Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Geochemical alteration of pyrochlore group minerals: Betafite subgroup

Abstract Relatively low-temperature, secondary alteration is common in samples of metamict betafite and initially proceeds by the substitution mechanisms ANaYF → A⃞Y⃞, ACaYO→ A⃞Y⃞,and ACaXO→ A⃞Y⃞. Alteration is usually accompanied by hydration (∼10-15 wt% H2O) together with minor increases in Al, K, Mn, Fe, Sr, and Ba. At this stage, U and Th remain relatively unaffected by the alteration process. Once Na and F are removed and the Ca content drops below about 0.2-0.3 atoms per formula unit (∼2.5-3.5 wt% CaO), betafite bulk compositions fall within the stability field of liandratite + uranpyrochlore + rutile (or anatase), thus promoting major element mobility (including Th, U, Pb, and B-site cations), incipient recrystallization, and partial dehydration. New phase assemblages occur as a function of decreasing bulk U content in the order liandratite + rutile, liandratite + uranpyrochlore + rutile, and uranpyrochlore + rutile. The same phase assemblages also occur in laboratory heating experiments performed in an inert atmosphere at 1000°C. Up to 20-30% of the original amount of U may be lost during severe secondary alteration and recrystallization of betafite. Part of this U is retained by liandratite crystallized in the adjacent host rock. Loss of radiogenic Pb results from both long-term diffusion and secondary alteration, aided by radiation damage-induced volume expansion and microfracturing.
Bibliometrics, Citation Anatysis and Co-Citation Analysis: A Review of Literature II

This article is the second part of an article entitled Bibliometrics, Citation analysis and Co-citation analysis: A Review of Literature. In this part of the article document and author cocitation, journal-by-journal and country-by country citation analysis are studied. Mapping science äs an application of cocitation analysis is also studied. Finally the limitations, problems and reliability and validity of citation analysis äs a research method will be considered.
A novel multi-scale 2D CNN with weighted focal loss for arrhythmias detection on varying-dimensional ECGs

Objective. The ECG is a standard diagnostic tool for identifying many arrhythmias. Accurate diagnosis and early intervention for arrhythmias are of great significance to the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Our objective is to develop an algorithm that can automatically identify 30 arrhythmias by using varying-dimensional ECG signals. Approach. In this paper, we firstly proposed a novel multi-scale 2D CNN that can effectively capture pathological information from small-scale to large-scale from ECG signals to identify 30 arrhythmias from 12-lead, 6-lead, 4-lead, 3-lead, and 2-lead ECGs. Secondly, we explored the effects of varying convolution kernels sizes and branch subnetworks on the model’s performance for each arrhythmia. Thirdly, we introduced the weighted focal loss to alleviate the positive-negative class imbalance problem in the multi-label arrhythmias classification. Fourthly, we explored the utility of reduced-lead ECGs in detecting arrhythmias by comparing the performances of models on varying-dimensional ECGs. Main results. As a follow-up entry after the PhysioNet/Computing in Cardiology Challenge (2021), our proposed approach achieved the official test scores of 0.52, 0.47, 0.53, 0.51, and 0.50 for the 12-lead, 6-lead, 4-lead, 3-lead, and 2-lead ECGs on the hidden test set (comparable to that of 6th, 11th, 4th, 5th, and 7th out of 39 teams in the Challenge). Significance. A multi-scale framework capable of detecting 30 arrhythmias from varying-dimensional ECGs was proposed in our work. We preliminarily verified that the multi-scale perception fields may be necessary to capture more comprehensive pathological information for arrhythmias detection. Besides, we also verified that the weighted focal loss may alleviate the positive–negative class imbalance and improve the model’s generalization performance on the cross-dataset. In addition, we observed that some reduced-lead models, such as the 4-lead and 3-lead models, can even achieve performance that is almost comparable to that of the 12-lead model. The excellent performance of our proposed framework demonstrates its great potential in detecting a wide range of arrhythmias.
Changes in Torque-Angle Profiles of the Hamstrings and Hamstrings-to-Quadriceps Ratio After Two Hamstring Strengthening Exercise Interventions in Female Hockey Players.

Delextrat, A, Bateman, J, Ross, C, Harman, J, Davis, L, Vanrenterghem, J, and Cohen, DD. Changes in torque-angle profiles of the hamstrings and hamstrings-to-quadriceps ratio after two hamstring strengthening exercise interventions in female hockey players. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2019-The aim of this study was to compare the effects of 2 hamstring strengthening interventions (Nordic hamstrings [NHE] vs. eccentric leg curl [ELC]) on the hamstring torque-angle profiles and functional hamstrings-to-quadriceps ratio (Hecc:Qcon) in female hockey players. Female university-level players were randomly allocated to an NHE group (n = 9, 19.7 ± 1.4 years; 168.4 ± 4.4 cm; 66.2 ± 7.2 kg, 26.0 ± 4.4%), an ELC group (n = 8, 19.5 ± 1.0 years; 168.1 ± 3.4 cm; 66.7 ± 4.5 kg, 24.8 ± 3.5%), or a control (C) group (n = 8, 19.6 ± 1.4 years; 169.9 ± 7.5 cm; 70.7 ± 13.0 kg, 25.9 ± 5.2%). They performed baseline isokinetic concentric strength tests of the quadriceps (Qcon) and eccentric strength of the hamstrings (Hecc) at 120°·s, followed by a 6-week intervention with exercises (NHE or ELC) performed 3 times weekly, before post-tests. Analyses of variance with repeated measures were used to assess the effects of knee position angle (from 90° of knee flexion to 10° close to extension), group, and time on Qcon, Hecc, and Hecc:Qcon. There were no interactions between independent variables. Significant increases in Hecc and Hecc:Qcon were shown after NHE (+29.9 and +27.8%) and ELC (+30.5 and +38.3%) in the nondominant leg only. Furthermore, significant shifts in the hamstring eccentric angle of peak torque toward a longer muscle length were shown in both legs (14.3-28.6%). These findings suggest that NHE and ELC both resulted in significant improvements in peak and muscle-length-specific neuromuscular risk factors in the nondominant (ND) limb, thereby reducing interlimb peak strength asymmetries. Strength and conditioning specialists could therefore use both the NHE and ELC exercises in female hockey players.
Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus Nucleocapsid Protein Interacts with Na+/H+ Exchanger 3 To Reduce Na+/H+ Exchanger Activity and Promote Piglet Diarrhea

A variety of coronaviruses have been found to cause severe diarrhea in hosts, including TGEV; however, the pathogenic mechanism is not clear. Therefore, prompt determination of the mechanism and identification of efficient therapeutic agents are required, both for public health reasons and for economic development. ABSTRACT Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) is member of the family Coronaviridae and mainly causes acute diarrhea. TGEV infection is characterized by vomiting, watery diarrhea, and severe dehydration, resulting in high mortality rates in neonatal piglets. TGEV infection symptoms are related to an imbalance of sodium absorption in small intestinal epithelial cells; however, the etiology of sodium imbalance diarrhea caused by TGEV remains unclear. In this study, we performed transcriptomic analysis of intestinal tissues from infected and healthy piglets and observed that the expression of NHE3, encoding Na+/H+ exchanger 3 (NHE3), the main exchanger of electroneutral sodium in intestinal epithelial cells, was significantly reduced upon TGEV infection. We also showed that specific inhibition of intestinal NHE3 activity could lead to the development of diarrhea in piglets. Furthermore, we revealed an interaction between TGEV N protein and NHE3 near the nucleus. The binding of TGEV N to NHE3 directly affected the expression and activity of NHE3 on the cell surface and affected cellular electrolyte absorption, leading to diarrhea. Molecular docking and computer-aided screening techniques were used to screen for the blocker of the interaction between TGEV N and NHE3, which identified irinotecan. We then demonstrated that irinotecan was effective in relieving TGEV-induced diarrhea in piglets. These findings provide new insights into the mechanism of TGEV-induced sodium imbalance diarrhea and could lead to the design of novel antiviral strategies against TGEV. IMPORTANCE A variety of coronaviruses have been found to cause severe diarrhea in hosts, including TGEV; however, the pathogenic mechanism is not clear. Therefore, prompt determination of the mechanism and identification of efficient therapeutic agents are required, both for public health reasons and for economic development. In this study, we demonstrated that NHE3 is the major expressed protein of NHEs in the intestine, and its expression decreased by nearly 70% after TGEV infection. Also, specific inhibition of intestinal NHE3 resulted in severe diarrhea in piglets. This demonstrated that NHE3 plays an important role in TGEV-induced diarrhea. In addition, we found that TGEV N directly regulates NHE3 expression and activity through protein-protein interaction, which is essential to promote diarrhea. Molecular docking and other techniques demonstrated that irinotecan could block the interaction and diarrhea caused by TGEV. Thus, our results provide a basis for the development of novel therapeutic agents against TGEV and guidance for the development of drugs for other diarrhea-causing coronaviruses.
Prediagnostic Leukocyte Telomere Length and Pancreatic Cancer Survival

Background: Leukocyte telomere length has been associated with risk of subsequent pancreatic cancer. Few prospective studies have evaluated the association of prediagnostic leukocyte telomere length with pancreatic cancer survival. Methods: We prospectively examined the association of prediagnostic leukocyte telomere length with overall survival (OS) time among 423 participants diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma between 1984 and 2008 within the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, Nurses' Health Study, Physicians' Health Study, and Women's Health Initiative. We measured prediagnostic leukocyte telomere length in banked blood samples using quantitative PCR. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate HRs for OS with adjustment for potential confounders. We also evaluated 10 SNPs at the telomerase reverse transcriptase locus. Results: Shorter prediagnostic leukocyte telomere length was associated with reduced OS among patients with pancreatic cancer (Ptrend = 0.04). The multivariable-adjusted HR for OS comparing the lowest with highest quintiles of leukocyte telomere length was 1.39 (95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.93), corresponding to a 3-month difference in median OS time. In an analysis excluding cases with blood collected within 2 years of cancer diagnosis, the association was moderately stronger (HR, 1.55; 95% confidence interval, 1.09–2.21; comparing the lowest with highest quintiles; Ptrend = 0.01). No prognostic association or effect modification for the prognostic association of prediagnostic leukocyte telomere length was noted in relation to the studied SNPs. Conclusions: Prediagnostic leukocyte telomere length was associated with pancreatic cancer survival. Impact: Prediagnostic leukocyte telomere length can be a prognostic biomarker in pancreatic cancer.
Dynamic Walking of a Legged Robot in Underwater Environments

In this research, the dynamic walking of a legged robot in underwater environments is proposed. For this goal, the underwater zero moment point (Uzmp) is proposed in order to generate the trajectory of the centre of the mass of the robot. Also, the underwater zero moment point auxiliary (Uzmp aux.) is employed to stabilize the balance of the robot before it undergoes any external perturbations. The concept demonstration of a legged robot with hydraulic actuators is developed. Moreover, the control that was used is described and the hydrodynamic variables of the robot are determined. The results demonstrate the validity of the concepts that are proposed in this article, and the dynamic walking of the legged robot in an underwater environment is successfully demonstrated.
Seed-Roasting Process Affects Oxidative Stability of Cold-Pressed Oils

The oxidative stability of vegetable oils mainly depends on their fatty acid composition, their degree of unsaturation, and the presence of compounds with antioxidant activity. This paper reports on the effects of the process of roasting oil seeds, prior to pressing them, on the basic characteristics of the oils produced and their oxidative stability. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique was used to study the process of oxidation of the oil samples in an oxygen-flow cell. Chromatographic analysis revealed that roasting the seeds increased the levels of chlorophyll and β-carotene in all the cold-pressed oils. Similar results were observed for the oil’s antioxidant activity, measured by the scavenging 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical method. Our results also indicated that roasting seeds prior to pressing them for oil had a positive effect on the oil’s stability, as determined by the DSC method. This manifested in both the extension of oxidation induction time and the final oxidation time.
Computational analysis of tensile damage and failure of mineralized tissue assisted with experimental observations

In this study, deformation and failure mechanisms of mineralized tissue (bone) were investigated both experimentally and computationally by performing diametral compression tests on millimetric disk specimens and conducting finite element analysis in which a granular micromechanics-based nonlinear user-defined material model is implemented. The force–displacement relationship obtained in the simulation agreed well with the experimental results. The simulation was also able to capture location of the failure initiation observed in the experiment, which is inside out from the hole along the loading axis. Furthermore, propagation of micro-sized cracks into failure was observed both in the experiment using simultaneous slow-motion microscopy imaging and in the simulation analyzing the local distortion and local volume change within the specimen. The anisotropy evolution was found to be significant around the hole along the loading axis by evaluating the anisotropy index computed using finite element results. In conclusion, this work revealed that the prediction capability of granular micromechanics-based user-defined nonlinear material model (UMAT) is promising considering the match between the results and observations from the physical experiment and finite element analysis such as force–displacement relationship and failure initiation/pattern. This work has also shown that the tensile damage and failure of mineralized tissues can be characterized using diametral compression (split tension) test.
Alginate dependent changes of physical properties in 3D bioprinted cell-laden porous scaffolds affect cell viability and cell morphology

Three-dimensional (3D) cell-laden scaffolds are becoming more prevalent in bone tissue repair and regeneration. However, the influence of physical scaffold properties on cell behavior is still unclear. In this study, we fabricated four different alginate concentration (0.8, 1.3, 1.8 and 2.3%alg) composite cell-laden porous scaffolds using a 3D bioprinting technique. The aim was to investigate the changes of physical properties affected by the alginate concentration and the influences on cell behavior. The study showed that the different alginate concentration scaffolds had uniform macropores (500–600 μm) with compressive moduli ranging from 1.5 kPa (0.8%alg) to 14.2 kPa (2.3%alg). Long-term structural integrity of the printed scaffolds was achieved when cultured in cell culture media, but not when cultured in phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Scaffold structure, swelling behavior, and compressive moduli decreased with culturing time and higher alginate concentration lead to more stable physical scaffold properties. Meanwhile, human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSCs) laden non-printed and bioprinted composite scaffolds were fabricated. Bioprinting did not affect cell viability, but alginate concentration had a significant influence on cell viability and cell morphology. Lower alginate concentration scaffolds (0.8%alg) showed higher cell viability (84% ± 0.7% versus 68% ± 1.3%) compared to higher alginate concentration scaffolds (2.3%alg) at day 14. Live cell image in the 0.8%alg scaffolds demonstrated the formation of a 3D interconnected cellular network, while cells in the 1.8 and 2.3%alg scaffolds formed spheroids. In conclusion, this study broadens the design space for alginate-based bioinks for 3D bioprinting. Higher alginate concentration preserved better scaffold fidelity and mechanical properties. Better cell viability and cell spreading morphology was achieved in lower alginate concentration scaffolds, which is relevant for potential applications in bone tissue engineering.
Electrochemical functionalization strategy for chemical vapor deposited graphene on silicon substrates: grafting, electronic properties and biosensing

Herein, we present an electrochemical functionalization strategy for high quality single-layer and multilayer chemical vapor deposited (CVD) graphene directly on a Si/SiO2 chip facilitating electronic interfacing. This method avoids oxidation and tearing of graphene basal planes. We demonstrate effective functionalization by D-(+)-biotin (Bio), 4-(phenyldiazenyl)-aniline (Dz), and gallic acid (Gall) using cyclic voltammetry. Raman spectroscopy and XPS are used to demonstrate effective functionalization. In order to evaluate the effect of the electrochemical functionalization on graphene properties, DC electrical conductivity, XPS, mobility, and carrier density analysis are presented. We show that this functionalization strategy does not degrade graphene mobility (103 cm2 V−1s−1). After functionalization we observe a rise in Fermi level of ∼0.06 eV. In addition, we prove sensing capabilities with a CVD graphene monolayer on the biotin/avidin system by electrical resistance measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy reaching a detection of 2.5 ng ml−1. This paper demonstrates an effective strategy to functionalize high quality CVD graphene on a chip compatible with an electronic interface readout.
Fabrication of Different Microchannels by Adjusting the Extrusion Parameters for Sacrificial Molds

Using the 3D printed mold-removal method to fabricate microchannel has become a promising alternative to the conventional soft lithography technique, due to the convenience in printing channel mold and the compatibility with PDMS material. Although having great potential, the use of single filament extruded by fused deposition modeling (FDM) as the sacrificial channel mold has not been elaborately studied. In this paper, we demonstrate the fabrication of microchannels with different structure and size by controllably extruding the sacrificial channel molds. The influences of the main processing parameters including working distance, extrusion amount and printing speed on the printed microchannels are systematically investigated. The results show that, the circular and low-aspect-ratio straight microchannels with different sizes can be fabricated by adjusting the extrusion amounts. The sinusoidal, 3D curved and cross-linked curved microchannels along straight path can be fabricated, either independently or in combination, by the combined control of the working distance, extrusion amount and printing speed. The complex microchannels with different structural features can also be printed along curved serpentine, rectangular serpentine, and spiral paths. This paper presents a simple and powerful method to fabricate the complex microchannels with different structure and size by just controlling the processing parameters for extruding channel molds.
Biotechnology and Bioengineering

Funding information U.S. Department of Energy, Grant/Award Numbers: DE‐EE 000 7531, DE‐SC 000 8744; Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Abstract Cell‐free systems are growing in importance for the biosynthesis of complex molecules. These systems combine the precision of traditional chemistry with the versatility of biology in creating superior overall processes. Recently, a new synthetic pathway for the biosynthesis of isoprenoids using the substrate isopentenol, dubbed the isopentenol utilization pathway (IUP), was demonstrated to be a promising alternative to the native 2C‐methyl‐D‐erythritol‐4‐phosphate (MEP) and mevalonate (MVA) pathways. This simplified pathway, which contains a minimum of four enzymes to produce basic monoterpenes and only depends on ATP and isopentenol as substrates, allows for a highly flexible approach to the commercial synthesis of isoprenoid products. In this work, we use metabolic reconstitution to characterize this new pathway in vitro and demonstrate its use for the cell‐free synthesis of mono‐, sesquit‐, and diterpenoids. Kinetic modeling and sensitivity analysis were also used to identify the most significant parameters for taxadiene productivity, and metabolic control analysis was employed to elucidate protein‐level interactions within this pathway, which demonstrated that the IUP enzymatic system is primarily controlled by the concentration and kinetics of choline kinase (CK) and not regulated by any pathway intermediates. This is a significant advantage over the natural MEP or MVA pathways as it greatly simplifies future metabolic engineering efforts, both in vitro and in vivo, aiming at improving the kinetics of CK. Finally, we used the insights gathered to demonstrate an in vitro IUP system that can produce 220mg/L of the diterpene taxadiene, in 9 hr, almost 3‐fold faster than any system reported thus far.