Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the Thermal Comfort Properties and Heat Protection Performance of Cotton/Nylon-Kermel Fabrics

In this research, fire and radiant heat protection and thermal comfort properties of cotton/nylon-Kermel blended woven fabrics, were utilized to predict the thermal comfort and protection limit of this fabric structure based on Woo and Barker developed model. The results showed that the porosity, the air permeability and the thermal resistance increased with Kermel fiber blend ratio. Conversely, the water vapor resistance decreased with increase of Kermel fiber blend ratio up to 40%. The thermal conductivity of blended fabric didn’t change with the increase in Kermel fiber blend ratio up to 40%. Cotton/nylon fabrics, particularly those containing 30% Kermel, exhibited the highest upper thermal comfort limit and also the widest range of fabric metabolic activity level. The Kermel fibers had a significant effect on prevention of fire diffusion and Radiant Protective Performance (RPP) of fabrics. The results of vertical wicking and MMT tests show that adding Kermel fibers up to 10% detracts these thermal comfort properties significantly. The results of this research suggest that blending Kermel fiber with cotton and nylon at a blend ratio of 30% enhances thermal comfort limit and heat protection of blended fabrics. Moreover, cotton/nylon (50/10) blended with 40% Kermel fiber leads to desirable thermal comfort properties.
Experimental investigation on the vibration tuning of a shell with a shape memory alloy ring

This paper presents a new design of a smart ring with motion actuators made of a shape memory alloy (SMA). The mechanical properties of the SMA actuator were investigated at room (25 °C) and high (90 °C) temperatures to better understand its characteristics. The results show that the smart ring with an SMA not only shows good stability and rapid effectiveness in the vibration control of the test shell, but observably eliminates the nonlinear vibration characteristics due to contact and rubbing between the ring and shell during the heating process. The smart ring also shows excellent performance in the isolation of transient vibration resulting from impact or random loads. With regard to impact loads, the response peak value can reduce by 57.4% in most cases, while the value is 38.7% for random excitations. The study shows the feasibility of using the SMA material for potential applications of vibration tuning the casings of aero-engines.
Experimental Research on Mechanical Properties of Basalt Fiber Reinforced Reactive Powder Concrete

This paper investigates the static mechanical properties and flexural impact properties of reactive powder concrete (RPC) reinforced by the basalt fiber through various experimental works. The results indicate that the highest flexural and compressive strength can be obtained when the fiber content is 3kg/m3. Length and diameter of basalt fiber both influence the mechanical properties. The basalt fiber of 25mm long and 18μ in diameter can have an ideal strengthening effect. The static mechanical properties and flexural impact resistance can be improved to a considerable extent.
Bioavailable level and source of cysteine determine protein quality of a commercial enteral product: adequacy of tryptophan but deficiency of cysteine for rats fed an enteral product prepared fresh or stored beyond shelf life.

Young rats were used in bioassays designed to assess the protein quality and tryptophan as well as cystine adequacy of the enteral product TwoCal-HN that was either freshly prepared or had been stored (nonrefrigerated) in a warehouse for 10 mo (i.e., beyond shelf life). Based upon supplementation studies, cystine was observed to be the first-limiting amino acid in both fresh and expired TwoCal-HN, and tryptophan was not second limiting. Protein efficiency ratio (PER) of expired, but not fresh, TwoCal-HN was lower than that of the casein control diet, but with cystine supplementation, PER of the TwoCal-HN products was equal to or greater than the PER of the casein control. With a diet containing 10 g protein/100 g that also contained energy-furnishing ingredients simulating TwoCal-HN, maximal growth enhancement occurred with a supplement of 1 g cystine/kg diet. Both glutathione and N-acetyl-L-cysteine were observed to be equivalent to an isomolar level of L-cystine in stimulating growth. Using a chemically defined amino acid diet that was singly deficient in tryptophan, bioavailability of tryptophan was determined for casein, fresh TwoCal-HN, expired TwoCal-HN and D-tryptophan. Slope-ratio bioefficacy values relative to L-tryptophan (weight gain regressed on supplemental tryptophan intake) indicated that none of the experimental sources of tryptophan had bioavailabilities different from 100%. The results indicated that tryptophan did not deteriorate, as measured analytically or biologically, as a result of storing TwoCal-HN beyond shelf life. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
ANG II AT1 receptors induce depolarization and inward current in rat median preoptic neurons in vitro.

To examine ANG II receptors in rat median preoptic (MnPO) neurons, we used patch-clamp whole cell recordings in a parasagittal brain slice preparation. Lucifer yellow-filled neurons displayed a simple morphology with two to three aspiny dendrites. Bath-applied ANG II (1-2,000 nM for 30 s) induced a response in 37 of 70 cells. In current-clamp recordings, cells displayed a prolonged (10- to 30-min) depolarizing plateau with action potential discharges and an associated reduction in postburst afterhyperpolarization and spike frequency adaptation. In voltage-clamp recordings (holding potential -65 mV), cells displayed tetrodotoxin-resistant inward currents of 7.6 ± 1.9 ( n = 5), 9.9 ± 1.9 ( n = 9), and 9.2 ± 2.2 pA ( n = 6) at 10, 200, and 2,000 nM, respectively. Responses were blockable by pretreatment with losartan (2 μM; n = 6) but not by PD-123177 (20 μM; n = 3). Net ANG II-induced current revealed a 7.8 ± 0.9% reduction in membrane conductance, decreasing but not reversing at hyperpolarized levels. Neurons expressing a strong hyperpolarization-activated, time-independent inward rectification were more likely to respond to ANG II. There was no correlation between the response of a neuron to ANG II and its response to norepinephrine.
Global Multimorbidity Patterns: A Cross-Sectional, Population-Based, Multi-Country Study.

BACKGROUND Population ageing challenges health care systems due to the high prevalence and impact of multimorbidity in older adults. However, little is known about how chronic conditions present in certain multimorbidity patterns, which could have great impact on public health at several levels. The aim of our study was to identify and describe multimorbidity patterns in low-, middle-, and high-income countries. METHODS We analyzed data from the Collaborative Research on Ageing in Europe project (Finland, Poland, and Spain) and the World Health Organization's Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia, and South Africa). These cross-sectional studies obtained data from 41,909 noninstitutionalized adults older than 50 years. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to detect multimorbidity patterns. Additional adjusted binary logistic regressions were performed to identify associations between sociodemographic factors and multimorbidity. RESULTS Overall multimorbidity prevalence was high across countries. Hypertension, cataract, and arthritis were the most prevalent comorbid conditions. Two or three multimorbidity patterns were found per country. Several patterns were identified across several countries: "cardio-respiratory" (angina, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), "metabolic" (diabetes, obesity, and hypertension), and "mental-articular" (arthritis and depression). CONCLUSIONS A high prevalence of multimorbidity occurs in older adults across countries, with low- and middle-income countries gradually approaching the figures of richer countries. Certain multimorbidity patterns are present in several countries, which suggest that common underlying etiopathogenic factors may play a role. Deeper understanding of these patterns may lead to the development of preventive actions to diminish their prevalence and also give rise to new, comprehensive approaches for the management of these co-occurring conditions.
Supplementation of soy protein with branched-chain amino acids alters protein metabolism in healthy elderly and even more in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND It is often suggested that chronic wasting diseases [eg, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)] may benefit from branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) administration via improved protein metabolism. OBJECTIVE The aim was to examine whether adding BCAAs to a soy protein meal would enhance protein anabolism in COPD patients and in healthy elderly persons. DESIGN Eight normal-weight COPD patients and 8 healthy control subjects were examined on 2 test days. Simultaneous continuous intravenous infusion of l-[ring-(2)H(5)]phenylalanine (Phe) and l-[ring-(2)H(2)]tyrosine tracers was done postabsorptively and at 2 h of ingestion of a maltodextrin soy or maltodextrin soy + BCAA protein meal (rate of ingestion: 0.02 g protein.kg body weight(-1). 20 min(-1)) in a crossover design. Together with the meal, oral ingestion of 1-[(13)C]Phe was performed to measure first-pass Phe splanchnic extraction (SPE(Phe)). The endogenous rate of Phe appearance [reflecting whole-body protein breakdown (WbPB)], whole-body protein synthesis (WbPS), and net WbPS (WbPS - WbPB) were calculated. Arterialized venous blood was sampled for amino acid enrichment and concentration analyses. RESULTS Soy feeding induced a reduction in WbPB and an increase in WbPS. BCAA supplementation of soy protein resulted in a significantly higher (P < 0.05) increase in WbPS than did soy protein alone in COPD patients but not in the healthy elderly. BCAA supplementation did not significantly alter the change in WbPB or net WbPS. Furthermore, BCAA supplementation decreased (absolute) SPE(Phe) (P < 0.05) but did not change the percentage Phe hydroxylation in the splanchnic area, which indicates a BCAA-related reduction in splanchnic protein synthesis. CONCLUSION BCAA supplementation to soy protein enhances WbPS in patients with COPD and alters interorgan protein metabolism in favor of the peripheral (muscle) compartment in healthy elderly and even more in COPD patients.
Green and yellow vegetables can maintain body stores of vitamin A in Chinese children.

BACKGROUND Vitamin A activity of plant provitamin A carotenoids is uncertain. OBJECTIVE The objective was to determine whether plant carotenoids can sustain or improve vitamin A nutrition during the fall season in kindergarten children in the Shandong province of China. DESIGN The serum vitamin A concentration of 39% of the children was <1.05 micromol/L and of 61% of the children was > or = 1.05 micromol/L. For 5 d/wk for 10 wk, 22 children were provided approximately 238 g green-yellow vegetables/d and 34 g light-colored vegetables/d. Nineteen children maintained their customary dietary intake, which included 56 g green-yellow vegetables/d and 224 g light-colored vegetables/d. Octadeuterated and tetradeuterated vitamin A were given before and after the interventions, respectively, and their enrichments in the plasma were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Serum retinol and carotenoid concentrations were measured by HPLC. RESULTS Carotenoid nutrition improved after consumption of green-yellow vegetables. Serum concentrations of retinol were sustained in the group fed green-yellow vegetables but decreased in the group fed light-colored vegetables (P < 0.01). The isotope-dilution tests confirmed that total-body vitamin A stores were sustained in the group fed green-yellow vegetables, but decreased 27 micromol (7700 microg retinol) per child, on average, in the group fed light-colored vegetables (P < 0.06). CONCLUSION Green-yellow vegetables can provide adequate vitamin A nutrition in the diet of kindergarten children and protect them from becoming vitamin A deficient during seasons when the provitamin A food source is limited.
Nutritional deficiencies after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity often cannot be prevented by standard multivitamin supplementation.

BACKGROUND Despite the increasing use of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) in the treatment of morbid obesity, data about postoperative nutritional deficiencies and their treatment remain scarce. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a standard multivitamin preparation in the prevention and treatment of nutritional deficiencies in obese patients after RYGBP. DESIGN This was a retrospective study of 2 y of follow-up of obese patients after RYGBP surgery. Between the first and the sixth postoperative months, a standardized multivitamin preparation was prescribed for all patients. Specific requirements for additional substitutive treatments were systematically assessed by a biologic workup at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 mo. RESULTS A total of 137 morbidly obese patients (110 women and 27 men) were included. The mean (+/-SD) age at the time of surgery was 39.9 +/- 10.0 y, and the body mass index (in kg/m(2)) was 46.7 +/- 6.5. Three months after RYGBP, 34% of these patients required at least one specific supplement in addition to the multivitamin preparation. At 6 and 24 mo, this proportion increased to 59% and 98%, respectively. Two years after RYGBP, a mean amount of 2.9 +/- 1.4 specific supplements had been prescribed for each patient, including vitamin B-12, iron, calcium + vitamin D, and folic acid. At that time, the mean monthly cost of the substitutive treatment was $34.83. CONCLUSION Nutritional deficiencies are very common after RYGBP and occur despite supplementation with the standard multivitamin preparation. Therefore, careful postoperative follow-up is indicated to detect and treat those deficiencies.
Nitric oxide: a modulator, but not a mediator, of neurovascular coupling in rat somatosensory cortex.

We investigated the role of nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP in the coupling of neuronal activation to regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in α-chloralose-anesthetized rats. Whisker deflection (60 s) increased rCBF by 18 ± 3%. NO synthase (NOS) inhibition by N ω-nitro-l-arginine (l-NNA; topically) reduced the rCBF response to 9 ± 4% and resting rCBF to 80 ± 8%. NO donors [ S-nitroso- N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP; 50 μM), 3-morpholinosydnonimine (10 μM)] or 8-bromoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic-monophosphate (8-BrcGMP; 100 μM)] restored resting rCBF andl-NNA-induced attenuation of the whisker response in the presence ofl-NNA, whereas the NO-independent vasodilator papaverine (1 mM) had no effect on the whisker response. Basal cGMP levels were decreased to 35% byl-NNA and restored to 65% of control by subsequent SNAP superfusion. Inhibition of neuronal NOS by 7-nitroindazole (7-NI; 40 mg/kg ip) or soluble guanylyl cyclase by 1 H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ; 100 μM) significantly reduced resting rCBF to 86 ± 8 and 92 ± 10% and whisker rCBF response to 7 ± 4 and 12 ± 3%, respectively. ODQ reduced tissue cGMP to 54%. 8-BrcGMP restored the whisker response in the presence of 7-NI or ODQ. We conclude that NO, produced by neuronal NOS, is a modulator in the coupling of neuronal activation and rCBF in rat somatosensory cortex and that this effect is mainly mediated by cGMP.l-NNA-induced vasomotion was significantly reduced during increased neuronal activity and after restoration of basal NO levels, but not after restoration of cGMP.
On the analysis of spatial correlations in multi-constituent specimens using synchrotron microtomography and 3D image analysis

We investigate spatial cross-correlations between two constituents, both belonging to the same microstructure. These investigations are based on two approaches: one via the measurement of the cross-correlation function while the second estimates the probability density function of the distribution of spatial distances between the constituents. The cross-correlation function can be measured using the fast Fourier transform, while the probability density function of the distances is estimated via the Euclidean distance transform [1, 2]. The characteristics are derived from volume images contrasting different material phases obtained by synchrotron microtomography. The use of synchrotron radiation for imaging allows one to work with high resolutions, a low noiselevel and employing different contrast modes besides the absorption contrast (which is sensitive to the local density and atomic number of the constituents) like holotomography (sensitve to the local electron density), fluorescence tomography (showing the chemical species distribution inside the sample), refraction enhanced tomography (reveals inner surfaces and interfaces) or topo-tomography (displays local crystalline lattice quality) [3]. Ideal conditions to apply subsequently a 3d image analysis. As an example application we consider pore formation in metallic foams which are produced using the powdermetallurgical route: an alloy (e. g. AW-6061) to be foamed in powder form is mixed with a blowing agent (e. g. TiH 2) and then compacted in order to create a solid pre-cursor material. The pre-cursor is heated in a furnace. In an ideal case at the same point where the alloy transforms from solid into a mushy state the blowing agent starts to release gas which forms the pores. Quenching of the sample at the desired expansion state conserves the pore structure, resulting in a metallic foam with high specific stiffness, low density and weight but with very good energy absorbing and damping qualities. Knowledge about the pore nucleation in early foaming stages is important to control the foam production process [4]. For this example we discuss the spatial cross-correlation between the pore space and the blowing agent particles in detail. The application of both approaches shows a re-organisation of the spatial correlation between pores and the blowing agent’s particles during the early foaming process [1].
Alterations in AMP deaminase activity and kinetics in skeletal muscle of creatine kinase-deficient mice.

Alterations in the competency of the creatine kinase system elicit numerous structural and metabolic compensations, including changes in purine nucleotide metabolism. We evaluated molecular and kinetic changes in AMP deaminase from skeletal muscles of mice deficient in either cytosolic creatine kinase alone (M-CK-/-) or also deficient in mitochondrial creatine kinase (CK-/-) compared with wild type. We found that predominantly fast-twitch muscle, but not slow-twitch muscle, from both M-CK-/- and CK-/- mice had much lower AMP deaminase; the quantity of AMP deaminase detected by Western blot was correspondingly lower, whereas AMP deaminase-1 ( AMPD1) gene expression was unchanged. Kinetic analysis of AMP deaminase from mixed muscle revealed negative cooperativity that was significantly greater in creatine kinase deficiencies. Treatment of AMP deaminase with acid phosphatase abolished negative cooperative behavior, indicating that a phosphorylation-dephosphorylation cycle may be important in the regulation of AMP deaminase.
Effect of dietary alpha-linolenic acid on thrombotic risk factors in vegetarian men.

BACKGROUND Vegetarians have lower platelet and plasma concentrations of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) than do omnivores. We recently showed that male vegetarians have higher platelet aggregability than do omnivores. OBJECTIVE We investigated whether male vegetarians (n = 17) who consumed an increased amount of dietary alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) showed any changes in their tissue profile of PUFAs, plasma thromboxane concentrations, platelet aggregability, or hemostatic factors. DESIGN During the study, all subjects maintained their habitual vegetarian diets except that a proportion of dietary fat was replaced with vegetable oils and margarines that were provided. Initially, all subjects consumed a low-ALA diet (containing safflower oil and safflower oil-based margarine) for 14 d; they then consumed either a moderate-ALA diet (containing canola oil and canola oil-based margarine) or a high-ALA diet (containing linseed oil and linseed oil-based margarine) for 28 d. Blood samples were collected at day 0 (baseline), day 14, and day 42. RESULTS Eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, total n-3 PUFAs, and the ratio of n-3 to n-6 PUFAs were significantly increased (P < 0.05), whereas the ratio of arachidonic acid to eicosapentaenoic acid was decreased (P < 0.05), in platelet phospholipids, plasma phospholipids, and triacylglycerols after either the moderate-ALA or high-ALA diet compared with the low-ALA diet. No significant differences were observed in thrombotic risk factors. CONCLUSION ALA from vegetable oils (canola and linseed) has a beneficial effect on n-3 PUFA concentrations of platelet phospholipids and plasma lipids in vegetarian males.
TBAK-1 and TASK-1, two-pore K+ channel subunits: kinetic properties and expression in rat heart.

A mammalian K+ channel subunit (TBAK-1/TASK-1) containing two pore domains and four transmembrane segments and whose mRNA is highly expressed in the heart has been cloned recently. TBAK-1 and TASK-1 are identical except for the additional nine amino acids in the NH2 terminus of TBAK-1. We examined their kinetic properties, pH sensitivity, and regional cardiac mRNA expression and determined whether a native cardiac K+ channel with similar kinetic properties was present. When TBAK-1 or TASK-1 was transiently expressed in COS-7 cells, time- and voltage-independent whole cell currents were observed. Single-channel conductances of TBAK-1 and TASK-1 were 14.6 ± 1.0 and 13.8 ± 2.8 pS, respectively, at -80 mV in 140 mM extracellular K+, and the mean open times were 0.8 ± 0.1 and 0.6 ± 0.1 ms, respectively. Both TBAK-1 and TASK-1 were highly sensitive to extracellular pH such that a decrease from 7.2 to 6.4 reduced their open probability ( P o) by 81 ± 14% and 80 ± 16%, whereas a decrease in intracellular pH from 7.2 to 6.4 reduced the P o by 42 ± 10% and 47 ± 12%, respectively. TBAK-1/TASK-1 mRNA was expressed in all regions of the rat heart, with the highest level of expression in the right atrium. A 14-pS K+channel with kinetic properties similar to those of TBAK-1/TASK-1 was identified in rat atrial and ventricular cells. These results indicate that TBAK-1/TASK-1 represents a functional native K+ channel in the rat heart.