Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Three dimensional modelling of temperature distribution during belt finishing

This study focuses on the belt finishing process to understand the effect of the local geometry of each abrasive grain via the curvature radius and the attack angle on the local contact temperature. In order to reach this last parameter, a three–dimensional numerical model is established and presented in order to determine the temperature distribution at the interface abrasive papers/workpiece. The established model considers that the local geometry of each abrasive grain is conical with a hemispherical tip. The numerical results show that at a small depth of penetration, both sphere and cone have an influence on temperatures distribution. For larger depths, this distribution depends only on the conical geometry of the abrasive grains. It is also shown that the effect of the interaction of asperities on the temperature during belt finishing cannot be neglected, especially at higher load.
ABCC5, a Gene That Influences the Anterior Chamber Depth, Is Associated with Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma

Anterior chamber depth (ACD) is a key anatomical risk factor for primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG). We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on ACD to discover novel genes for PACG on a total of 5,308 population-based individuals of Asian descent. Genome-wide significant association was observed at a sequence variant within ABCC5 (rs1401999; per-allele effect size = −0.045 mm, P = 8.17×10−9). This locus was associated with an increase in risk of PACG in a separate case-control study of 4,276 PACG cases and 18,801 controls (per-allele OR = 1.13 [95% CI: 1.06–1.22], P = 0.00046). The association was strengthened when a sub-group of controls with open angles were included in the analysis (per-allele OR = 1.30, P = 7.45×10−9; 3,458 cases vs. 3,831 controls). Our findings suggest that the increase in PACG risk could in part be mediated by genetic sequence variants influencing anterior chamber dimensions.
A novel in vitro and in situ immunoassay biosensor based on fiber optic Fabry-Perot interferometry

This paper proposes a novel fiber optic immunoassay biosensor based on the Fabry-Perot (F-P) interferometry. The PDMS dip coating and self-assembly monolayers coating are employed to prepare the fiber probes in the formation of F-P cavity and modification of the tip surface respectively. As the fiber probe inserting into the target solution, the immunoreaction will be introduced on the fiber tip. The covalent binding of the Rabbit IgG and Anti Rabbit IgG-Cy3 molecules on the fiber tip will contribute to the variation of the refractive index of interface as well as the reflectance. The interference spectrum will be shifted due to the reflectance variation. The time response is also implemented by taking the in-situ measurement of spectrum valley shift and the signal will reach the steady state within 15 minutes. Finally, the sensitivity of this immunoassay biosensor has also been demonstrated that the lowest detectable concentration of the target sample Anti Rabbit IgG-Cy3 is 10-12 g/ml, which is lower than the detection limit of ELISA of 5*10-11 g/ml. This fiber optic immunoassay biosensor will be applied in the brain resarch for in-vivo and in-situ monitoring the biochemical reactions of the neurocytes.
Group B Streptococcus and Streptococcus suis Capsular Polysaccharides Induce Chemokine Production by Dendritic Cells via Toll-Like Receptor 2- and MyD88-Dependent and -Independent Pathways

ABSTRACT Streptococcus agalactiae (also known as group B Streptococcus [GBS]) and Streptococcus suis are encapsulated streptococci causing severe septicemia and meningitis. Bacterial capsular polysaccharides (CPSs) are poorly immunogenic, but anti-CPS antibodies are essential to the host defense against encapsulated bacteria. The mechanisms underlying anti-CPS antibody responses are not fully elucidated, but the biochemistry of CPSs, particularly the presence of sialic acid, may have an immunosuppressive effect. We investigated the ability of highly purified S. suis and GBS native (sialylated) CPSs to activate dendritic cells (DCs), which are crucial actors in the initiation of humoral immunity. The influence of CPS biochemistry was studied using CPSs extracted from different serotypes within these two streptococcal species, as well as desialylated CPSs. No interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-12p70, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), or IL-10 production was observed in S. suis or GBS CPS-stimulated DCs. Moreover, these CPSs exerted immunosuppressive effects on DC activation, as a diminution of gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-induced B cell-activating factor of the tumor necrosis factor family (BAFF) expression was observed in CPS-pretreated cells. However, S. suis and GBS CPSs induced significant production of CCL3, via partially Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)- and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)-dependent pathways, and CCL2, via TLR-independent mechanisms. No major influence of CPS biochemistry was observed on the capacity to induce chemokine production by DCs, indicating that DCs respond to these CPSs in a patterned way rather than a structure-dedicated manner.
Asset Efficiency and Reallocation Decisions of Bankrupt Firms

This paper investigates whether Chapter 11 bankruptcy provides a mechanism by which insolvent firms are efficiently reorganized and the assets of unproductive firms are effectively redeployed. We argue that incentives to reorganize depend on the level of demand and industry conditions. Using plant-level data, we find that Chapter 11 status is much less important than industry conditions in explaining the productivity, asset sales, and closure conditions of Chapter 11 bankrupt firms. This suggests that firms that elect to enter into Chapter 11 incur few real economic costs. Copyright The American Finance Association 1998.
Microtubule-targeting drugs rescue axonal swellings in cortical neurons from spastin knockout mice

SUMMARY Mutations in SPG4, encoding the microtubule-severing protein spastin, are responsible for the most frequent form of hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), a heterogeneous group of genetic diseases characterized by degeneration of the corticospinal tracts. We previously reported that mice harboring a deletion in Spg4, generating a premature stop codon, develop progressive axonal degeneration characterized by focal axonal swellings associated with impaired axonal transport. To further characterize the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying this mutant phenotype, we have assessed microtubule dynamics and axonal transport in primary cultures of cortical neurons from spastin-mutant mice. We show an early and marked impairment of microtubule dynamics all along the axons of spastin-deficient cortical neurons, which is likely to be responsible for the occurrence of axonal swellings and cargo stalling. Our analysis also reveals that a modulation of microtubule dynamics by microtubule-targeting drugs rescues the mutant phenotype of cortical neurons. Together, these results contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of SPG4-linked HSP and ascertain the influence of microtubule-targeted drugs on the early axonal phenotype in a mouse model of the disease.
Prediction of Malignant Middle Cerebral Artery Infarction by Early Perfusion- and Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Background and Purpose— We tested the hypothesis that early diffusion- and perfusion-weighted MRI (DWI and PWI, respectively) allows the prediction of malignant middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction (MMI). Methods— Thirty-seven patients with acute MCA infarction and proximal vessel occlusion (carotid-T, MCA main stem) were studied by DWI, PWI, and MR angiography within 6 hours of symptom onset. Eleven patients developed MMI, defined by decline of consciousness and radiological signs of space-occupying brain edema. Lesion volumes were retrospectively defined as apparent diffusion coefficient <80% (ADC<80%) and time to peak >+4 seconds (TTP>+4s) compared with the unaffected hemisphere. ADC decrease within the infarct core (ADCcore) and relative ADC within the ADC<80% lesion (rADClesion) were measured. Neurological deficit at admission was assessed with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Results— Patients with MMI showed larger ADC<80% (median, 157 versus 22 mL; P <0.001) and TTP>+4s (208 versus 125 mL; P <0.001) lesion volumes, smaller TTP/ADC mismatch ratio (1.5 versus 5.5; P <0.001), lower ADCcore values (290 versus 411 mm2/s; P <0.001), lower rADClesion (0.60 versus 0.66; P =0.001), higher frequency of carotid-T occlusion (64% versus 15%; P =0.006), and higher NIHSS score at admission (20 versus 15; P =0.001). Predictors of MMI were as follows for sensitivity and specificity, respectively: ADC<80% >82 mL, 87%, 91%; TTP>+4s >162 mL, 83%, 75%; TTP/ADC mismatch ratio <2.4, 80%, 79%; ADCcore <300 mm2/s, 83%, 85%; rADClesion <0.62, 79%, 74%; and NIHSS score at admission ≥19, 96%, 72%. Conclusions— Quantitative analysis of early DWI and PWI parameters allows the prediction of MMI and can help in the selection of patients for aggressive tissue-protective therapy.
Anatomic validation of spatial normalization methods for PET.

UNLABELLED Spatial normalization methods, which are indispensable for intersubject analysis in current PET studies, have been improved in many aspects. These methods have not necessarily been evaluated as anatomic normalization methods because PET images are functional images. However, in view of the close relation between brain function and morphology, it is very intriguing how precisely normalized brains coincide with each other. In this report, the anatomic precision of spatial normalization is validated with three different methods. METHODS Four PET centers in Japan participated in this study. In each center, six normal subjects were recruited for both H2(15)O-PET and high-resolution MRI studies. Variations in the location of the anterior commissure (AC) and size and contours of the brain and the courses of major sulci were measured in spatially normalized MR images for each method. Spatial normalization was performed as follows. (a) Linear: The AC-posterior commissure and midsagittal plane were identified on MRI and the size of the brain was adjusted to the Talairach space in each axis using linear parameters. (b) Human brain atlas (HBA): Atlas structures were manually adjusted to MRI to determine linear and nonlinear transformation parameters and then MRI was transformed with the inverse of these parameters. (c) Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) 95: PET images were transformed into the template PET image with linear and nonlinear parameters in a least-squares manner. Then, coregistered MR images were transformed with the same parameters used for the PET transformation. RESULTS The AC was well registered in all methods. The size of the brain normalized with SPM95 varied to a greater extent than with other approaches. Larger variance in contours was observed with the linear method. Only SPM95 showed significant superiority to the linear method when the courses of major sulci were compared. CONCLUSION The results of this study indicate that SPM95 is as effective a spatial normalization as HBA, although it does not use anatomic images. Large variance in structures other than the AC and size of the brain in the linear method suggests the necessity of nonlinear transformations for effective spatial normalization. Operator dependency of HBA also must be considered.
Claudin-2 Knockout by TALEN-Mediated Gene Targeting in MDCK Cells: Claudin-2 Independently Determines the Leaky Property of Tight Junctions in MDCK Cells

Tight junctions (TJs) regulate the movements of substances through the paracellular pathway, and claudins are major determinants of TJ permeability. Claudin-2 forms high conductive cation pores in TJs. The suppression of claudin-2 expression by RNA interference in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) II cells (a low-resistance strain of MDCK cells) was shown to induce a three-fold increase in transepithelial electrical resistance (TER), which, however, was still lower than in high-resistance strains of MDCK cells. Because RNA interference-mediated knockdown is not complete and only reduces gene function, we considered the possibility that the remaining claudin-2 expression in the knockdown study caused the lower TER in claudin-2 knockdown cells. Therefore, we investigated the effects of claudin-2 knockout in MDCK II cells by establishing claudin-2 knockout clones using transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), a recently developed genome editing method for gene knockout. Surprisingly, claudin-2 knockout increased TER by more than 50-fold in MDCK II cells, and TER values in these cells (3000–4000 Ω·cm2) were comparable to those in the high-resistance strains of MDCK cells. Claudin-2 re-expression restored the TER of claudin-2 knockout cells dependent upon claudin-2 protein levels. In addition, we investigated the localization of claudin-1, -2, -3, -4, and -7 at TJs between control MDCK cells and their respective knockout cells using their TALENs. Claudin-2 and -7 were less efficiently localized at TJs between control and their knockout cells. Our results indicate that claudin-2 independently determines the ‘leaky’ property of TJs in MDCK II cells and suggest the importance of knockout analysis in cultured cells.
Aggregation of Lipid-Anchored Full-Length H-Ras in Lipid Bilayers: Simulations with the MARTINI Force Field

Lipid-anchored Ras oncoproteins assemble into transient, nano-sized substructures on the plasma membrane. These substructures, called nanoclusters, were proposed to be crucial for high-fidelity signal transmission in cells. However, the molecular basis of Ras nanoclustering is poorly understood. In this work, we used coarse-grained (CG) molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the molecular mechanism by which full-length H-ras proteins form nanoclusters in a model membrane. We chose two different conformations of H-ras that were proposed to represent the active and inactive state of the protein, and a domain-forming model bilayer made up of di16:0-PC (DPPC), di18:2-PC (DLiPC) and cholesterol. We found that, irrespective of the initial conformation, Ras molecules assembled into a single large aggregate. However, the two binding modes, which are characterized by the different orientation of the G-domain with respect to the membrane, differ in dynamics and organization during and after aggregation. Some of these differences involve regions of Ras that are important for effector/modulator binding, which may partly explain observed differences in the ability of active and inactive H-ras nanoclusters to recruit effectors. The simulations also revealed some limitations in the CG force field to study protein assembly in solution, which we discuss in the context of proposed potential avenues of improvement.
Identification and Characterization of a Psychrotolerant Acidithiobacillus Strain from Chilean Altiplano

Mesophilic iron and sulfur-oxidizing acidophiles are commonly used for the extraction of base metals from low-grade sulfide ores in some copper Chilean mines. However, relatively little is known about their activities in cold environments. Some natural ecosystems present in the Andes Mountains, such as the Chilean Altiplano, meet environmental conditions for the growth of psychrotolerant leaching microorganisms. In this work, we obtained enrichment cultures of iron- and sulfur-oxidizing microorganisms from an acid river in the Chilean Altiplano. Molecular identification was performed using PCR products of bacterial 16S rRNA clone libraries, and the sequences analysis revealed the presence of a microorganism related to the recently described psychrotolerant Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans. The Acidithiobacillus strain was able to grow at temperatures ranging between 4 and 30°C, and pH values ranged between 1.7 and 2.5. According to the energy sources, this microorganism was able to grow using ferric iron, sulfur, thiosulfate and tetrathionate. Optimal growth was observed in presence of ferric ion, where the culture reached a potential redox value of 600 mV and a cellular number of 3×107 cells/mL. Molecular analysis of variants of gene encoding for rusticyanin showed that rusB gene was amplified from A. ferrivorans strain and no PCR product was obtained for the rusA gene. Our description is consistent with data previously reported for A. ferrivorans strains. Finally, results of this study highlight the importance and potential of novel native bacterial species proficient in mineral oxidation under low-temperature conditions.
Wnt-5/pipetail functions in vertebrate axis formation as a negative regulator of Wnt/β-catenin activity

We provide genetic evidence defining a role for noncanonical Wnt function in vertebrate axis formation. In zebrafish, misexpression of Wnt-4, -5, and -11 stimulates calcium (Ca2+) release, defining the Wnt/Ca2+ class. We describe genetic interaction between two Wnt/Ca2+ members, Wnt-5 (pipetail) and Wnt-11 (silberblick), and a reduction of Ca2+ release in Wnt-5/pipetail. Embryos genetically depleted of both maternal and zygotic Wnt-5 product exhibit cell movement defects as well as hyperdorsalization and axis-duplication phenotypes. The dorsalized phenotypes result from increased β-catenin accumulation and activation of downstream genes. The Wnt-5 loss-of-function defect is consistent with Ca2+ modulation having an antagonistic interaction with Wnt/β-catenin signaling.
Template attacks using classification algorithms

Template attacks constitute a powerful side-channel attack technique that is shown to be efficient in breaking many secure cryptographic implementations. This type of attack consists of two phases, the profiling of the device (template building) and the template matching phase. Template matching can create a significant overhead in the performance of the attack, due to the large amount of data that needs to be processed for every possible value. On the other hand, machine learning techniques are developed to provide efficient pattern recognition and feature extraction algorithms, mainly used in artificial intelligence. In this work, we combine techniques from machine learning with template attacks, in order to improve the efficiency of template attacks focusing on the template matching phase. More precisely, we compare three classification algorithms on a template data set built during the execution of a regular scalar multiplication algorithm (double-and-add-always) of mbedTLS (formerly PolarSSL). As a result, we are able to retrieve scalar bits with 20 templates per bit.
Skewed X-chromosome inactivation causing diagnostic misinterpretation in congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus

Abstract Objective. To establish the clinical phenotype and genetic background in a family with diabetes insipidus. Material and methods. The subjects were a sister and brother, aged 34 and 27 years, respectively, with a history of polyuria since infancy. Clinical testing confirmed a diagnosis of congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (CNDI) in both. Samples of purified genomic DNA were analysed. Results. The sequence of the entire coding region of the AQP2 gene as well as the AVPR2 gene was determined. Sequence analysis revealed no variations in the AQP2 gene. A missense variation in exon 2 of the AVPR2 gene (g.685G>A), predicting a p.Asp85Asn substitution, was identified in the X-chromosome of the affected male and one allele in the sister and the asymptomatic mother. The p.Asp85Asn variation in AVPR2 is known to cause CNDI, and has previously been described as inducing a partial phenotype treatable with dDAVP. However, in this family dDAVP had no influence on urine osmolality, whereas combination therapy with indomethacin and hydrochlorothiazide increased urine osmolality to 299 mosm/l in the proband. A skewed X-inactivation pattern (93%) occurring in the normal X allele was recognized in the sister. Conclusions. This study demonstrates the effect of skewed X-chromosome inactivation associated with X-linked CNDI. Polydipsia in early childhood could be due to X-linked CNDI despite affecting both genders. The significant heterogeneity in the clinical phenotype in CNDI carries a risk of diagnostic misinterpretation and emphasizes the need for genetic characterization. Treatment combining indomethacin and hydrochlorothiazide results in a marked response on both urine output and urine osmolality.
Stability analysis of fixed-step power control for cellular mobile systems

Power control plays a vital role in the operation of the cellular mobile systems. In the open literature, it has shown that the received signal to interference ratio (SIR) can be manipulated within a desirable range when the path gain is almost constant during a number of consecutive power controls. However, when the short-term fading is considered, whether the existing power control algorithms remain a convergence result is not clear. In this paper, we deal with the same power control issue with short-term fading taken into account. By using a fixed-step power control algorithm and a simple received SIR model, we derive a necessary condition that is required for the system to be stable. Under such a condition, we discuss the effects of power control step size on the variation of target SIR.
Triethylammonium hexa-μ2-acetato-κ12 O:O′-diacetato-κ2 O-aqua-μ3-oxido-triferrate(III) toluene monosolvate

The title compound, (C6H16N)[Fe3(CH3CO2)8O(H2O)]·C7H8, was serendipitously crystallized from a reaction of disilanol with iron(II) acetate. The trinuclear acetatoferrate(III) anion has a triethylammonium cation as the counterion. The three Fe atoms lie on the vertices of a regular triangle and are octahedrally coordinated. The complete coordination of the anion includes shared ligands among the three metal ions: a central tribridging O atom and six bidentate bridging acetyl groups. The six-coordinations of two of the metal ions are completed by a monodentate acetate ligand, whereas that of the third metal ion is completed by a water molecule. The uncoordinated triethylammonium cation is involved in N—H⋯O hydrogen bonding to a singly coordinated acetyl group. The coordinated aqua molecule is involved in bifurcated O—H⋯O hydrogen bonding. C—H⋯O interactions are also observed. The toluene solvent molecule is disordered over two sets of sites in a 0.609 (11):0.391 (11) ratio.
A novel active fire protection approach for structural steel members using NiTi shape memory alloy

A novel active fire protection approach, based on integrating a shape memory alloy, NiTi, with a steel structure, was proposed to satisfy the fire resistance requirements in structural design. To demonstrate the principles of this approach, a simple structure in the form of a simply supported steel beam was used. The internal action of the beam due to a transverse applied load was reduced by utilizing the shape memory effect in the NiTi alloy at rising temperatures. As a result, the net internal action from the load design was kept below the deteriorated load capacity of the beam during the fire scenario for period of time that was longer than that of the original beam without the NiTi alloy. By integrating the NiTi alloy into the beam system, the structure remained stable even though the steel temperature exceeded the critical temperature which may have caused the original beam structure to collapse. Prior to testing the composite NiTi–steel beam under simulated fire conditions, the NiTi alloy specimens were characterized at high temperatures. At 300 °C, the stiffness of the specimens increased by three times and its strength by four times over that at room temperature. The results obtained from the high-temperature characterization highlighted the great potential of the alloy being used in fire engineering applications.