Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Aroma on Product Experience

: To investigate how smell would affect the product experience, the present study chose the aromas of sweet orange and peppermint as the starting point of the product experience of the orange-shaped lego-like toy blocks. It was found that the aroma of sweet orange would lead to the highest degree of liking for the aroma, evoke images or expectations closer to the reality of the toy blocks, and relieve the fatigue of the participants after they directly smelled it. And the aroma of peppermint was found to moderate the tension caused by the blocks-building task and contribute to maintaining participants’ vigor. Notwithstanding, the aromas did not have noticeable effects on people’s degrees of liking for the toy blocks and their evaluations of the product due to the sensory dominance in the multisensory product experience. The potential roles of aromas in product experience remain to be investigated.
Expression and function of KV2-containing channels in human urinary bladder smooth muscle

Hristov KL, Chen M, Afeli SA, Cheng Q, Rovner ES, Petkov GV. Expression and function of KV2-containing channels in human urinary bladder smooth muscle. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 302: C1599 –C1608, 2012. First published March 14, 2012; doi:10.1152/ajpcell.00447. 2011. —The functional role of the voltage-gated K (KV) channels in human detrusor smooth muscle (DSM) is largely unexplored. Here, we provide molecular, electrophysiological, and functional evidence for the expression of KV2.1, KV2.2, and the electrically silent KV9.3 subunits in human DSM. Stromatoxin-1 (ScTx1), a selective inhibitor of KV2.1, KV2.2, and KV4.2 homotetrameric channels and of KV2.1/9.3 heterotetrameric channels, was used to examine the role of these channels in human DSM function. Human DSM tissues were obtained during open bladder surgeries from patients without a history of overactive bladder. Freshly isolated human DSM cells were studied using RT-PCR, immunocytochemistry, live-cell Ca imaging, and the perforated whole cell patch-clamp technique. Isometric DSM tension recordings of human DSM isolated strips were conducted using tissue baths. RT-PCR experiments showed mRNA expression of KV2.1, KV2.2, and KV9.3 (but not KV4.2) channel subunits in human isolated DSM cells. KV2.1 and KV2.2 protein expression was confirmed by Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry. Perforated whole cell patchclamp experiments revealed that ScTx1 (100 nM) inhibited the amplitude of the voltage step-induced KV current in freshly isolated human DSM cells. ScTx1 (100 nM) significantly increased the intracellular Ca level in DSM cells. In human DSM isolated strips, ScTx1 (100 nM) increased the spontaneous phasic contraction amplitude and muscle force, and enhanced the amplitude of the electrical field stimulation-induced contractions within the range of 3.5–30 Hz stimulation frequencies. These findings reveal that ScTx1-sensitive KV2-containing channels are key regulators of human DSM excitability and contractility and may represent new targets for pharmacological or genetic intervention for bladder dysfunction.
Investigation of Wave-Induced ULS and ALS Characteristic Loads and Responses on a Pile Structure in the Ekofisk Area - Importance of Breaking Waves

A set of metocean contour lines corresponding to annual exceedance probabilities of 10 ́2 and 10 ́4 describing the environmental conditions at the Ekofisk area are established based on hindcast data. These are divided into different propagation directions as the total sea is composed of considerable waves from north, south and west. For the sake of measuring extreme responses of a slender pile structure, critical sea states selected from these contour lines are subjected for model testing. Wavetrains designed to break at the exact location of the pile are generated in order to investigate the importance of breaking waves relative to the extreme pile responses. A comprehensive investigation of the experimental setup is performed to ensure reliable model test results. Model tests of critical sea states based on both the JONSWAP wave spectrum and the Donelan wave spectrum are performed for comparable reasons. The Donelan spectrum provides larger crest heights and more severe pile responses than the JONSWAP spectrum for steep sea states. For less steep sea states the opposite trend is seen. Hence, the Donelan spectrum is concluded to be most suitable for steep sea states and the JONSWAP spectrum for less steep sea states in order to obtain the most severe responses. The critical sea states subjected for model testing are found to consist of smaller wave heights than desired partly due to mechanical losses in the wave maker. This may have led to an underprediction of the characteristic pile responses. In order to account for this in a future extension of this experiment, a correction term amplifying the wave maker motion should be introduced. Based on the findings from this model test experiment, breaking waves are considered important for global design of the slender pile structure located south in the North Sea. In addition, tremendous impact forces exerted by plunging breakers may lead to local damage of the pile, which in worst case can harm its overall structural strength.
The Role of Glutathione S-Transferase

This article describes sources and mechanisms of formation of &alpha;,&beta;-unsaturated aldehydes, their reactivity with respect to glutathione and amino-groups, their toxicity based on interaction with sulfhydryl and amino targets in cells, and modulation of gene expression by the aldehydes. Among the many different al dehydes generated durimg lipid peroxidation, 4-hydroxy-2 (E)-nonenal (4-HNE) is one of the major products and has been shown to have a number of adverse biological effects. All previous studies on biologi cal and toxicological effects of 4-HNE have been carried out using its racemate. Therefore , nothing has been known of which enantiomer of the racemate is more toxic, more reactive with biomacromolecules , or more readily detoxified by glutathione S-transferase (GST) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) than the other . This article also describes the first evidence for the marked enantioselectivity by 4-HNE enantiomers in the irreversible inactivation of the glycolytic enzyme, rabbit muscle glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate de hydrogenase, and in their detoxification by rat liver cytosolic GST A4-4 and ADH.
ACCOUNTING FOR BLOOD COMPLEXITY IN HEMODYNAMIC COMPUTATIONS

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is now a well-established technique to get insight about hemodynamics in the cardio-vascular system and blood-carrying medical devices. Huge progresses have been made during the last decade and the number of published papers in the domain has drastically increased. These fast progresses have been made possible thanks to the experience gained since the 80’s in other research fields like aerodynamics, where CFD is being used as a key ingredient of any design and/or research effort. However, blood flows share very specific properties that are not always present in other research fields and which received little attention so far. Notably they deal with a very particular fluid, blood, which has several specific features:  its rheology is extremely complex, including shear-thinning, thixotropic and twophase flow effects [1,2]. Still, the Newtonian assumption is used in most of the studies with the justification that the apparent viscosity reaches a plateau for high strain rates. A few studies account for the shear-thinning behaviour of blood by making for example use of a Carreau-Yasuda type of model. The latter is definitely well suited to represent some non-Newtonian blood analogue fluids often used in in vitro experiments. Its suitability to model real blood is however more than questionable and more complete rheological models accounting for more complex effects are necessary to increase the accuracy of blood flow computations,  blood is a bio-fluid which may be damaged (Hemolysis) if submitted to strong stresses, heat or foreign materials and whose structure may change depending on its recent history. Abnormal blood clotting, called thrombosis, may lead to the obstruction of blood vessels, device failure or embolic stroke. Hemolysis [3] and thrombosis [4] are two manifestations of the living nature of blood. Their mathematical/numerical modelling is the subject of more and more intense research, but predictive models useable in practical computations are still lacking. One major
The Aged Microenvironment Influences Prostate Carcinogenesis PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR:

Poster title: “Expression Profiles of the Aged Prostate Microenvironment Identify Alterations in Transcripts Encoding Extracellular Matrix Proteins: Implications for Prostate Carcinogenesis” Presented at the Translational Research at the Aging and Cancer Interface (AACR) February 20-23, 2007. Expression Profiles of the Aged Prostate Microenvironment Identify Alterations in Transcripts Encoding Extracellular Matrix Proteins: Implications for Prostate Carcinogenesis Daniella Bianchi-Frias and Peter S Nelson. Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Seattle, WA. Background: The greatest single risk fa ctor f or the developm ent of prostate adenocarcinoma is advanced age. Em erging evidence suggests that m olecular alterations in the aged prostate microenvironment mediated by strom al aging and se nescence are k ey factors regulating carcinogenesis and neoplastic progression. However, no functional studi es have been reported that definitiv ely provide mechanistic evidence of cause and effect. To investigate the role of the aged-stroma microenvironment in prostate carcinogenesis, we profiled the m olecular changes in gene exp ression that occur with aging in the normal murine prostate stroma. Methods: We perfor med gene expression profiling us ing RNA isolated from m icro-dissected benign mouse prostate stroma from young (n=5; aged 4 months) and old (n=5; aged 24 months) animals. RNA was amplified and hybridized to a m ouse pros tate-specific cDNA m icroarray. Age-associated differential expression of candidate tr anscripts was conf irmed by quantita tive RT-PCR and immunohistochemitry. Results: Expression profiling dem onstrated clear differences in gene expression between old and young prostate strom a, with 39 genes exhibiting si gnificant transcript abundance levels (p<0.005). Transcripts encoding extracellular matrix components for Type I and Type III collagen (Col1a2, down 4-fold and Col3a1 down 3-fold, respectively) were among the genes most substa ntially alter ed with aging. Quantitative RT-PCR confirmed the lower expression of Col1a2 and Col3a1 in the aged prostate stroma. Interestingly, although immunofluorescence de tection for Type-I and T ype-III collagen did not show substantial differences at th e protein level between young and old prostate ti ssue, it revealed a disorganized collagen matrix in the aged prostate microenvironment when compared to young prostate. Conclusions: Gene expression differences are evident between young and aged prostate stroma. The disorganized collagen matrix and the diminished expression of Col1a2 and Col3a1 in the aged prostate microenvironment m ay have an effect on the stru ctural an d signa ling properties o f the ex tracellular matrix. In turn, a dysfunctional ECM in the aged pr ostate could plausibly f acilitate carcinogenesis and neoplastic progression.
The calcaneus adducts more than the shoe's heel during running

Only a few studies have measured the movement of the calcaneus inside the shoe during running, and those that have done so have focused on the frontal plane of motion. This study's objective was to determine the three-dimensional (3D) movement of the calcaneus inside the shoe during running. A secondary objective was to determine if calcaneus movement differs between neutral and support shoes. Ten participants ran at 3.5 m/s in two shoes: a neutral and a support shoe. Right rearfoot kinematics were measured using reflective markers affixed to the shoe heel counter and to the skin of the rearfoot inside the shoe. 3D segment angle ranges of motion were calculated and compared across the shoe heel and calcaneus conditions, and across the two shoe conditions. The movement of the calcaneus compared to the shoe heel was not different in the frontal plane, but was significantly different in the transverse plane, with the calcaneus adducting by 4° more than the shoe heel. The calcaneus also moved significantly more than the shoe in the sagittal plane. Results were similar across the shoe conditions except in the frontal plane where less rearfoot eversion was measured in the support compared to the neutral shoe. The results from this study highlight an opportunity for the development of footwear technologies that can guide calcaneal adduction. Additionally, markers on the shoe heel counter may be appropriate for measuring motion of the foot inside the shoe in the frontal plane, but not the transverse plane.
Research on tomato seed vigor based on X-ray digital image

Seed size, interior abnormal and damage of the tomato seeds will affect the germination. The purpose of this paper was to study the relationship between the internal morphology, seed size and seed germination of tomato. The preprocessing algorithm of X-ray image of tomato seeds was studied, and the internal structure characteristics of tomato seeds were extracted by image processing algorithm. By developing the image processing software, the cavity area between embryo and endosperm and the whole seed zone were determined. According to the difference of area of embryo and endosperm and Internal structural condition, seeds were divided into six categories, Respectively for three kinds of tomato seed germination test, the relationship between seed vigor and seed size , internal free cavity was explored through germination experiment. Through seedling evaluation test found that X-ray image analysis provide a perfect view of the inside part of the seed and seed morphology research methods. The larger the area of the endosperm and the embryo, the greater the probability of healthy seedlings sprout from the same size seeds. Mechanical damage adversely effects on seed germination, deterioration of tissue prone to produce week seedlings and abnormal seedlings.
THE DARWINIAN PARADIGM OF TUMOR PROGRESSION

Research over the past three decades has provided a solid foundation for comprehending the genetic basis of tumor formation and progression. As a consequence, we now understand that the requirement for accumulated genetic lesions underlies the progressive development of adult cancers, many of which arise over a span of decades. This multifactorial genetic requirement is reflected in the extensive genomic instability of cancer cells. Indeed, dysregulation of the cellular apparatus that ensures genomic integrity appears to be one common mechanism by which premalignant clones acquire the multiple lesions that are necessary to attain high-grade malignancy (Lengauer et al. 1997; Shih et al. 2001; Goel et al. 2003; Grady 2004; Hiyama et al. 2004). A second mechanism by which cancer cells acquire multiple genomic lesions depends on repeated cycles of mutation and clonal selection, resulting in the sequential fixation of mutations in the bulk tumor cell population. According to this Darwinian model, tumors evolve toward greater malignancy over time as a result of the expansion of individual cell clones that have sustained novel genetic lesions conferring a selective advantage within the primary tumor microenvironment (Wolman 1983, 1986; Mertens et al. 1991; Chung et al. 1996; Mora et al. 2001). The functional contribution of specific genetic lesions to cancer pathogenesis has been established, in many cases, by associating their presence with particular cancer phenotypes using in vitro and in vivo tumor models. This Darwinian paradigm provides a compelling rationale for the presence of many of the genetic lesions commonly observed in human tumors. Examples of the selective advantage that specific lesions provide include Bcl-2 overexpression (Ehlert and Kubbutat 2001; Kirkin et al. 2004) and p53 function loss (Sidransky et al. 1992; Li et al. 1998; Ehlert and Kubbutat 2001), which confer resistance to apoptosis; pRb loss, which confers resistance to growth-inhibitory signals (Sage et al. 2000); and gain-of-function mutations of Ras proteins (Schleger et al. 2000; Bounacer et al. 2004), which confer the ability to proliferate in the absence of normally required mitogenic signals. The development of distant metastases is the final step in the progression of many adult malignancies. Given its success in explaining the earlier steps of tumor progression, the Darwinian model has naturally been extended by some to encompass the ultimate phenotypes of cancer cell invasiveness and metastasis. In truth, however, the molecular mechanisms of metastasis remain poorly understood, and the experimental basis for such an extension is essentially nonexistent. Indeed, several conceptual problems and, more recently, experimental observations plague the Darwinian paradigm as it relates to the acquisition of metastatic competence.
A Biography of Russell A. Johnson and Differential Equations, Topological Methods

Russell A. Johnson was born in Fairmont, Minnesota on January 27, 1947. He obtained his B.S. degree in Mathematics from the University of Minnesota, Magna cum Laude, in 1969, and his Ph.D. degree in Mathematics from the University of Minnesota in 1975. His early academic career consisted of assistant professorships: one year at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and 5 years in the Department of Mathematics, University of Southern California (USC). In 1981 he was promoted at USC, first to the rank of associate professor and then to a full professorship in 1988. At USC he served as the Vice-Director of Applied Mathematics (1986–1988) and as the Director of Graduate Programs in Mathematics (1988–1989). In 1991 he accepted a position of full professor at Universitá di Firenze in the Dipartimento di Sistemi e Informatica, which is his current academic home. While at Firenze, he also served as the Director of the Department (1995–1997). He has had visiting positions at the University of Minnesota (1980 and 1989–1990) and the Universität Heidelberg (1983–1985). He has delivered numerous invited lectures at professional conferences and at universities/institutes worldwide. For example, he was a main lecturer at the C.I. M.E. School held in Cetraro, Italy in 2000, the DANCE Winter School held in Granada, Spain in 2007, and he has presented several mini-courses at Peking University (1990), University of Valladolid (2005), and East China Normal University (2010). In 2007 he was honored on his 60th birthday when the University of Valladolid in Spain hosted there an International Conference on Dynamical Methods and Mathematical Modelling. Russell has made extensive services to the international mathematical community. Besides being on numerous professional committees, he is (or has been) a member of the editorial boards of the Journal of Dynamics and Differential Equations, Topological Methods in Nonlinear Analysis, Annali di Matematica Pura ed Applicata and six other professional journals. He has organized more than twenty international conferences, workshops, and
The Journal of Toxicological Sciences

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disrupting chemical used on a wide range in industry. This compound has been used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. For this reason and their global use, BPA is one of the most common environmental chemicals to which humans are exposed. This exposure can cause several adverse health outcomes, including at the cardiovascular level. The regulation of ion channels in vascular smooth muscle is pivotal and important for vasoreactivity, and changes in their flux can be involved in the pathophysiology of some cardiovascular diseases. This study aims to analyse in rat aorta whether the vasorelaxant effect of BPA is mediated by L-type Ca2+ channels inhibition. Using male Wistar rat aorta artery rings in the organ bath we analysed the contractility, and to study the activity of calcium current in A7r5 cells we used the whole cell configuration of Patch Clamp technique. Regarding the contractility experiences we observed that in both NA and KCl contraction, BPA caused a rapid and concentration-dependent relaxation. The electrophysiology experiments showed that BPA inhibited the basal and BAY K8644-stimulated whole-cell L-type Ca2+ channel (W-CLTCC) currents, indicating that this drug blocks the L-type Ca2+ channels. Our results suggest that BPA inhibits the W-CLTCC, leading to the relaxation of vascular smooth muscle.
Struggling with involuntary childlessness on Instagram

In their efforts to find others who share their experiential reality and existential struggle, many involuntarily childless women turn to Instagram to engage and participate in the practice of trying-to-conceive (TTC) communication. Through the conceptual lens of digital existence, where the digital and online are regarded as constitutive of existential transition, we draw on ten interviews and an online ethnography to explore some of the struggles that involuntarily childless women experience with and through technology. We find that TTC communication can be constitutive of coming to terms with the status of involuntary childlessness. In particular, this study illustrates that TTC communication, for involuntarily childless women, is both a site of struggle and a safe space as they transition to nonmotherhood in an existential terrain where they share an intimate journey.
Integrating Reflection into Engineering Education

Dr. Jim Borgford-Parnell is Associate Director and Instructional Consultant at the Center for Engineering Learning & Teaching at the University of Washington. He taught design, education-research methods, and adult and higher education theory and pedagogy courses for over 30 years. He has been involved in instructional development for 18 years, and currently does both research and instructional development in engineering education. Jim has taught courses on the development of reflective teaching practices, and has presented workshops on learning how to learn and developing metacognitive awareness.
The Prevalence of Depression in Chinese University Students and their Parents; Amidst COVID-19 Crisis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Depression among university and college students is on the rise across the globe. It is speculated that the present economic shockwaves due to COVID-19 might have increased the prevalence of depression in university students as well as in their parents. The present cross-sectional study provided comprehensive evidence on the prevalence of depression in parents of Chinese university students as well as in the latter amidst COVID-19. The evidence suggests that the prevalence of parental depression in China could be as high as 47.15% [10]. Also the previous studies reported that the prevalence of depression in Chinese university students could range from 25.7% to 31.2% [3]. The present study showed that the prevalence of depression in parents of Chinese university students and the students themselves were 18.9% and 33.1%, respectively. Therefore, since the previous studies showed that the depression in Chinese parents is high as 47.15% [10], which indicates that the COVID-19 crisis might not have increased the incidences of depression in Chinese parents. But as the prevalence of depression in Chinese University students reported in this study was marginally higher compared to previous studies it could be inferred that the COVID-19 crisis might have increased depression in Chinese university students by 2%.