Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Domain information transfer method and its application in quasi-brittle failure analysis

This article presents a domain information transfer method for the purpose of quasi-brittle failure analysis. It contains two separated computational levels. On macroscopic level, the material domains are viewed as elementary substances which construct the whole structure. The macroscopic governing equations are established based on this point of view and the boundary displacements of material domains are defined as basic unknowns. Each damaged material domain will be assigned a mesoscale model and the information transfer mechanism from a mesoscale domain to a macroscale domain is established. The damage localization phenomenon is equivalently represented on macroscopic level by boundary deformation of material domains and the macroscale meshes are invariant during analysis. The information exchange element based on nonlocal quadrature scheme is proposed and the efficient upscaling is realized. The proposed method is an efficient and flexible way for quasi-brittle failure analysis.
HO-1 Upregulation: A Novel Approach in the Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease.

SIGNIFICANCE Heme oxygenase (HO) plays a pivotal role in both vascular and metabolic function and is involved in many physiological and pathophysiological processes in vascular endothelial cells and adipocytes. Recent advances: From the regulation of adipogenesis in adipose tissue to the adaptive response of vascular tissue in the endothelial cells, HO plays a critical role in the ability of the vascular system to respond and adapt to insults in homeostasis. Recent studies show that HO-1 through regulation of adipocyte and adipose tissue functions ultimately aid not only in local, but systemic maintenance of homeostasis. CRITICAL ISSUES Recent advances have revealed the existence of a crosstalk between vascular endothelial cells and adipocytes in adipose tissue. In the pathological state of obesity, this crosstalk contributes to the condition's adverse chronic effects and we propose that specific targeting of the HO-1 gene can restore signaling pathways and improve both vascular and adipose function. FUTURE DIRECTIONS A complete understanding of the role of heme oxygenase 1 in regulation of cardiovascular homeostasis is important to comprehend the homeostatic regulation as well as in cardiovascular disease. Efforts are required to highlight the effects and the ability to target the HO-1 gene in models of obesity with an emphasis on the role of pericardial fat on cardiovascular health.
Thrombospondin-I is a critical modulator in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a progressive liver disease characterized by dysregulated lipid metabolism and chronic inflammation ultimately resulting in fibrosis. Untreated, NAFLD may progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis and death. However, currently there are no FDA approved therapies that treat NAFLD/NASH. Thrombospondin-I (TSP-1) is a large glycoprotein in the extracellular matrix that regulates numerous cellular pathways including transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) activation, angiogenesis, inflammation and cellular adhesion. Increased expression of TSP-1 has been reported in various liver diseases; however, its role in NAFLD/NASH is not well understood. We first examined TSP-1 modulation in hepatic stellate cell activation, a critical initiating step in hepatic fibrosis. Knockdown or inhibition of TSP-1 attenuated HSC activation measured by alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and Collagen I expression. To investigate the impact of TSP-1 modulation in context of NAFLD/NASH, we examined the effect of TSP-1 deficiency in the choline deficient L-amino acid defined high fat diet (CDAHFD) model of NASH in mice by assessing total body and liver weight, serum liver enzyme levels, serum lipid levels, liver steatosis, liver fibrosis and liver gene expression in wild type (WT) and TSP-1 null mice. CDAHFD fed mice, regardless of genotype, developed phenotypes of NASH, including significant increase in liver weight and liver enzymes, steatosis and fibrosis. However, in comparison to WT, CDAHFD-fed TSP-1 deficient mice were protected against numerous NASH phenotypes. TSP-1 null mice exhibited a decrease in serum lipid levels, inflammation markers and hepatic fibrosis. RNA-seq based transcriptomic profiles from the liver of CDAHFD fed mice determined that both WT and TSP-1 null mice exhibited similar gene expression signatures following CDAHFD, similar to biophysical and histological assessment comparison. Comparison of transcriptomic profiles based on genotype suggested that peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARα) pathway and amino acid metabolism pathways are differentially expressed in TSP-1 null mice. Activation of PPARα pathway was supported by observed decrease in serum lipid levels. Our findings provide important insights into the role of TSP-1 in context of NAFLD/NASH and TSP-1 may be a target of interest to develop anti-fibrotic therapeutics for NAFLD/NASH.
Longitudinal monitoring of KRAS-mutated circulating tumor DNA enables the prediction of prognosis and therapeutic responses in patients with pancreatic cancer

Background Liquid biopsies enable the detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). However, the clinical significance of KRAS-mutated ctDNA for pancreatic cancer has been inconsistent with respect to its prognostic and predictive potential. Methods and findings A total of 422 blood samples were collected from 78 patients undergoing treatments for localized and metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. KRAS mutation in tissues and KRAS ctDNA levels in plasma were determined by RASKET and droplet digital polymerase chain reaction. Longitudinal monitoring of KRAS ctDNA was performed to assess its significance for predicting recurrence and prognosis and for evaluating therapeutic responses to chemotherapy compared with carbohydrate antigen 19–9 (CA19-9). In 67 tumor tissues, discrepancies in point mutations of KRAS were rarely observed among individual patients, implying that one targeted point mutation of KRAS can be determined in tumor tissues prior to longitudinal blood monitoring. One-time blood assessment of KRAS-mutated ctDNA before surgery or chemotherapy was not clearly associated with recurrence and prognosis. Sequential blood monitoring was performed in 39 patients who underwent surgery for potentially resectable tumors. Increased CA19-9 levels were significantly associated with recurrence, but not prognosis (P<0.001, P = 1.0, respectively), whereas emergence of KRAS ctDNA was significantly associated with prognosis (P<0.001) regardless of recurrence. Furthermore, in 39 patients who did not undergo surgery, detection of KRAS ctDNA was a predictive factor for prognosis (P = 0.005). Multivariate analysis revealed that detection of KRAS ctDNA was the only independent prognostic factor regardless of tumor resection (hazard ratios = 54.5 for patients who underwent surgery and 10.1 for patients who did not undergo surgery; P<0.001 for both). Patients without emergence of KRAS ctDNA within 1 year after surgery showed significantly better prognosis irrespective of recurrence (P<0.001). No detection or disappearance of KRAS ctDNA within 6 months of treatment was significantly correlated with therapeutic responses to first-line chemotherapy (P<0.001). Changes in KRAS status provided critical information for the prediction of therapeutic responses. Conclusions Our study showed for the first time that detection of KRAS ctDNA levels within a short period enables the prediction of prognosis and therapeutic responses in patients with pancreatic cancer.
Enhancement in dopamine reduces generous behaviour in women

Generosity is a human behavior common in social contexts. However, humans are not equally generous to everyone alike. Instead, generosity decreases as a function of social distance, an effect called social discounting. Studies show that such social discounting effect depends on diverse factors including personality traits, cultures, stress or hormonal levels. Recently, the importance of the neurotransmitter dopamine in regulating social interactions has been highlighted. However, it remains unclear how exactly dopamine agonist administration modulates generous behavior as a function of social discounting. Here, we investigate the causal effect of dopamine agonist administration on social discounting in a pharmacological intervention study. We employ a randomized, double-blind, within-subject design to investigate the impact of the D2/D3 receptor agonist pramipexole on social discounting by keeping gender constant. We apply hyperbolic social discount model to the data and provide evidence that women under pramipexole become less generous in general, especially towards close others. Our results highlight the crucial role of dopamine in social decision making.
Continuous Wave Sum Frequency Generation and Imaging of Monolayer and Heterobilayer 2D Semiconductors.

We report continuous-wave second harmonic and sum frequency generation from two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers and their heterostructures, with pump irradiances several orders of magnitude lower than conventional pulsed experiments. The high nonlinear efficiency originates from above-gap excitons in the band nesting regions, as revealed by wavelength-dependent second order optical susceptibilities quantified in four common monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides. Using sum frequency excitation spectroscopy and imaging, we identify and distinguish one- and two-photon resonances in both monolayers and heterobilayers. Data for heterostructures reveal responses from constituent layers accompanied with nonlinear signal correlated with interlayer transitions. We demonstrate spatial mapping of heterogeneous interlayer coupling by sum frequency and second harmonic confocal microscopy on heterobilayer MoSe2/WSe2.
Investigation of the Female Athlete Triad in Japanese Elite Wheelchair Basketball Players

Background and objectives: Para-sports have become increasingly competitive, necessitating greater physical activity; secondary disorder prevention is therefore crucial. Among secondary disorders, the female athlete triad (FAT) is defined as low energy availability (EA), menstrual dysfunction, and low bone mineral density (BMD); although studied in able-bodied athletes, reports on female para-athletes are scarce. We retrospectively investigated the FAT in wheelchair basketball players in the Japanese national team. Materials and Methods: Thirteen female wheelchair basketball players (mean age: 28.9 ± 8.1 years) were enrolled. The medical history (underlying diseases, gynecological disorders, and stress fractures), athletic and sport-specific parameters (wheelchair basketball classification, and wheelchair usage conditions), hematological status (hemoglobin, iron, estradiol, progesterone, total P1NP, and TRACP-5b levels), nutritional status (total energy, protein, calcium, and iron intake), body composition (BMD and lean body mass (LBM)), and EA were assessed. Results: Two (15.4%) had pertinent gynecological histories and six (46.2%) had menstrual cycle disorders. Three (23.1%) experienced excessive menstrual flow and nine (69.2%) had menstrual pain. No stress fractures were reported. All laboratory data were within normal limits. Total energy and iron intakes based on age-specific requirements were 99.8% and 59.8%, respectively. Iron and hemoglobin levels correlated with menstrual flow (ρ = −0.63, p = 0.019 and ρ = −0.56, p = 0.046, respectively). The mean total BMD was 109.2%, and the mean EA (41.4 kcal/kg LBM) was lower than recommended levels. The leg BMD in spinal disorders was significantly lower than that in skeletal disorders (p = 0.003). The arm LBM was higher (150.6%) than that of age-matched controls. Conclusion: Among female wheelchair basketball players with FAT, the total BMD was comparable to that of age-matched controls; however, leg BMD in spinal disorders was significantly lower than that in skeletal disorders. Players with heavy menstrual flow had lower hemoglobin and iron levels. Further research is needed on the FAT to optimize health and sports performance among para-athletes.
Length of gestation and birth weight are associated with indices of combined kidney biomarkers in early childhood

Infants born prematurely or with low birth weights are more susceptible to kidney dysfunction throughout their lives. Multiple proteins measured in urine are noninvasive biomarkers of subclinical kidney damage, but few studies have examined the joint effects of multiple biomarkers. We conducted an exploratory study of 103 children in the Programing Research in Obesity, Growth, Environment, and Social Stressors (PROGRESS) longitudinal birth cohort, and measured nine proteins selected a priori in banked spot urine samples collected at ages 4–6. The goal of our study was to explore the combined effects of kidney damage biomarkers previously associated with birth outcomes. To do this, we generated kidney biomarker indices using weighted quantile sum regression and assessed associations with length of gestation or birth weight. A decile increase in each kidney biomarker index was associated with 2-day shorter gestations (β = -2.0, 95% CI: -3.2, -0.9) and 59-gram lower birth weights (β = -58.5, 95% CI: -98.3, -18.7), respectively. Weights highlighting the contributions showed neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) (60%) and osteopontin (19%) contributed most to the index derived for gestational age. NGAL (66%) and beta-2-microglobulin (10%) contributed most to the index derived for birth weight. Joint analyses of multiple kidney biomarkers can provide integrated measures of kidney dysfunction and improved statistical assessments compared to biomarkers assessed individually. Additionally, shorter gestations and lower birth weights may contribute to subclinical kidney damage measurable in childhood.
Prevention of Postoperative Infection Following Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy. Comparison between Single Dose and 2-day Dose Administration of Antibiotic Prophylaxis.

術後感染症の危険の少ない腹腔鏡下胆嚢摘出術 (LC) 242例に対し, 予防投与抗菌薬1回投与 (単回群) と2日間投与 (2日群) の前向き無作為比較試験を施行した. 両群の背景因子では手術時間が2回群において軽度延長していた他は有意差なく, 術後感染発症率も単回群1. 7%, 2日群3. 3%と同等であった. 感染発症部位はすべて1か所の創感染であり, 術野外感染は認められなかった. 術翌日の白血球数, 顆粒球数, CRP値および術後入院期間にも有意差はみられなかった. 摘出胆嚢内胆汁の9. 9%に細菌を認め, 胆嚢内有結石例での陽性率が有意に高かった. しかし, 細菌陽性例と陰性例の間に感染発症率の差は認められず, また検出された菌の約3割は投与された予防薬に耐性を示していた. 以上より, 術後感染の危険の少ないLCにおける予防薬は, 皮切前1 回の投与が妥当と考えられた.
Enhanced electro-catalytic performance of Pd-based hierarchical nanoporous structures fabricated by micropatterning and dealloying of Pd–Ni–P metallic glass

Pd-based catalysts are of significance for their application in direct alcohol fuel cells, due to the superior electro-catalytic performance and CO poisoning resistance. In this work, using Pd32Ni48P20 metallic glassy ribbon as precursor, micro/nano hierarchical nanoporous structure was constructed by the hybrid approach of thermal plastic micropatterning and subsequently electrochemical dealloying at 0.88 V for 120 min in 0.5 M H2SO4 and 0.5 M H3PO4. This hierarchical structure was composed of the periodical micro-rods and nanoporous structure, where the chemical constituent was 80.33 at% Pd, 4.87 at% Ni, 4.96 at% P, and 9.84 at% O. The nanoporous structures showed an enhanced methanol electro-oxidation performance in alkaline medium, owing to their enlarged specific surface area. Compared to single nanoporous structure, the hierarchical nanoporous structure exhibited much better electro-catalysis, mainly attributed to the large surface area and high mass transfer efficiency, indicating a promising perspective for the application in alkaline direct alcohol fuel cells.
Antimicrobial Air Filters Using Natural Sea Salt Particles for Deactivating Airborne Bacterial Particles

We developed an antimicrobial air filter using natural sea salt (NSS) particles. Airborne NSS particles were produced via an aerosol process and were continuously coated onto the surface of an air filter under various deposition times. The filtration efficiency and bactericidal performance of the NSS-coated filter against aerosolized bacterial particles (Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli) were evaluated quantitatively. The filtration efficiency of the tested filter ranged from 95% to 99% depending on the deposition time, and the bactericidal performance demonstrated efficiencies of more than 98% against both tested bacterial bioaerosols when the NSS deposition ratio was more than 500 μg/cm2. The experimental results indicated that the NSS-coated filters have the potential to be used as effective antimicrobial air filters for decreasing environmental exposure to microbial contaminants.
How Health Communication via Tik Tok Makes a Difference: A Content Analysis of Tik Tok Accounts Run by Chinese Provincial Health Committees

During the last two decades, social media has immersed itself into all facets of our personal and professional lives. The healthcare sector is no exception, with public health departments now capitalizing on the benefits that social media offers when delivering healthcare education and communication with citizens. Provincial Health Committees (PHCs) in China have begun to adopt the micro-video sharing platform, Tik Tok, to engage with local residents and communicate health-related information. This study investigates the status quo of official Tik Tok accounts managed by PHCs in mainland China. In total, 31 PHC accounts were analyzed during August 2019, while the top 100 most liked micro-videos were examined using content analysis. Coding included three major aspects: Quantified Impact, Video Content, and Video Form. 45.2% (n = 14) of PHCs had official Tik Tok accounts. A limited number of accounts (n = 2) were yet to upload a micro-video, while most (n = 9) had uploaded their first micro-video during 2019. For the top 100 most liked micro-videos, a sharp difference was observed in terms of number of Likes, Comments and Reposts. Videos containing cartoons or documentary-style content were most frequently watched by citizens. Similarly, content that promoted professional health or provided knowledge of diseases was frequently viewed. Content containing original music, formal mandarin language, subtitles, and which lasted less than 60 s, were most frequently followed. It is considered a missed opportunity that most PHCs struggle to take advantage of the Tik Tok platform, especially given its growing popularity and daily increase in account creation.
Variable Genomic and Metabolomic Responses to Varying Doses of Vitamin D Supplementation

Background/Aim: To assess the impact of vitamin D supplementation on genomic and metabolomic profiles and relate them to the individual's responsiveness to varying doses of vitamin D3. Patients and Methods: Healthy adults were given either 600, 4000 or 10,000 IUs vitamin D3/day for 6 months. Circulating parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], calcium, peripheral white blood cells broad gene expression and urine and serum metabolomic profiles were evaluated. Results: There was a dose-dependent effect of vitamin D supplementation on serum 25(OH)D, PTH and broad gene expression. Serum calcium levels remained normal for all study subjects and no untoward toxicity was observed. The metabolomic profiles were related to the genomic expression analysis. There were significant inter-individual effects on gene expression and metabolomic profile in response to the same dose of vitamin D3 supplementation, despite similar changes in 25(OH)D and PTH concentrations. Conclusion: These results may help explain the variability observed in clinical trials regarding vitamin D's non-calcemic health benefits.
Opportunities for Tailored Support to Implement Smoke-Free Homes: A Qualitative Study among Lower Socioeconomic Status Parents

With the aim of preventing children from being exposed to secondhand smoke, we examined to which level lower socio-economic status (SES) households had implemented home smoking rules and the factors that hampered parents in their process of change toward a complete smoke-free home (SFH). We conducted a qualitative study including semi-structured in-depth interviews with 14 parents of young children living in a lower SES neighborhood of a provincial town in the Netherlands. Interview transcripts were subjected to a qualitative content analysis. Three distinct levels of SFH implementation emerged: complete SFH, flexible SFH, and partial SFH. Differences between parents at these three levels essentially concerned: (1) the role of child-related moral considerations in their motivation for an SFH; (2) whether they felt they had the agency to set and enforce home smoking rules; (3) the difficulties they experienced in changing their smoking habit from smoking indoors to smoking outdoors. Parents also had different opinions about the role their children could play in facilitating the parental process of change. We conclude that the current level of SFH implementation may serve as a starting point for developing tailored interventions. Such interventions should probably address other factors than the commonly used awareness–knowledge–commitment approach.
Oxytocin increases inhibitory synaptic transmission and blocks the development of long-term potentiation in the lateral amygdala.

Oxytocin (OT) is a neuroactive peptide that influences the processing of fearful stimuli in the amygdala. In the central nucleus of the amygdala, the activation of OT-receptors alters neural activity and ultimately suppresses the behavioural response to a fear conditioned stimulus. Receptors for OT are also found in the lateral amygdala (LA), and infusion of OT into the basolateral amygdala complex affects the formation and consolidation of fear memories. Yet, how OT-receptor activation alters neurons and neural networks in the LA is unknown. In this study we used whole-cell electrophysiological recordings to determine how OT-receptor activation changes synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity in the LA of Sprague Dawley rats. Our results demonstrate that OT-receptor activation results in a 200% increase in spontaneous inhibitory transmission in the LA that leads to the activation of presynaptic GABAB-receptors. The activation of these receptors inhibits excitatory transmission in the LA, blocking long-term potentiation of cortical inputs onto LA neurons. Hence, this study provides the first demonstration that OT influences synaptic transmission and plasticity in the LA, revealing a mechanism that could explain how OT regulates the formation and consolidation of conditioned fear memories in the amygdala.