Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling the penetration and perforation of concrete targets by rigid projectiles

We present an analytical approach for the penetration and perforation processes of concrete targets by rigid projectiles. We first derive an empirical relation for the penetration resistance (Rt) of thick concrete targets to rigid projectiles, in terms of their unconfined compressive strength (fc) and the projectile’s diameter (D). We then develop an analytic model for the perforation process of concrete slabs by accounting for their back surface, through a reduced resisting stress (Reff) which the slab exerts on the rigid projectile. With these values of Reff, we calculate the ballistic limit velocity (Vbl) for a given projectile/slab configuration, as well as the residual velocities (Vr) of a perforating projectile. Predictions from our model are compared with several sets of published data, showing good agreement.
Virulence protein VirD5 of Agrobacterium tumefaciens binds to kinetochores in host cells via an interaction with Spt4

Significance The soil bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens transforms plant cells into tumor cells by transferring a segment of oncogenic DNA (T-DNA). During transformation a set of virulence proteins is translocated into the plant cells to promote transformation. We show here that one of these proteins, VirD5, has the capacity to interfere with the conserved process of mitosis. By binding to the conserved host protein Spt4, VirD5 accumulates in the nucleus at the centromeres/kinetochores. There it can cause chromosome missegregation generating aneuploid cells in both yeast and plant cells. The bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens causes crown gall tumor formation in plants. During infection the bacteria translocate an oncogenic piece of DNA (transferred DNA, T-DNA) into plant cells at the infection site. A number of virulence proteins are cotransported into host cells concomitantly with the T-DNA to effectuate transformation. Using yeast as a model host, we find that one of these proteins, VirD5, localizes to the centromeres/kinetochores in the nucleus of the host cells by its interaction with the conserved protein Spt4. VirD5 promotes chromosomal instability as seen by the high-frequency loss of a minichromosome in yeast. By using both yeast and plant cells with a chromosome that was specifically marked by a lacO repeat, chromosome segregation errors and the appearance of aneuploid cells due to the presence of VirD5 could be visualized in vivo. Thus, VirD5 is a prokaryotic virulence protein that interferes with mitosis.
Decreased rates of substrate oxidation ex vivo predict the onset of heart failure and contractile dysfunction in rats with pressure overload.

AIMS Left ventricular hypertrophy is a risk factor for heart failure. However, it also is a compensatory response to pressure overload, accommodating for increased workload. We tested whether the changes in energy substrate metabolism may be predictive for the development of contractile dysfunction. METHODS AND RESULTS Chronic pressure overload was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by aortic arch constriction for 2, 6, 10, or 20 weeks. Contractile function in vivo was assessed by echocardiography and by invasive pressure measurement. Glucose and fatty acid oxidation as well as contractile function ex vivo were assessed in the isolated working heart, and respiratory capacity was measured in isolated cardiac mitochondria. Pressure overload caused progressive hypertrophy with normal ejection fraction (EF) at 2, 6, and 10 weeks, and hypertrophy with dilation and impaired EF at 20 weeks. The lung-to-body weight ratio, as marker for pulmonary congestion, was normal at 2 weeks (indicative of compensated hypertrophy) but significantly increased already after 6 and up to 20 weeks, suggesting the presence of heart failure with normal EF at 6 and 10 weeks and impaired EF at 20 weeks. Invasive pressure measurements showed evidence for contractile dysfunction already after 6 weeks and ex vivo cardiac power was reduced even at 2 weeks. Importantly, there was impairment in fatty acid oxidation beginning at 2 weeks, which was associated with a progressive decrease in glucose oxidation. In contrast, respiratory capacity of isolated mitochondria was normal until 10 weeks and decreased only in hearts with impaired EF. CONCLUSION Pressure overload-induced impairment in fatty acid oxidation precedes the onset of congestive heart failure but mitochondrial respiratory capacity is maintained until the EF decreases in vivo. These temporal relations suggest a tight link between impaired substrate oxidation capacity in the development of heart failure and contractile dysfunction and may imply therapeutic and prognostic value.
Human SULT 1 A 1 gene : copy number differences and functional implications

SULT1A1, which catalyzes the sulfate conjugation of a wide variety of natural and synthetic compounds, is genetically polymorphic. Biochemical and pharmacogenetic studies have demonstrated that individual variation in the level of enzyme activity is inherited. Common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in the open reading frame and in the 50-flanking region (50-FR) may account for a portion of this individual variation. In this study, we demonstrate the presence of SULT1A1 gene deletions and duplications, representing an additional source of variability in the metabolic activity of this enzyme. A quantitative multiplex PCR assay was used to measure the extent of copy number differences and the frequency of these events in different populations. An analysis of DNA from 362 Caucasian-American and 99 African-American showed the presence of 1 to 5 copies of SULT1A1 in individual samples: 5% of Caucasian subjects contained a single copy of the gene and 26% had three or more copies, while 63% of African-American subjects had three or more copies. Analysis of the genomic region surrounding the SULT1A1 gene in three separate cases with a deletion demonstrated that the entire SULT1A1 gene was affected. Reporter assays, constructed for each of the various 50-FR SNP haplotypes, suggest that these may also play a role in SULT1A1 activity. However, the variability in the level of enzyme activity among 23 human platelet and 267 human liver samples was best explained by gene copy number differences when all sources of genetic variability were considered (P < 0.0001). Overall, these observations have obvious implications for the effectiveness of SULT1A1 as a drug and hormone metabolizing enzyme and its potential role as a risk factor for disease.
Discovery of N-(Naphtho[1,2-b]Furan-5-Yl) Benzenesulfonamides as Novel Selective Inhibitors of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)

Any type of breast cancer not expressing genes of the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is referred to as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Accordingly, TNBCs do not respond to hormonal therapies or medicines targeting the ER, PR, or HER2. Systemic chemotherapy is therefore the only treatment option available today and prognoses remain poor. We report the discovery and characterization of N-(naphtho[1,2-b]furan-5-yl)benzenesulfonamides as selective inhibitors of TNBCs. These inhibitors were identified by virtual screening and inhibited different TNBC cell lines with IC50 values of 2–3 μM. The compounds did not inhibit normal (i.e. MCF-7 and MCF-10A) cells in vitro, indicating their selectivity against TNBC cells. Considering the selectivity of these inhibitors for TNBC, these compounds and analogs can serve as a promising starting point for further research on effective TNBC inhibitors.
The Negative Effect of Preoperative Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization on Long-Term Outcomes for Resectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis

BACKGROUND Preoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is administered to improve long-term outcome after surgical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the survival benefit of preoperative TACE is controversial. We conducted a retrospective case-control study to evaluate the effect of preoperative TACE on prognosis. METHODS A total of 121 patients who underwent curative resection of HCC were divided into two groups according to whether they received preoperative TACE. We determined the control group (n = 34) and TACE group (n = 34) through propensity score matching. The primary endpoint of this study was overall survival, and the secondary endpoints were recurrence-free survival. RESULTS The overall survival rate and the recurrence free survival rate were significantly lower in the TACE group than in the control group (P = 0.014 and P = 0.043, respectively). Furthermore, recurrence free survival within less than 2 years after resection was significantly worse in the TACE group than in the control group (P = 0.035). CONCLUSION Preoperative TACE seemed to worsen the long-term outcomes of the patients who underwent surgical resection for the treatment of resectable HCC. Therefore, preoperative TACE should not be considered as a standard therapy in patients with resectable HCC.
Identifying the most surprising victims of mass extinction events: an example using Late Ordovician brachiopods

Mass extinction events are recognized by increases in extinction rate and magnitude and, often, by changes in the selectivity of extinction. When considering the selective fingerprint of a particular event, not all taxon extinctions are equally informative: some would be expected even under a ‘background’ selectivity regime, whereas others would not and thus require special explanation. When evaluating possible drivers for the extinction event, the latter group is of particular interest. Here, we introduce a simple method for identifying these most surprising victims of extinction events by training models on background extinction intervals and using these models to make per-taxon assessments of ‘expected’ risk during the extinction interval. As an example, we examine brachiopod genus extinctions during the Late Ordovician Mass Extinction and show that extinction of genera in the deep-water ‘Foliomena fauna’ was particularly unexpected given preceding Late Ordovician extinction patterns.
MICROSTRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF HEAT TREATED SELECTIVE LASER MELTING MANUFACTURED

Investigation of microstructural evolution of pre and post heat treatment (HT) Selective Laser Melting (SLM) Ti-6Al-4V is presented. As received SLM samples composed of fine acicular ’ martensite within prior β grains were solution treated above the β-transus temperature, followed by a complementary HT within the + range. Non-monotonic change of microhardness as a function of HT temperature was observed. After low HT temperatures, the microstructure was composed mainly of martensitic α' phase, whereas, after high temperatures HT, bi-phasic microstructure with needle-like elongated α-phase grains and a mixture of lamellar + in between, was observed as the dominant microstructural component. The dependence of the properties and microstructure on heat treatment temperature will be discussed.
ZFOURGE/CANDELS: ON THE EVOLUTION OF M* GALAXY PROGENITORS FROM z = 3 TO 0.5

Galaxies with stellar masses near M* contain the majority of stellar mass in the universe, and are therefore of special interest in the study of galaxy evolution. The Milky Way (MW) and Andromeda (M31) have present-day stellar masses near M*, at 5 × 1010 M☉ (defined here to be MW-mass) and 1011 M☉ (defined to be M31-mass). We study the typical progenitors of these galaxies using the FourStar Galaxy Evolution Survey (ZFOURGE). ZFOURGE is a deep medium-band near-IR imaging survey, which is sensitive to the progenitors of these galaxies out to z ∼ 3. We use abundance-matching techniques to identify the main progenitors of these galaxies at higher redshifts. We measure the evolution in the stellar mass, rest-frame colors, morphologies, far-IR luminosities, and star formation rates, combining our deep multiwavelength imaging with near-IR Hubble Space Telescope imaging from Cosmic Near-IR Deep Extragalactic Legacy Survey (CANDELS), and Spitzer and Herschel far-IR imaging from Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey-Herschel and CANDELS-Herschel. The typical MW-mass and M31-mass progenitors passed through the same evolution stages, evolving from blue, star-forming disk galaxies at the earliest stages to redder dust-obscured IR-luminous galaxies in intermediate stages and to red, more quiescent galaxies at their latest stages. The progenitors of the MW-mass galaxies reached each evolutionary stage at later times (lower redshifts) and with stellar masses that are a factor of two to three lower than the progenitors of the M31-mass galaxies. The process driving this evolution, including the suppression of star formation in present-day M* galaxies, requires an evolving stellar-mass/halo-mass ratio and/or evolving halo-mass threshold for quiescent galaxies. The effective size and SFRs imply that the baryonic cold-gas fractions drop as galaxies evolve from high redshift to z ∼ 0 and are strongly anticorrelated with an increase in the Sérsic index. Therefore, the growth of galaxy bulges in M* galaxies corresponds to a rapid decline in the galaxy gas fractions and/or a decrease in the star formation efficiency.
Comparison of Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation and Microdebrider-Assisted Turbinoplasty in Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy: A Prospective, Randomized, and Clinical Study.

Objective To compare the effectiveness of radiofrequency thermal ablation with those of microdebrider-assisted turbinoplasty, we designed a prospective, randomized clinical study. Methods Forty patients suffering from nasal obstruction due to bilateral inferior turbinate hypertrophy were enrolled. Half of the patients were operated by radiofrequency thermal ablation, while the other half underwent microdebrider-assisted turbinoplasty. The outcomes of both techniques were compared in terms of symptomatology, nasal patency, and mucociliary transport. Results A statistically significant difference existed between the two groups with respect to nasal obstruction and the frequency of obstruction at the first post-operative week and first and third post-operative months (p<0.05). Rhinomanometry detected a significant decrease in nasal resistance values in both surgical groups compared to the preoperative values. The mucociliary transport time was significantly prolonged in the first postoperative week and first postoperative month in microdebrider-assisted inferior turbinoplasty group. Conclusion Both radiofrequency thermal ablation and microdebrider-assisted turbinoplasty are effective techniques for treating inferior turbinate hypertrophy. The treatment modality should be individually determined, and parameters such as tissue healing, volume reduction, and mucociliary activity must be taken into account.
Characterization of rice bran wax policosanol and its nanoemulsion formulation

Policosanol, a mixture of long-chain alcohols found in animal and plant waxes, has several biological effects; however, it has a bioavailability of less than 10%. Therefore, there is a need to improve its bioavailability, and one of the ways of doing this is by nanoemulsion formulation. Different droplet size distributions are usually achieved when emulsions are formed, which solely depends on the preparation method used. Mostly, emulsions are intended for better delivery with maintenance of the characteristics and properties of the leading components. In this study, policosanol was extracted from rice bran wax, its composition was determined by gas chromatography mass spectrophotometry, nanoemulsion was made, and the physical stability characteristics were determined. The results showed that policosanol nanoemulsion has a nanosize particle distribution below 100 nm (92.56–94.52 nm), with optimum charge distribution (−55.8 to −45.12 mV), pH (6.79–6.92) and refractive index (1.50); these were monitored and found to be stable for 8 weeks. The stability of policosanol nanoemulsion confers the potential to withstand long storage times.
Avoiding non-responders to cardiac resynchronization therapy: a practical guide

Over two decades after the introduction of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) into clinical practice, ∼30% of candidates continue to fail to respond to this highly effective treatment of drug-refractory heart failure (HF). Since the causes of this non-response (NR) are multifactorial, it will require multidisciplinary efforts to overcome. Progress has, thus far, been slowed by several factors, ranging from a lack of consensus regarding the definition of NR and technological limitations to the delivery of therapy. We critically review the various endpoints that have been used in landmark clinical trials of CRT, and the variability in response rates that has been observed as a result of these different investigational designs, different sample populations enrolled and different means of therapy delivered, including new means of multisite and left ventricular endocardial simulation. Precise recommendations are offered regarding the optimal device programming, use of telemonitoring and optimization of management of HF. Potentially reversible causes of NR to CRT are reviewed, with emphasis on loss of biventricular stimulation due to competing arrhythmias. The prevention of NR to CRT is essential to improve the overall performance of this treatment and lower its risk-benefit ratio. These objectives require collaborative efforts by the HF team, the electrophysiologists and the cardiac imaging experts.
Evidence for the Upward Spiral Stands Steady: A Response to Nickerson (2018)

In 2013, we reported in Psychological Science on a longitudinal field experiment in which we and our coauthors randomly assigned participants to receive or not to receive positive-emotions training over 6 weeks, in order to test theory-driven hypotheses regarding the pathways by which positive emotions might build physical health (Kok et al., 2013). Our results revealed that, amidst the unpredictability of field settings, positiveemotions training produced statistically significant improvements in a marker of physical health, and that these improvements were mediated by psychological processes. On the basis of her reanalyses of our data, Nickerson (2018) claims that we overstated our findings. As we detail here, we find the empirical basis for Nickerson’s claim to be questionable.
Two-/three-dimensional hybrid model of the thermomechanical behaviour of disc brakes

Abstract Prediction of the surface temperature in friction braking systems is the main problem in the analysis of thermal dissipation and surface degradations such as wear, phase transformation, cracks, etc. The first difficulty of the thermal prediction is presented by the complex interactions between the thermal, mechanical and tribological behaviour. The second problem is due to the multiscale aspect, from the macroscopic response of the disc and brake pads (conduction, distortions, etc.) to local surface effects (surface roughness, wear debris, phase changes, etc.). This paper aims to propose a macrostructural model of the thermomechanical behaviour of the disc brake, taking into account the real three-dimensional geometry of the disc-pad couple. Contact surface variations, distortions and wear are taken into account. Real body geometry and thermoelastoplastic modelling of the disc material are specially introduced. Such a model aims to give predictions of the thermal gradients varying with time and of the thermomechanical response of the components. Predictions of the temperature distributions are compared with experimental measurements obtained by thermographs and thermocouples. Such a model seems to be a suitable base for the study of the thermal dissipation and the thermomechanical behaviour and for the introduction of local friction effects.
Electro‐conductive fabrics based on dip coating of cotton in poly(3‐hexylthiophene)

Electro-conductive cotton fabrics based on poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) were prepared using dip coating processing technique. The effect of solvent type used for the preparation of P3HT solutions on the amount of polymer incorporated into the fabric and the morphology of P3HT coated cotton fabrics were studied using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Thermal and mechanical studies revealed that after incorporation of P3HT, the fabrics preserved their original thermal stability and mechanical properties. Electrical resistivity measurements showed a decrease by several orders of magnitude in both surface and volume resistivities for cotton-P3HT system relative to the untreated cotton. We also demonstrate that further significant improvement in electrical resistivity can be achieved by doping P3HT coated cotton with iodine. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Activation of MMPs in Macrophages by Mycobacterium tuberculosis via the miR‐223‐BMAL1 Signaling Pathway

An interaction between Mycobacterium tuberculosis and macrophages constitutes an essential step in tuberculosis development, as macrophages exert both positive and negative effects on M. tuberculosis‐triggered organ lesions. In this study, we focused on the regulation of the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which is responsible for lung matrix degradation and bacteria dissection, in macrophages following M. tuberculosis infection. Female BALB/c mice were intravenously injected with the M. tuberculosis strain H37Rv at 0 h zeitgeber time (ZT0) or 12 h zeitgeber time (ZT12). The expression and activity of MMP‐1, ‐2, ‐3, and ‐9 in lungs and spleens were then evaluated. In vitro, peritoneal macrophages were harvested at ZT0 or at ZT12 and infected with 10 MOI M. tuberculosis. The expression of MMPs, microRNA‐223 and BMAL1 was analyzed by qRT‐PCR and/or Western blot. The binding of BMAL1 3′‐UTR by miR‐223 was confirmed by luciferase activity assay. Additionally, wild‐type BMAL1 or NLSmut BMAL1 plasmids were transfected to evaluate the effect of BMAL1 on MMPs. The results showed a differential expression of MMPs in mice tissues infected at different times. M. tuberculosis infection caused enhanced MMP‐1, ‐9, and miR‐223 expression, with inhibited BMAL1 expression. MiR‐223 modulated BMAL1 expression via the direct binding of BMAL1 3′‐UTR. Furthermore, wild‐type BMAL1 other than NLSmut BMAL1 attenuated MMPs expression in M. tuberculosis‐infected macrophages. Overall, this study demonstrated a potential involvement of circadian rhythm in MMP activation by M. tuberculosis in macrophages. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 4804–4812, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Durability enhancement of polymer gear using compressed air cooling

Polymer gears can replace metallic gears in many engineering applications; however, thermal sensitive mechanical properties of the polymers limit its wide application. Gear tooth surface interaction as well as material hysteresis generates heat in the gear operation. There have been many attempts to improve the gear performance by design modifications as well as with new materials to withstand against thermal damages. In this work, compressed air cooling method is adopted to improve the wear resistance of injection molded polypropylene spur gears. For the chosen gear and test conditions, continuous measurement of gear surface temperature confirmed that compressed air cooling lowers the temperature up to 15 ℃. Periodical measurement of gear tooth thickness confirms that wear resistance increases up to 100%. Continuous measurements of torque available in driver and driven end confirmed that a 2% increase in transmission efficiency of the gear pair. Test gear tooth surface after a finite number of cycles also confirms the effect of compressed air cooling on wear resistance. Mao model is used to predict the gear surface temperature and found to be in close agreement with experimental results.