Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Concave modifications of tooth surfaces of beveloid gears with crossed axes

The mathematical models of the beveloid gear surfaces with different scenarios of combinations of profile concave modification and lead crowning are derived. Four schemes of modifications were proposed for beveloid gears with crossed axes. Tooth contact analysis is developed to study the influences of different schemes of concave modifications on the mesh behaviors including film thickness, transmission errors, contact ratio, root stresses, and contact patterns. Comparison of the contact characteristics of a beveloid gear drive with and without concave modifications is conducted. The results show that all the concave modification schemes can increase the area of contact patterns and decrease the maximum value of contact stresses, while the minimum film thickness can be increased. For the scheme i.e. the pinion with profile crowning modification and gear with profile concave modification, the contact ratio increases firstly then decreases to a relative lower value. Also, the root stresses are increased obviously. For the scheme for pinion without modification and gear with lead concave modification and the scheme for both pinion and gear with lead concave modification, the transmission errors are decreased slightly. The scheme for the pinion with combined crowning modification and gear with combined concave modification shows the largest improvement for the mesh behaviors in terms of the transmission errors and contact patterns where an almost contact condition can be found for the crossed beveloid gear pair.
The feasibility of a home-based moderate-intensity physical activity intervention in obese children and adolescents

Objectives To explore the feasibility of conducting a 10-week home-based physical activity (PA) programme and evaluate the changes in insulin sensitivity (SI) commensurate with the programme in obese young people. Design Open-labelled intervention. Setting Home-based intervention with clinical assessments at a tertiary paediatric hospital. Subjects 18 obese (body mass index (BMI)>International Obesity Task Force age and sex-specific cut-offs) children and adolescents (8–18 years, 11 girls/7 boys) were recruited. 15 participants (nine girls/six boys, mean±SE age 11.8±0.6 years, BMI-SD scores (BMI-SDS) 3.5±0.1, six prepubertal/nine pubertal) completed the intervention. Intervention The programme comprised biweekly home visits over 10 weeks with personalised plans implemented aiming to increase moderate-intensity PA. Pedometers and PA diaries were used as self-monitoring tools. The goals were to (1) teach participants behavioural skills related to adopting and maintaining an active lifestyle and (2) increase daily participation in PA. Outcome measures Mean steps/day were assessed. SI assessed by the frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test and other components of the insulin resistance syndrome were measured. Results Mean steps/day increased significantly from 10 363±927 (baseline) to 13 013±1131 (week 10) (p<0.05). SI was also significantly increased, despite no change in BMI-SDS, and remained so after an additional 10-week follow-up. Conclusions The results suggest that such a home-based PA programme is feasible. SI improved without changes in BMI-SDS. More rigorous evaluations of such programmes are warranted.
SVG-based remote sensing image visualization and processing

Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) is a newly developed format for efficient representation and transfer of vector graphics and raster images on the Internet. There have been a great number of researches conducted on the visualization of vector geospatial data in SVG. However, SVG format also has the advantages in the representation, transfer and processing of raster images. This paper begins with discussing the ways of representing remote sensing (RS) image in SVG and giving a visualization model of RS image according to the tree structure of SVG file and the multi-band characteristics of RS image data. Then experiments of RS image processing in SVG are conducted on a three-layer web platform, including spatial coordinate transformation, spatial enhancement and RS data fusion. The experiment results are given with code and the effects are demonstrated. And the possibility of further exploiting the potentials of SVG in RS image processing is discussed in the conclusion
Materials for Gamma-Ray Spectrometers: Inorganic Scintillators

Scintillation detectors constitute an important branch of radiation detection instrumentation. The discovery of the inorganic scintillating compound thallium-activated sodium iodide (NaI:Tl) in 1948 was key to the production of the first practical gamma-ray spectrometer. Since that time, numerous inorganic scintillators have been discovered and studied. Many of the more successful inorganic scintillators are described, including discussion of their properties and performance, in this article.
Mechanisms of substrate transport‐induced clustering of a glial glutamate transporter GLT‐1 in astroglial–neuronal cultures

Glutamate uptake by the Na+‐dependent glutamate transporter GLT‐1, which is predominantly expressed in astrocytes, is crucial for regulating glutamate concentration at the synaptic cleft and achieving proper excitatory neurotransmission. A body of evidence suggests that GLT‐1 constitutively traffics between the plasma membrane and endosomes via an endocytosis/recycling pathway, and forms a cluster. Here, we report substrate transport via GLT‐1‐induced formation of GLT‐1 cluster accompanied by intracellular trafficking in rat astroglial–neuronal cultures. We constructed a recombinant adenovirus expressing enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP)‐tagged GLT‐1. Adenoviral infection resulted in the expression of functional GLT‐1–EGFP preferentially in astrocytes, partly as clusters. Treatment with glutamate, but not N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate, dramatically increased the number of GLT‐1 clusters within 1 h. The estimated EC50 value of glutamate was 240 μm. In addition, glutamate decreased the cell surface expression and increased the intracellular expression of GLT‐1. The GLT‐1 clusters were found in early and recycling endosomes and partly in lysosomes, and were inhibited by blockade of endocytotic pathways. Ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonists had no effect on glutamate‐induced GLT‐1 clustering. The non‐transportable glutamate uptake inhibitors (2S,3S)‐3‐[3‐[4‐(trifluoromethyl)benzoylamino]benzyloxy]aspartate and dihydrokainate, as well as Na+‐free conditions, prevented the glutamate‐induced GLT‐1 clustering, whereas the competitive substrates, aspartate and L‐trans‐pyrrolidine‐2,4‐dicarboxylate, induced GLT‐1 clustering. Furthermore, the Na+/K+‐ATPase inhibitor, ouabain, and the Na+ ionophores, gramicidin and monensin, produced GLT‐1 clustering. Modulators of intracellular Ca2+signaling or membrane depolarization had no effect on GLT‐1 clustering. Taken together, these results suggest that Na+ influx associated with GLT‐1 substrate transport triggers the formation of GLT‐1 clusters accompanied by intracellular trafficking via endocytotic pathways in astrocytes.
Neuroprotective effects of Tanshinone IIA on permanent focal cerebral ischemia in mice

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether Tanshinone IIA (TSA) was neuroprotective in permanent focal cerebral ischemia and to determine the possible mechanisms of its neuroprotection. Mice were subjected to permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion. The neuroprotection of TSA was investigated with respect to neurological deficit scores and infarct volume. Biochemical analyses for malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in serum, and nitric oxide (NO) content and the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity in brain tissue were performed at 24 h after ischemia. Immunohistochemistry was used to measure the expression of iNOS. In vitro, the effects of TSA were tested in the cultured astrocytes exposed to hydrogen dioxide (H2O2). TSA (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced the infarct volume and improve neurological deficit. TSA also significantly increased the activity of SOD after 24 h of ischemia and decreased the MDA level, NO content, and iNOS expression. In vitro, the translocation of NF‐κB was inhibited by TSA and the survival rate of astrocytes was markedly increased and the NO production was decreased. In conclusion, these results illustrated that TSA protected the brain from ischemic injury by suppressing the oxidative stress and the radical‐mediated inflammatory insult. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nucleic Acids Research

Polypurine DNAs and RNAs containing at least 33% guanine form a stable secondary structure at neutral pH and moderate ionic strengths. The tm's of the polymers increase with increasing guanine content. To eliminate possible structures three novel polymers, d(Gn2A)n, d(Gm6A)n and d(lA)n, as well as the random copolymer r(G.A)n were studied. Both d(Gn2A)n and d(IA)n can form a secondary structure whereas d(Gm6A)n and r(G,A)n cannot. Model building suggested two possible structures, one a duplex and the other a tetra-stranded polymer. The latter is considered to be the more likely, since previous X-ray diffractlon studies have shown that rGn and rIn are tetra-stranded. Circular dichroism spectra are also consistent with such an interpretation.
The Toxicity of Liver Directed Yttrium-90 Microspheres in Primary and Metastatic Liver Tumors

Background: Selective Internal Radiation (SIR) therapy with yttrium-90 microspheres has become an alternative approach to treat hepatic tumors. Methods: A single institution retrospective chart review was performed to assess the safety of SIR microspheres in twenty-one patients with hepatic malignancies. The yttrium-90 radiation dose was dependent upon the percentage of tumor involvement of the liver, with a dose modification (reduction) adjusted for macroaggregated albumin (MAA) shunted to the lung. Results: Twenty-one patients underwent twenty-five treatments with SIR microsphere therapy for primary and metastatic liver tumors. One mortality was secondary to fulminant hepatic failure after developing radiation hepatitis. Morbidities included radiation hepatitis (1) and peptic ulcer disease (6). Conclusions: The application of SIR microspheres has been utilized for a variety of liver tumors. Although it has been a useful treatment option in selected patients, safety still remains an issue.
Automatic Detection of Helmet Uses for Construction Safety

The U.S. construction industry suffers from the highest number of fatalities among all industries, i.e., one in five worker deaths in private industry were in construction. Tremendous loss has occurred to the workers' families, the industry, and the nation. Considering the large and increasing number of construction projects that are being conducted in the U.S., there is a growing necessity of developing innovative methods to automatically monitor the safety for the workers at construction sites. Since the head is the most critical area of a human body and is the most vulnerable to an impact that could cause serious injury or death, the use of a protective helmet in construction work is needed. In this paper, we aim to automatically detect the uses of construction helmets (e.g., whether the construction worker wears the helmet or not) by analyzing the construction surveillance images. Based on the collected images, we first detect the object of interest (i.e., construction worker) and further analyze whether the worker wears the helmet or not, by using computer vision and machine learning techniques. In the first step, we incorporate frequency domain information of the image with a popular human detection algorithm Histogram of Oriented Gradient (HOG) for construction worker detection; in the second step, the combination of color-based and Circle Hough Transform (CHT) feature extraction techniques is applied to detect helmet uses for the construction worker.
Revisiting Role Discovery in Networks: From Node to Edge Roles

Previous work in network analysis has focused on modeling the mixed-memberships of node roles in the graph, but not the roles of edges. We introduce the edge role discovery problem and present a generalizable framework for learning and extracting edge roles from arbitrary graphs automatically. Furthermore, while existing node-centric role models have mainly focused on simple degree and egonet features, this work also explores graphlet features for role discovery. In addition, we also develop an approach for automatically learning and extracting important and useful edge features from an arbitrary graph. The experimental results demonstrate the utility of edge roles for network analysis tasks on a variety of graphs from various problem domains.
Anti-Obesity Effects of Onion Extract in Zucker Diabetic Fatty Rats

Anti-obesity effects of onion extract were determined in obesity and diabetes-prone Zucker diabetic fatty rats by measuring the efficacy of markers concerned with diabetes and obesity. Body and adipose tissue weights in 5% of onion extract-fed group were found to be significantly lower than the control group without onion extract. Fasting blood glucose and HOMA-IR levels were also improved, although the serum insulin and leptin levels did not show any remarkable difference. Serum triglyceride and free fatty acid levels in both the 3% and 5%-fed group were found to be reduced compared to the control group. Additionally the feeding of the onion extract increased the glucose tolerance. These results suggest that dietary onion extract is beneficial for improving diabetes by decreasing lipid levels. We also examined differentiation ability of rat white preadipocyte cells using the onion extract and its sulfur-containing components. Cycloalliin, S-methyl-L-cysteine, S-propyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide, dimethyl trisulfide, especially S-methyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide were reported to be effective in inhibiting formation of oil drop in the cells, suggesting that these compounds may be involved in the anti-obesity effect of the onion extract.
Social predictors of less frequent dental attendance over time among older people: population-averaged and person-specific estimates.

OBJECTIVES Longitudinal studies considering social disparities in the utilization of dental services are scarce. Repeated measures should be accounted for by the use of appropriate statistical methods. The purpose of this study was first to describe the patterns of less frequent dental attendance (less than once a year) over time from the age of 65-70 in Norwegian and Swedish 1942 cohorts. Second, this study estimated the influence of predisposing, enabling and need-related social predictors using marginal model with robust variance estimators and random intercept model, RIM, to account for the clustered structure of the repeated observations. Third, the study aimed to compare the estimates of associations between social predictors and less frequent dental attendance derived from marginal and random intercept models. METHODS In 2007 and 2012, all residents born in 1942 in selected counties of Norway and Sweden were invited to participate in a questionnaire survey. In Norway, the response rate was 58.0% (n = 4211) in 2007 and 54.5% (n = 3733) in 2012 with a follow-up rate of 70%. The corresponding figures in Sweden were 73.1% (n = 6078) and 72.2% (n = 5697), with a follow-up rate of 80%. Marginal and random intercept models were fitted for population-averaged and person-specific estimates. Design effects were calculated by comparing the results from ordinary logistic regression analyses and the marginal model with robust variance estimators. The proportion of the total variation due to differences between persons was reported using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS Less frequent dental attendance declined from 14.5% to 12.2% in Norway and from 13.6% to 12.9% in Sweden. According to marginal and random intercept models, time-invariant (gender, country of birth, education) and time-variant social predictors (working status, social network, marital status, smoking and perceived health) contributed to less frequent dental attendance. A likelihood ratio test confirmed that adjustment for clustered observations was appropriate. The ICC was 0.90 in Norway and 0.85 in Sweden. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of less frequent dental attendance was low and dropped by increasing age from 65 to 70 years. Both at population and at person-specific levels, being advantaged on social aspects protects against less frequent dental attendance after 65 years of age in the Norwegian and Swedish cohorts investigated.
Structure and electrophysical properties of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/magnetite nanocomposites

In the present study, the effect of magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles on the structural and dielectric properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) matrix was investigated. Distribution of Fe3O4 nanoparticles in the polymer matrix has been studied by scanning electron microscopy (JEOL JSM-7600 F). The structure of the nanocomposite samples was investigated by the X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. It was shown that the dielectric permittivity of PVDF + Fe3O4 nanocomposite samples was gradually increased up to 7 wt% of Fe3O4 content. Further increase in the concentration of the filler leads to decrease in the dielectric permittivity. The subsequent decrease in dielectric permittivity at higher Fe3O4 content can be explained by the increase in defects in the structure of the nanocomposite. The comparison of experimental data and the results of theoretical calculations show that the reduction in the empirical value of dielectric permittivity of the nanocomposite is obviously linked with the threshold value of filler. While calculating the theoretical value of the dielectric permittivity for the higher content of the filler, defects in the nanocomposite structure should be considered.
Ethanol lowers glutathione in rat liver and brain and inhibits methionine synthase in a cobalamin-dependent manner.

BACKGROUND Methionine synthase (MS) is a ubiquitous enzyme that requires vitamin B12 (cobalamin) and 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate for the methylation of homocysteine to methionine. Previous studies have shown that acute or chronic ethanol (ETOH) administration results in the inhibition of MS and depletion of glutathione (GSH), and it has been proposed that GSH is required for the synthesis of methylcobalamin (MeCbl). METHODS We measured GSH levels and investigated the ability of different cobalamin cofactors [cyano- (CNCbl), glutathionyl- (GSCbl), hydroxo- (OHCbl), and MeCbl] to support MS activity in liver and brain cortex from control and ETOH-treated rats. RESULTS In control animals, MS activity was higher in liver than in cortex for all cobalamins and MeCbl-based activity was higher than for other cofactors. S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) was required for OHCbl, CNCbl, and GSCbl-based activity, but not for MeCbl. Feeding an ETOH-containing diet for four weeks caused a significant decrease in liver MS activity, in a cobalamin-dependent manner (OHCbl ≥ CNCbl > GSCbl > MeCbl). In brain cortex, OHCbl, CNCbl, and GSCbl-based activity was reduced by ETOH treatment, but MeCbl-based activity was unaffected. GSH levels were reduced by ETOH treatment in both liver and cortex homogenates, and addition of GSH restored OHCbl-based MS activity to control levels. Betaine administration had no significant effect on GSH levels or MS activity in either control or ETOH-fed groups. CONCLUSIONS The ETOH-induced decrease in OHCbl-based MS activity is secondary to decreased GSH levels and a decreased ability to synthesize MeCbl. The ability of MeCbl to completely offset ETOH inhibition in brain cortex, but not liver, suggests tissue-specific differences in the GSH-dependent regulation of MS activity.
ADP-receptor inhibitors in the perioperative period: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

From the Department of Anesthesiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT. Address reprint requests to Adriana Dana Oprea, MD, Department of Anesthesiology, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street TMP 3, PO Box 208051, New Haven, CT 06520-8051. E-mail: adriana.oprea@yale.edu & 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 1053-0770/2601-0001$36.00/0 http://dx.doi. org/10.1053/j.jvca. 2012.11. 014
Probing Xist RNA Structure in Cells Using Targeted Structure-Seq

The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) Xist is a master regulator of X-chromosome inactivation in mammalian cells. Models for how Xist and other lncRNAs function depend on thermodynamically stable secondary and higher-order structures that RNAs can form in the context of a cell. Probing accessible RNA bases can provide data to build models of RNA conformation that provide insight into RNA function, molecular evolution, and modularity. To study the structure of Xist in cells, we built upon recent advances in RNA secondary structure mapping and modeling to develop Targeted Structure-Seq, which combines chemical probing of RNA structure in cells with target-specific massively parallel sequencing. By enriching for signals from the RNA of interest, Targeted Structure-Seq achieves high coverage of the target RNA with relatively few sequencing reads, thus providing a targeted and scalable approach to analyze RNA conformation in cells. We use this approach to probe the full-length Xist lncRNA to develop new models for functional elements within Xist, including the repeat A element in the 5’-end of Xist. This analysis also identified new structural elements in Xist that are evolutionarily conserved, including a new element proximal to the C repeats that is important for Xist function.
Dendritic cell chemotaxis in 3D under defined chemokine gradients reveals differential response to ligands CCL21 and CCL19

Dendritic cell (DC) homing to the lymphatics and positioning within the lymph node is important for adaptive immunity, and is regulated by gradients of CCL19 and CCL21, ligands for CCR7. Despite the importance of DC chemotaxis, it is not well understood how DCs interpret gradients of these chemokines in a complex 3D microenvironment. Here, we use a microfluidic device that allows rapid establishment of stable gradients in 3D matrices to show that DC chemotaxis in 3D can respond to CCR7 ligand gradients as small as 0.4%, which helps explain how DCs sense lymphatic vessels in an environment where broadcast distance for chemokine diffusion is hindered by convective flows into the vessel. Interestingly, DCs displayed similar sensitivities to both chemokines at small gradients (≤ 60 nM/mm), but migrated more efficiently towards higher gradients of CCL21, which unlike CCL19 binds strongly to matrix proteoglycans and signals without the need for internalization. Furthermore, cells preferentially migrated towards CCL21 when exposed to equal and opposite gradients of CCL21 and CCL19 simultaneously, even when matrix-binding of CCL21 was prevented. Although these ligands have similar binding affinity to CCR7, our results demonstrate that, in a 3D environment, CCL21 is a more potent directional cue for DC migration than CCL19. These findings provide new quantitative insight into DC chemotaxis in a physiological 3D environment and suggest how CCL19 and CCL21 may signal differently to fine-tune DC homing and positioning within the lymphatic system. These results also have broad relevance to other systems of cell chemotaxis, which remain poorly understood in the 3D context.