in test set 2, r2 = 0.74, s = 0.65. These results clearly show that soil sorption coefficients can be accurately and rapidly estimated from easily calculated structural parameters.
Impact of Systemic Therapy and Recurrence Pattern on Survival Outcome after Radiofrequency Ablation for Colorectal Liver Metastases

Background: Most patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of colorectal liver metastasases (CLM) develop disease recurrence, but little is known about the effect of recurrence patterns and/or systemic therapy on outcome. In this study, we examined the recurrence patterns and survival after systemic therapy plus RFA in patients with unresectable CLM without extrahepatic disease. The aims were to analyze the effect of recurrence patterns on survival and to assess the relative benefit contributed by systemic therapy and local ablation to disease control and patient outcome. Methods: From January 2002 to December 2012, 113 patients underwent RFA of liver-limited CLM after systemic therapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses for associations between clinical and/or treatment-related variables, recurrence-free survival (RFS), recurrence patterns, and overall survival (OS) were carried out. Results: Of 113 patients, 105 (92.8%) had disease recurrence (median RFS: 6.1 months). Lower post-recurrence OS was observed after early (≤6 months) than after late recurrence (8.5 versus 24.0 months, p < 0.001). Recurrence sites were RFA-sites only (4.8%), liver-only (57.1%), lung-only (10.5%), or multiple (27.6%); the corresponding post-recurrence OS was 21, 19, 39, and 7 months (p < 0.001), respectively. Response to pre-RFA systemic therapy was the strongest predictor for OS (hazard ratio [HR] 5.28), RFS (HR 3.30), early (odds ratio [OR] 6.34) and multiple-site recurrence (OR 3.83) (p < 0.01), respectively; only responders achieved 5-year OS and RFS (29% and 12% versus 0% and 0% for non-responders, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Survival after RFA for liver-limited CLM is strongly linked to the timing and pattern of non-local disease recurrence. Local ablation efficacy is necessary but not sufficient to obtain long-term disease control. Effective pre-RFA systemic therapy does favourably affect the incidence, timing and patterns of recurrence and long-term survival and appears essential for the tailoring of RFA application to maximize patient benefit.
Biochemical and Physiologial Characteristics of Insecticide Resistance in Diamondback Moth

A pyrethroid-resistant strain of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), originally collected in Thailand showed cross-resistance to all the pyrethroids tested. Upon further selection with fenvalerate in the laboratory, the strain exhibited an extremely high LD50 value, 41 μg/larva, for fenvalerate. In genetic studies of the resistance, the F1 progeny showed recessive gene(s), while the B1 and F2 progenies had a more complex genetic nature. The in vivo dynamics of fenvalerate applied topically showed: (1) reduced cuticular penetration; (2) increased detoxification; and (3) insensitivity at the site of action being responsible for the resistance mechanism. A large portion of the increased detoxification was due to cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenases, judging from a remarkable synergism of fenvalerate toxicity by piperonyl butoxide. The resistance was unusually unstable in the absence of selection pressure. The LD50 decreased about 50% in every generation. Selection pressure once with fenvalerate or even with malathion, however, increased the LD50 restoring the fenvalerate resistance. There was no significant difference in the fitness between the resistant strain and its revertant. These results may imply the presence of an unknown factor(s) necessary to maintain the insecticide resistance in diamondback moth, which cannot be explained by the conventional preadaptation theory.