Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of Multilayer Steels for Improved Combinations of High Strength and High Ductility

Multilayer steels have been developed to provide a novel route to achieving higher-performance steels by employing a high-strength steel and a high-ductility steel independently in the layer structure. In this article, a background to the development, design, fabrication, properties, and applications of multilayer steels are overviewed. Multilayer steels exhibit improved combinations of strength and ductility compared with existing monolithic steels and also excellent deformation behaviors under high-strain-rate deformation as well as good formability. Those improved performances of multilayer steel are achieved by increased interfacial toughness between the layers and decreased thickness of the brittle steel layers according to the fracture toughness of the brittle steel and the strength of the ductile steel. The concept of multilayer steels is extended by applying different combinations of components, such as Mg-steel multilayer composite. [doi:10.2320/matertrans.M2013382]
Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation Open Access Fmri-compatible Rehabilitation Hand Device

Background: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been widely used in studying human brain functions and neurorehabilitation. In order to develop complex and well-controlled fMRI paradigms, interfaces that can precisely control and measure output force and kinematics of the movements in human subjects are needed. Optimized state-of-the-art fMRI methods, combined with magnetic resonance (MR) compatible robotic devices for rehabilitation, can assist therapists to quantify, monitor, and improve physical rehabilitation. To achieve this goal, robotic or mechatronic devices with actuators and sensors need to be introduced into an MR environment. The common standard mechanical parts can not be used in MR environment and MR compatibility has been a tough hurdle for device developers.
Ultrasonographic assessment of the spleen in 60 healthy sheep

AIM: To evaluate the sonographic appearance, size, location and shape of the spleen in 60 healthy sheep. METHODS: A 7.5 MHz linear scanner was used to examine the location, extent and appearance of the spleen from the left side of the sheep, in intercostal spaces (ICS) 8–12 and caudal of the last rib. RESULTS: The ultrasonographic appearance of the splenic parenchyma was homogeneous with a thin, smooth echogenic capsule. The spleen could be visualized in intercostal spaces 9–12 in all sheep, in intercostal space 8 in 25/60 sheep (42%) and caudal of the last rib in 24/60 sheep (40%). In intercostal spaces 8–12 and caudal of the last rib the spleen was visible in 16/60 sheep (27 %). The distance from the dorsal margin of the spleen to the spinous processes of the thoracic vertebrae was greatest in the 8th intercostal space: mean 19.32 (SD 2.76) cm and smallest in the 12th intercostal space: mean 6.61 (SD 1.94) cm. The dorsoventral splenic extent was greatest in the 11th intercostal space: mean 13.69 (SD 2.2) cm and smallest in the 8th intercostal space: mean 7.13 (SD 2.5) cm. The thickness of the spleen ranged from 21 (SD 9.0) mm in the 8th intercostal space to 49 (SD 7.0) mm in the 11th intercostal space. The mean vessel diameter was 1.9 (SD 0.7) mm. Spleen size did not correlate with age, body weight, or thoracic and abdominal circumference. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography is a useful, straightforward and non-invasive method for evaluation of the spleen in sheep. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings provide information which can be used as a reference for sonographic spleen examination and diagnosis of splenic lesions in sheep.
Adolescent sexual health in Sweden

In Sweden, society’s attitudes towards teenage sexual relationships are liberal, and sexual and reproductive health issues are given high priority. Family and sex education has been taught in schools since the 1950s. The age of sexual consent is 15 years. Since 1975, abortion has been free on demand. Contraceptive counselling is free, easily available at family planning and youth health clinics. Screening for genital chlamydial infection is performed at these clinics, thus providing a “one stop shop” service. Condoms and oral contraception are available at low cost, emergency contraception is sold over the counter. Teenage childbearing is uncommon. However, sexual and reproductive health problems are on the increase among young people. During the 1990s, a period of economic stagnation in Sweden, schools have suffered budget cut backs. Sex education is taught less. Social segregation, school non-attendance, smoking, and drug use have increased. Teenage abortion rates have gone up, from 17/1000 in 1995 to 22.5/1000 in 2001. Genital chlamydial infections have increased from 14 000 cases in 1994 to 22 263 cases in 2001, 60% occurring among young people, and with the steepest increase among teenagers. Thus, a question of major concern is whether and how adolescent sexual behaviour has shifted towards more risky practices during the late 1990s.
Dynamic signal processing by ribozyme-mediated RNA circuits to control gene expression

Organisms have different circuitries that allow converting signal molecule levels to changes in gene expression. An important challenge in synthetic biology involves the de novo design of RNA modules enabling dynamic signal processing in live cells. This requires a scalable methodology for sensing, transmission, and actuation, which could be assembled into larger signaling networks. Here, we present a biochemical strategy to design RNA-mediated signal transduction cascades able to sense small molecules and small RNAs. We design switchable functional RNA domains by using strand-displacement techniques. We experimentally characterize the molecular mechanism underlying our synthetic RNA signaling cascades, show the ability to regulate gene expression with transduced RNA signals, and describe the signal processing response of our systems to periodic forcing in single live cells. The engineered systems integrate RNA-RNA interaction with available ribozyme and aptamer elements, providing new ways to engineer arbitrary complex gene circuits.
Performance OpenGL: platform independent techniques or

The OpenGL Application Programming Interface (API) is the most widely supported, cross-platform computer-graphics interface available to programmers today. Such broad support of OpenGL across different graphics hardware presents challenges in maximizing performance while still maintaining portability. This course focuses on teaching tools and techniques for the analysis and development of high-performance interactive graphics-applications.The course begins with an introduction to the stages of the OpenGL rendering pipeline, and the performance-limiting bottlenecks that can affect each stage of the pipeline. Simple, yet effective, techniques for determining which stage of the pipeline is limiting are presented.The course continues with a detailed analysis of each stage's operations, and the options that a programmer has control over. The interaction of those options with respect to performance is discussed, with an eye towards highlighting commonalities that aid performance across different platforms is presented along with empirical results to back up our observations.A brief departure into topics relating to object-oriented programming paradigms and how one's coding style can effect OpenGL's operation. Some suggestions for managing data in OpenGL with respect to encapsulation are presented.Continuing, the course introduces the concept of OpenGL's validation phase, and how this hidden operation can rob perfectly legitimate, well-written OpenGL applications of their performance. This discussion culminates with a discussion of state sorting.Finally, simple suggestions that are likely to help the performance of OpenGL applications are presented. These suggestions should be added into the programmer's tool box, providing simple optimizations that do not violate Professor Knuth's old adage of "premature optimization is the root of all evil. "
Design criteria for block copolymer-based metallodielectric photonic materials

Preferential sequestering of surface modified metal/semiconductor nanocrystals within microphase separated block copolymer domains holds the promise for engineering large-scale polymer based photonic materials. In my talk I want to review block copolymers as a material platform for photonic crystal engineering as well as the prospects of metallodielectric photonic materials based on metal nanocrystal/block copolymer composites. The effect of metal nanocrystal additives on the optical properties of the composite is found to be determined by: (1) changes in the optical properties of individual nanocrystals due to the spatial confinement of the free electrons by the crystal boundary and (2) by collective effects resulting from the particle size-dependent morphology of the nanocrystals within the polymer domains. The particle core size, the polymer domain spacing as well as the particle surface chemistry are shown to determine three distinct morphological types in particle/block copolymer composites. A detailed comparison between morphological studies and theoretical predictions will be presented that aim to better understand and control morphologies of structured cluster matter in order to tailor optical and mechanical properties of new photonic materials.
Researchers exposure to particles in nanomaterial production laboratories

TM (SMPS) were used to quantify real-time size and number concentrations in nanoparticle production laboratories. All sites used the same technology to generate particles of different composition and size, under various production conditions. Spatial and temporal analysis of the particle concentrations and sizes were performed. Characterization of concentrations near the source of emission, i.e., breathing zone, and those at secondary stations were quantified. Additionally, the influence of environmental conditions was investigated.
Denotational semantics of a goal-directed language

Goal-directed evaluation is a very expressive programming language paradigm that is supported in relatively few languages. It is characterized by evaluation of expressions in an attempt to meet some goal, with resumption of previous expressions on failure. This paradigm is found in SNOBL4 in its pattern-matching facilities, and in Icon as a general part of the language. This paper presents a denotational semantics of Icon and shows how Icon is in fact a combination of two distinct paradigms, goal-directed evaluation and functional application. The two paradigms are not supported separately in different contexts, but integrated fully into a single evaluation mechanism.
Euthyroid sick syndrome and inhibitory effect of sera on the activity of thyroid 5'-deiodinase in systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE Our aim was to demonstrate the occurrence of euthyreoid sick syndrome in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Furthermore, the presence of anti-thyroid antibodies and their relationship to thyroid 5'-deiodinase activity was investigated. METHODS The activity of thyroid 5'-deiodinase was measured by 5' outer ring-deiodination using the sera of patients with SSc (n = 21), undifferentiated connective tissue disease (n = 12), and secondary (n = 19) and primary (n = 11) Raynaud's syndrome (RP). Patients with acute cardiovascular events at the time of the study (n = 16) were investigated as controls. RESULTS Low FT3 (FT3 < 2.5 pg/ml) was frequently demonstrated in all the patient groups (9/21, 3/12, 10/19 and 8/11, respectively). The high frequency of a FT3/FT4 ratio < 0.2 representing euthyreoid sick syndrome was also often found in SSc (14 cases) and primary (12 cases) and secondary (6 cases) RP patients. Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody was detected in 17 patients with SSc and in 7, 8 and 3 cases with undifferentiated connective tissue disease, secondary and primary Raynaud's phenomenon, respectively, and in none of the controls. The inhibiting effect of sera on the activity of thyroid 5'-deiodinase was higher in patients with anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies compared to antibody negative cases (P < 0.01). An inverse correlation was shown between the levels of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies and the decreased activity of thyroid 5'-deiodinase (r = -0.6111, P < 0.02) in patients with low FT3. CONCLUSION The low FT3 or FT3/FT4 ratio observed supports the hypothesis that euthyroid sick syndrome is often present in SSc. Anti-thyroid antibody is also frequently detected in SSc and the positive sera inhibit the activity of thyroid 5'-deiodinase, which can contribute to the low FT3 or FT3/FT4 ratio. Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies may play an additive role in the development of low FT3 levels via the inhibiting effect of thyroid 5'-deiodinase. The low FT3 levels may directly influence the already impaired microcirculation in SSc by increasing the systemic vascular resistance.
Fault diagnosis of reciprocating compressors using revelance vector machines with a genetic algorithm based on vibration data

This paper focuses on the development of an advanced fault classifier for monitoring reciprocating compressors (RC) based on vibration signals. Many feature parameters can be used for fault diagnosis, here the classifier is developed based on a relevance vector machine (RVM) which is optimized with genetic algorithms (GA) so determining a more effective subset of the parameters. Both a one-against-one scheme based RVM and a multiclass multi-kernel relevance vector machine (mRVM) have been evaluated to identify a more effective method for implementing the multiclass fault classification for the compressor. The accuracy of both techniques is discussed correspondingly to determine an optimal fault classifier which can correlate with the physical mechanisms underlying the features. The results show that the models perform well, the classification accuracy rate being up to 97% for both algorithms.
Venodilatory effect of vascular endothelial growth factor on rat gingiva.

BACKGROUND Endothelial cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and increased vascular permeability are among the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in various organs. However, the effects of VEGF on gingival hemodynamics, especially on venules, have not been thoroughly investigated. This study investigated the acute circulatory effects of VEGF on rat gingival venules. METHODS Fifty-six anesthetized rats were divided into five study groups; each rat received 10 microl of experimental solution dripped onto the lower interincisal gingiva. The groups included: 1) saline control (after the experiment, gingiva was excised for VEGF receptor 2 [VEGFR2] immunohistochemistry); 2) VEGF (0.1, 1, 10, or 50 microg/ml); 3) VEGF2 receptor antagonist 5-((7-benzyloxyquinazolin-4-yl)amino)-4-fluoro-2-methyl-phenol-hydrochloride (ZM323881; 20 microg/ml); 4) ZM323881 (20 microg/ml) followed by VEGF application (50 microg/ml after 15 minutes); and 5) VEGF (10 microg/ml), these rats were premedicated with nitric oxide (NO) synthase blocker (N(G)-nitro-L-arginine-methyl-ester [L-NAME]; 1 mg/ml in drinking water) for 1 week before the experiment. Changes in gingival superficial venule diameter were measured by vital microscopy prior to and 1, 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes after the administration of the experimental solutions. RESULTS VEGF dose-dependently increased the venular diameter compared to saline. ZM323881 alone did not cause any alteration. Premedication with ZM323881 or L-NAME decreased the dilatory effects of VEGF. VEGFR2 immunohistochemical labeling was observed in the wall of the venules. CONCLUSIONS There is no remarkable VEGF production under physiologic circumstances in rat gingiva, but VEGF is able to increase gingival blood flow through the activation of VEGF2 receptors. Furthermore, NO release may contribute to VEGF's vasodilatory effect.
Self-reported cognitive and emotional effects and lifestyle changes shortly after preventive cardiovascular consultations in general practice

Objective. To describe patients’ evaluation of the contents of preventive cardiovascular consultations and to analyse whether their evaluation is shaped by self-reported cognitive and emotional effects and lifestyle changes two to six weeks after the consultations. Design. Questionnaire developed by means of qualitative studies. Setting.Two counties in Denmark. Subjects. A total of 2450 subjects who had participated in a preventive cardiovascular consultation with their GP received a questionnaire; 1714 responded (70%); 1226 fulfilled the inclusion criteria, namely to be at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) but without having CVD. Main outcome measures. Cognitive and emotional effects and lifestyle changes. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated between self-reported issues raised during the consultations and self-reported lifestyle changes, cognitive and emotional effects. Results. Some 58–79% reported cognitive effects (knowledge about risk and disease), 22–57% lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, and smoking), 80–97% emotional effects related to relief and satisfaction, and 23% worries. Those who reported that a dialogue had taken place (e.g. information concerning risk of disease, life habits, life circumstances/daily living, perception of risk, knowledge about disease, and own possibilities for prevention) had ORs between 1.7 and 4.3 for reporting three or more cognitive effects and one or more lifestyle changes (p < 0.05). These issues were also significantly related to emotional effects such as feeling relieved and satisfied. Conclusion. Patients report cognitive and emotional effects and healthy lifestyle changes following a cardiovascular preventive consultation and the magnitude of the effect is associated with the nature of the issues raised.
History and future of auditory filter models

Auditory filter models have a history of over a hundred years, with explicit bio-mimetic inspiration at many stages along the way. From passive analogue electric delay line models, through digital filter models, active analogue VLSI models, and abstract filter shape models, these filters have both represented and driven the state of progress in auditory research. Today, we are able to represent a wide range of linear and nonlinear aspects of the psychophysics and physiology of hearing with a rather simple and elegant set of circuits or computations that have a clear connection to underlying hydrodynamics and with parameters calibrated to human performance data. A key part of the progress in getting to this stage has been the experimental clarification of the nature of cochlear nonlinearities, and the modelling work to map these experimental results into the domain of circuits and systems. No matter how these models are built into machine-hearing systems, their bio-mimetic roots will remain key to their performance. In this paper we review some of these models, explain their advantages and disadvantages and present possible ways of implementing them. As an example, a continuous-time analogue CMOS implementation of the One Zero Gammatone Filter (OZGF) is presented together with its automatic gain control that models its level-dependent nonlinear behaviour.
Micafungin at Physiological Serum Concentrations Shows Antifungal Activity against Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis Biofilms

ABSTRACT We assessed the in vitro activity of micafungin against preformed Candida biofilms by measuring the concentration of drug causing the most fungal damage and inhibition of regrowth. We studied 37 biofilm-producing Candida spp. strains from blood cultures. We showed that micafungin was active against planktonic and sessile forms of Candida albicans strains and moderately active against Candida parapsilosis sessile cells. Concentrations of micafungin above 2 μg/ml were sufficiently high to inactivate regrowth of Candida sessile cells.
Draft Genome Sequence of Commensalibacter papalotli MX01, a Symbiont Identified from the Guts of Overwintering Monarch Butterflies

ABSTRACT We report the draft genome sequence of Commensalibacter papalotli strain MX01, isolated from the intestines of an overwintering monarch butterfly. The 2,332,652-bp AT-biased genome of C. papalotli MX01 is the smallest genome for a member of the Acetobacteraceae family and provides the first evidence of plasmids in Commensalibacter.
ResiduesCarboxyl-Terminal Serine and Threonine Signaling and Trafficking by Individual -Formyl Peptide Receptor N Regulation of

2 Adaptation, deﬁned as the diminution of receptor signaling in the presence of continued or repeated stimulation, is critical to cellular function. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) undergo multiple adaptive processes, including desensitization and internalization, through phosphorylation of cytoplasmic serine and threonine residues. However, the relative importance of individual and combined serine and threonine residues to these processes is not well understood. We examined this mechanism in the context of the N -formyl peptide receptor (FPR), a well-characterized member of the chemoattractant/chemokine family of GPCRs critical to neutrophil function. To evaluate the contributions of individual and combinatorial serine and threonine residues to internalization, desensitization, and arrestin2 binding, 30 mutant forms of the FPR, expressed in the human promyelocytic U937 cell line, were characterized. We found that residues Ser 328 , Ser 332 , and Ser 338 are individually critical, and indeed sufﬁcient, for internalization, desensitization, and arrestin2 binding, but that the presence of neighboring threonine residues can inhibit these processes. Additionally, we observed no absolute correlation between arrestin binding and either internalization or desensitization, suggesting the existence of arrestin-independent mechanisms for these processes. Our results suggest C-terminal serine and threonine residues of the FPR represent a combinatorial code, capable of both positively and negatively regulating signaling and trafﬁcking. This study is among the ﬁrst detailed analyses of a complex regulatory site in a GPCR, and provides insight into GPCR regulatory mechanisms. The Journal of Immunology, 2006, 176: 5418–5425.
The clinical use of indocyanine green as a near‐infrared fluorescent contrast agent for image‐guided oncologic surgery

Optical imaging using near‐infrared (NIR) fluorescence provides new prospects for general and oncologic surgery. ICG is currently utilised in NIR fluorescence cancer‐related surgery for three indications: sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping, intraoperative identification of solid tumours, and angiography during reconstructive surgery. Therefore, understanding its advantages and limitations is of significant importance. Although non‐targeted and non‐conjugatable, ICG appears to be laying the foundation for more widespread use of NIR fluorescence‐guided surgery. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011; 104:323–332. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Properties of the beampattern of weight- and layout-optimized sparse arrays

Theory for random arrays predicts a mean sidelobe level given by the inverse of the number of elements. In practice, however, the sidelobe level fluctuates much around this mean. In this paper two optimization methods for thinned arrays are given: one is for optimizing the weights of each element, and the other one optimizes both the layout and the weights. The weight optimization algorithm is based on linear programming and minimizes the peak sidelobe level for a given beamwidth. It is used to investigate the conditions for finding thinned arrays with peak sidelobe level at or below the inverse of the number of elements. With optimization of the weights of a randomly thinned array, it is possible to come quite close and even below this value, especially for 1D arrays. Even for 2D sparse arrays a large reduction in peak sidelobe level is achieved. Even better solutions are found when the thinning pattern is optimized also. This requires an algorithm that uses mixed integer linear programming. In this case solutions, with lower peak sidelobe level than the inverse number of elements can be found both in the 1D and the 2D cases.