Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Fiber Shape on the Tribological, Mechanical, and Morphological Behaviors of Sisal Fiber-Reinforced Resin-Based Friction Materials: Helical, Undulated, and Straight Shapes

In this paper, we aim to evaluate the tribological, mechanical, and morphological performance of resin-based friction composites reinforced by sisal fibers with different shapes, namely helical, undulated, and straight shapes. The experimental results show that the shape of the sisal fibers exerts a significant effect on the impact property of the composite materials but no obvious influence on the density and hardness. The friction composite containing the helical-shaped sisal fibers exhibits the best overall tribological behaviors, with a relatively low fade (9.26%), high recovery (98.65%), and good wear resistance (2.061 × 10−7 cm3∙N−1∙m−1) compared with the other two composites containing undulated-shaped fibers and straight-shaped fibers. The impact fracture surfaces and worn surfaces of the composite materials were inspected by scanning electron microscopy, and we demonstrate that adding helical-shaped sisal fibers into the polymer composites provides an enhanced fiber–matrix interface adhesion condition and reduces the extent of fiber debonding and pullout, effectively facilitating the presence of more secondary plateaus on the friction surface, which are responsible for the enhanced tribological and mechanical properties. The outcome of this study reveals that sisal fibers with a helical shape could be a promising candidate as a reinforcement material for resin-based brake friction composite applications.
Faces of Pain during Dental Procedures: Reliability of Scoring Facial Expressions in Print Art

Background: Observational tools have been developed to assess pain in cognitively impaired individuals. It is not known, however, whether these tools are universal enough so that even pain depicted in print art can be assessed reliably. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the reliability in scoring facial expressions of pain in dental print art from the 17th, 18th, and 19th century, using a Short Form of the 15-item Pain Assessment in Impaired Cognition (PAIC15-SF) tool. Methods: Seventeen prints of patients undergoing dental procedures were scored twice by two inexperienced observers and an expert and once by a Gold Standard observer. Results: All observers achieved high intra-observer reliability for all four items of the category “facial expressions” and for three items of the category “body movements” (ICC: 0.748–0.991). The remaining two items of the category “body movements”, viz., “rubbing” and “restlessness”, were excluded from further research because it was not possible to calculate a reliable ICC. Overall, the intra-observer reliability of the expert was higher than that of the inexperienced observers. The inter-observer reliability scores varied from poor to excellent (ICC: 0.000–0.970). In comparison to the Gold Standard, the inter-observer reliability of the expert was higher than that of the inexperienced observers. Conclusion: The PAIC15-SF tool is universal enough even to allow reliable assessment of facial expressions of pain depicted in dental print art.
Does Reflection on Everyday Events Enhance Meaning in Life and Well-Being among Emerging Adults? Self-Efficacy as Mediator between Meaning in Life and Well-Being

In recent years, the issue of the meaning in life has aroused particularly great interest in researchers considering the question of whether and how, using simple interventions, outside the therapeutic office, the sense of meaning in life and well-being can be strengthened. The aim of this study was to explore whether interventions based on reflection on everyday, stressful situations can contribute to fostering the sense of meaning in life and psychological well-being among emerging adults. Additionally, we aimed to explore relationships between the above-mentioned constructs and self-efficacy. The research focuses on emerging adults, who, as statistics show, are the most vulnerable among all adults to various mental problems. A pretest–posttest control group design was used. The study involved 80 emerging adults (56 women and 24 men) who were randomly assigned to the experimental group, which completed specially prepared diaries for a week, or the control group. Participants completed the Meaning in Life Questionnaire, the Generalised Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Ryff Scales of Psychological Well-Being twice. In the experimental group, significant differences were noted between pretest and posttest in psychological well-being, especially in the area of relationships with others (Mpretest = 59.3; Mposttest = 65.07; t(39) = −11.40; p = 0.001) and purpose in life (Mpretest = 54.85; Mposttest = 58.21; t(39) = −3.15; p = 0.003), as well as self-efficacy (Mpretest = 28.06; Mposttest = 29.60; t(39) = −2.82; p = 0.007). There were no differences in the level of meaning in life. The analysis carried out showed that self-efficacy mediates the relationship between presence of meaning in life and psychological well-being (the Aroian test: z = 4.48; SE = 0.11; p = 0.0007).
Final Destination? Pinpointing Hyella disjuncta sp. nov. PCC 6712 (Cyanobacteria) Based on Taxonomic Aspects, Multicellularity, Nitrogen Fixation and Biosynthetic Gene Clusters

Unicellular cyanobacteria inhabit a wide range of ecosytems and can be found throughout the phylum offering space for taxonomic confusion. One example is strain PCC 6712 that was described as Chlorogloea sp. (Nostocales) and later assigned to the genus Chroococcidiopsis (Chroococcidiopsidales). We now show that this strain belongs to the order Pleurocapsales and term it Hyella disjuncta based on morphology, genome analyses and 16S-23S ITS rRNA phylogeny. Genomic analysis indicated that H. disjuncta PCC 6712 shared about 44.7% orthologue genes with its closest relative H. patelloides. Furthermore, 12 cryptic biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) with potential bioactivity, such as a mycosporine-like amino acid BGC, were detected. Interestingly, the full set of nitrogen fixation genes was found in H. disjuncta PCC 6712 despite its inability to grow on nitrogen-free medium. A comparison of genes responsible for multicellularity was performed, indicating that most of these genes were present and related to those found in other cyanobacterial orders. This is in contrast to the formation of pseudofilaments—a main feature of the genus Hyella—which is weakly expressed in H. disjuncta PCC 6712 but prominent in Hyella patelloides LEGE 07179. Thus, our study pinpoints crucial but hidden aspects of polyphasic cyanobacterial taxonomy.
The PD-1/PD-L1 Checkpoint in Normal Germinal Centers and Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphomas

Simple Summary The PD-1/PD-L1 axis is not only involved in anti-tumour immune evasion of germinal center (GC)-derived diffuse large B cell lymphomas (DLBCL), but also inherently in the fine-tuned regulation of normal GC reactions during humoral immune responses. This checkpoint axis modulates crosstalks between B and T cells that allow positive selection for survival and proliferation. Malignant DLBCL cells may deceive and take advantage of these mechanisms to establish an immunosuppressive microenvironment. This review delves into PD-1/PD-L1 role in the complex inter-cellular interactions from normal GC reactions to DLBCL progression, in order to highlight vulnerabilities that could be targeted by promising combination immunotherapies. Abstract Besides a recognized role of PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint in anti-tumour immune evasion, there is accumulating evidence that PD-1/PD-L1 interactions between B and T cells also play an important role in normal germinal center (GC) reactions. Even when smaller in number, T follicular helper cells (TFH) and regulatory T (TFR) or B (Breg) cells are involved in positive selection of GC B cells and may result critical in the lymphoma microenvironment. Here, we discuss a role of PD-1/PD-L1 during tumour evolution in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), a paradigm of GC-derived lymphomagenesis. We depict a progression model, in two phases, where malignant B cells take advantage of positive selection signals derived from correct antigen-presentation and PD-1/PD-L1 inter-cellular crosstalks to survive and initiate tumour expansion. Later, a constant pressure for the accumulation of genetic/epigenetic alterations facilitates that DLBCL cells exhibit higher PD-L1 levels and capacity to secrete IL-10, resembling Breg-like features. As a result, a complex immunosuppressive microenvironment is established where DLBCL cells sustain proliferation and survival by impairing regulatory control of TFR cells and limiting IL-21-mediated anti-tumour functions of TFH cells and maximize the use of PD-1/PD-L1 signaling to escape from CD8+ cytotoxic activity. Integration of these molecular and cellular addictions into a framework may contribute to the better understanding of the lymphoma microenvironment and contribute to the rationale for novel PD-1/PD-L1-based combinational immunotherapies in DLBCL.
Imaging Features and Prognostic Value of FDG PET/CT in Patients with Intravascular Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Purpose The clinical value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) in intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is unknown. This study investigated the association between PET/CT features and prognosis in IVLBCL patients. Patients and Methods Subjects were 30 newly diagnosed Asian variant IVLBCL patients at a single institution. Baseline PET/CT was analyzed for the distribution and intensity of FDG lesions, and PET/CT pattern groups were compared for the outcome. Results Eight patients had hypermetabolic lymph node (LN) lesions (Nodal group). The remaining 22 patients with extranodal (EN) involvement were categorized into Deauville score 3–4 (EN/DS3-4; n = 14) and DS5 groups (EN/DS5; n = 8). First-line therapy resulted in a complete or partial response in 75.0%, 64.3%, and 100% of the respective groups. Treatment-related deaths occurred in one nodal group and three EN/DS3-4 group cases, but none among the EN/DS5 group. During 56 months of follow-up, disease progression or relapse occurred in five, four, and one case of respective groups. Cancer-related death occurred more frequently in the Nodal (n = 6) and EN/DS3-4 groups (n = 7) than the EN/DS5 group (n = 1; P = 0.041). Nodal and EN/DS3-4 groups had worse 5-year event-free survival (EFS; 25.0% and 49.0%, respectively, P = 0.010 and 0.076) and overall survival (OS; 33.3% and 48.2%, P = 0.010 and 0.068) compared to the EN/DS5 group (87.5% EFS and 87.5% OS). Conclusion In patients with Asian variant IVLBCL, the distribution and intensity of FDG uptake lesions on PET/CT can be useful for predicting treatment outcomes and survival.
Relationship between socio-demographics, body composition, emotional state, and social support on metabolic syndrome risk among adults in rural Mongolia

Background In Mongolia, where there is a large regional gap in the quality of healthcare services, metabolic syndrome (MetS) is steadily increasing. However, there are few studies on the risk level of MetS and affecting factors among adults living in rural Mongolia. This study aims to explore the relationship between socio-demographics, clinical characteristics, emotional state, and social support on the risk level of MetS prevalence among adults living in rural Mongolia. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 143 adults living in the soum area of Dondgovi aimag in Mongolia were recruited. Data collection was conducted from July 2 to 3, 2019. The self-reported questionnaires including socio-demographic, clinical characteristics and emotional status, anthropometric tests using the InBody, and blood sampling tests were conducted. The number of individual diagnostic criteria met was scored as a MetS risk score and classified into 6 groups, from the lowest score of 0 to the highest score of 5. The ordinal logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors affecting the risk of MetS. Results The prevalence of MetS among adults living in rural Mongolia was 58.0%, and the mean MetS risk score was 2.70±1.34 points. In the ordinal logistic regression analysis, age, regular exercise of moderate intensity or higher, InBody score reflecting obesity or sarcopenia, and depression level were statistically significantly associated with the risk score for MetS. Conclusions Our study demonstrated that MetS risk levels among adults living in rural Mongolia with limited medical resources were strongly associated with demographic characteristics, body composition and emotional health condition, particularly depression.
Spread of virus laden aerosols inside a moving sports utility vehicle with open windows: A numerical study

A three dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model to study the dispersion of virus laden aerosols in a car moving with its windows open is reported. The aerosols are generated when a possibly infected passenger speaks. A sports utility vehicle having three rows of seats has been considered. As the vehicle moves forward, its interior will exchange air from the surroundings. The CFD model captures the flow patterns generated both outside and inside the vehicle. This internal aerodynamics will in turn dictate how aerosols will spread across the interior and whether or not they will be transported outside the vehicle. A Lagrangian approach is used to determine the transport of the aerosol particles and the effect of particle size on the simulation result has been studied. Four sets of scenarios of practical interest have been considered. The first set shows the effect of vehicle speed on aerosol transport, and the second set describes what happens when some of the windows are closed, while the third set describes how aerosol transport is affected by the location of the passenger speaking. The fourth set describes how a gush of cross wind affects aerosol transport. Simulation results reveal that when all windows are open, aerosols can go out of one window and then return back to the vehicle interior through another window. Results also reveal that when a passenger sitting in the second row speaks, the aerosols generated span across the entire volume of the car interior before going out through the open windows.
Kinetics of Nucleocapsid, Spike and Neutralizing Antibodies, and Viral Load in Patients with Severe COVID-19 Treated with Convalescent Plasma

COVID-19 is an ongoing pandemic with high morbidity and mortality. Despite meticulous research, only dexamethasone has shown consistent mortality reduction. Convalescent plasma (CP) infusion might also develop into a safe and effective treatment modality on the basis of recent studies and meta-analyses; however, little is known regarding the kinetics of antibodies in CP recipients. To evaluate the kinetics, we followed 31 CP recipients longitudinally enrolled at a median of 3 days post symptom onset for changes in binding and neutralizing antibody titers and viral loads. Antibodies against the complete trimeric Spike protein and the receptor-binding domain (Spike-RBD), as well as against the complete Nucleocapsid protein and the RNA binding domain (N-RBD) were determined at baseline and weekly following CP infusion. Neutralizing antibody (pseudotype NAb) titers were determined at the same time points. Viral loads were determined semi-quantitatively by SARS-CoV-2 PCR. Patients with low humoral responses at entry showed a robust increase of antibodies to all SARS-CoV-2 proteins and Nab, reaching peak levels within 2 weeks. The rapid increase in binding and neutralizing antibodies was paralleled by a concomitant clearance of the virus within the same timeframe. Patients with high humoral responses at entry demonstrated low or no further increases; however, virus clearance followed the same trajectory as in patients with low antibody response at baseline. Together, the sequential immunological and virological analysis of this well-defined cohort of patients early in infection shows the presence of high levels of binding and neutralizing antibodies and potent clearance of the virus.
Flexible Ultra-Thin Nanocomposite Based Piezoresistive Pressure Sensors for Foot Pressure Distribution Measurement

Foot pressure measurement plays an essential role in healthcare applications, clinical rehabilitation, sports training and pedestrian navigation. Among various foot pressure measurement techniques, in-shoe sensors are flexible and can measure the pressure distribution accurately. In this paper, we describe the design and characterization of flexible and low-cost multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)/Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) based pressure sensors for foot pressure monitoring. The sensors have excellent electrical and mechanical properties an show a stable response at constant pressure loadings for over 5000 cycles. They have a high sensitivity of 4.4 kΩ/kPa and the hysteresis effect corresponds to an energy loss of less than 1.7%. The measurement deviation is of maximally 0.13% relative to the maximal relative resistance. The sensors have a measurement range of up to 330 kPa. The experimental investigations show that the sensors have repeatable responses at different pressure loading rates (5 N/s to 50 N/s). In this paper, we focus on the demonstration of the functionality of an in-sole based on MWCNT/PDMS nanocomposite pressure sensors, weighing approx. 9.46 g, by investigating the foot pressure distribution while walking and standing. The foot pressure distribution was investigated by measuring the resistance changes of the pressure sensors for a person while walking and standing. The results show that pressure distribution is higher in the forefoot and the heel while standing in a normal position. The foot pressure distribution is transferred from the heel to the entire foot and further transferred to the forefoot during the first instance of the gait cycle.
Current Trends in Advanced Alginate-Based Wound Dressings for Chronic Wounds

Chronic wounds represent a major public health issue, with an extremely high cost worldwide. In healthy individuals, the wound healing process takes place in different stages: inflammation, cell proliferation (fibroblasts and keratinocytes of the dermis), and finally remodeling of the extracellular matrix (equilibrium between metalloproteinases and their inhibitors). In chronic wounds, the chronic inflammation favors exudate persistence and bacterial film has a special importance in the dynamics of chronic inflammation in wounds that do not heal. Recent advances in biopolymer-based materials for wound healing highlight the performance of specific alginate forms. An ideal wound dressing should be adherent to the wound surface and not to the wound bed, it should also be non-antigenic, biocompatible, semi-permeable, biodegradable, elastic but resistant, and cost-effective. It has to give protection against bacterial, infectious, mechanical, and thermal agents, to modulate the level of wound moisture, and to entrap and deliver drugs or other molecules This paper explores the roles of alginates in advanced wound-dressing forms with a particular emphasis on hydrogels, nanofibers networks, 3D-scaffolds or sponges entrapping fibroblasts, keratinocytes, or drugs to be released on the wound-bed. The latest research reports are presented and supported with in vitro and in vivo studies from the current literature.
Effect of Hostile Solutions on the Residual Fatigue Life of Kevlar/Epoxy Composites after Impact Loading

Due to the enormous benefits inherent to composite materials, they have been widely used in the most diverse fields of engineering. Therefore, it is not surprising that in many of these applications they can be exposed to hostile environments, which can affect the mechanical performance of such materials. Therefore, the main goal of this work was to study the effect of immersion into different hostile solutions on the impact strength and, subsequently, to evaluate the residual fatigue life. For this purpose, the specimens were initially immersed into solutions of hydrochloric acid (HCl), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), sulphuric acid (H2SO4), diesel, distilled water, and seawater. Subsequently, the specimens were subjected to impact loads with an energy of 12 J and, finally, subjected to fatigue loads to assess the residual fatigue life. Seawater and NaOH solution provided the lowest impact strength. This was confirmed by the lower energy restored and impact bending stiffness (IBS), a parameter that allows evaluating the damage resistance of a composite. In terms of restored energy, for example, the seawater promoted a decrease around 30.4% in relation to the value obtained with non-immersed samples, while this value was 27.6% for the alkaline solution (NaOH). In terms of IBS, the lowest values were also obtained with these solutions (437.4 and 444.9 N/mm, respectively). Finally, the lowest residual fatigue life was also observed for these two solutions, and it was noticed that there was a direct relationship between the IBS and the residual fatigue life.
Pseudo-Anaphylactic Reactions to Pfizer BNT162b2 Vaccine: Report of 3 Cases of Anaphylaxis Post Pfizer BNT162b2 Vaccination

Anaphylactic reactions were observed after Singapore’s national coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination programme started in December 2020. We report the clinical and laboratory features of three patients in our institution who developed anaphylactic reactions after receiving the Pifzer BNT162b2 vaccine. IgM and IgG antibodies, but not IgE antibodies to the Pfizer BNT162b2 vaccine, were detected in all subjects. Similarly, mild to high elevated levels of anti-polyethylene glycol (PEG) IgG (1035–19709 U/mL, vs. vaccine-naive < 265 U/mL, vaccine-tolerant < 785 U/mL) and IgM (1682–5310 U/mL, vs. vaccine-naive < 1011 U/mL, vaccine-tolerant < 1007 U/mL) were detected in two out of three patients via commercial ELISA. High levels of serum anaphylatoxin C3a (79.0 ± 6.3 μg/mL, mean ± SD, vs. normal < 10 μg/mL) were observed in all three patients during the acute phase of the reaction, while tryptase levels, a marker of mast cell activation, were not elevated. Finally, one patient with the highest levels of anti-PEG IgG, IgM, and anti-Pfizer BNT162b2 IgG and IgM exhibited an enhanced Th2 cytokine serum profile during an acute reaction, with high levels of IL-4 (45.7 pg/mL, vs. vaccine-naive/tolerant < 2.30 pg/mL), IL-33 (86.4 pg/mL, vs. vaccine-naive/tolerant < 5.51 pg/mL) and IL-10 (22.9 pg/mL, vs. vaccine-naive/tolerant < 12.49 pg/mL) diminishing over time following corticosteroid treatment. Taken together, we propose these cases of anaphylaxis described are driven by a complement activation-related pseudoallergy (CAPRA), rather than classical IgE-mediated mechanisms.