Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Induction of cytochrome P450 3A by retinoids in rat hepatocyte culture

1 Rat hepatocytes cultured on a Matrigel matrix were exposed for 48 h to all-trans-retinoic acid, 9-cis-retinoic acid, 13-cis-retinoic acid or fenreti nide. 2 Cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) RNA levels were increased by approximately eightfold in hepatocytes treated with the retinoids compared to control cultures. 3 CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 RNA levels were only slightly affected or unaffected by the retinoids. 4 The induction of CYP3A by these therapeutically- useful retinoids suggests that they may share a common mechanism for accelerated drug catabolism and acquired clinical resistance.
Study of Microstructure in Polyethylene Terephthalate(PET) Fiber Using SAXS

An experimental method was developed in this work to study the PET fibers by synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Compared with the traditional measurement in air, the new method measured in the glycerin is helpful to eliminate edge scattering arising from the fiber edge. The results showed that intensity from edge scattering is so high as to cover the microstructure information. PET fiber with a diameter of 25 μm was measured by the new experimental method, and a lobed shape can be seen clearly on the meridian which didn't emerge in traditional measurement. The SAXS data were evaluated to extract parameters of lamellar structure and microvoids. In addition, the effect of fiber diameter on edge scattering was also investigated.
Skillometers: reflective widgets that motivate and help users to improve performance

Applications typically provide ways for expert users to increase their performance, such as keyboard shortcuts or customization, but these facilities are frequently ignored. To help address this problem, we introduce skillometers -- lightweight displays that visualize the benefits available through practicing, adopting a better technique, or switching to a faster mode of interaction. We present a general framework for skillometer design, then discuss the design and implementation of a real-world skillometer intended to increase hotkey use. A controlled experiment shows that our skillometer successfully encourages earlier and faster learning of hotkeys. Finally, we discuss general lessons for future development and deployment of skillometers.
Intrinsic Healing in Asphalt Binders – Measurement and Impact of Molecular Morphology

This paper describes how fatigue cracking is one of the critical forms of distresses in asphalt pavements. Self-healing in asphalt binders is a process that reverses the growth of fatigue cracks. There is sufficient evidence in the literature to support that self-healing occurs in asphalt binders. Recent studies have focused on the development of a comprehensive model that reflects the mechanism of self-healing in asphalt binders. This model comprises of two components: the rate of wetting, and the rate of intrinsic healing of a wetted interface. The focus of this paper is on the rate of intrinsic healing in asphalt binders. The first half of this paper presents a simple Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) based test method to quantify the intrinsic healing rates of different asphalt binders. Limited validation for this test method is provided by comparing results to the thermodynamic work of adhesion for selected asphalt binders. The second half of this paper presents the use of molecular dynamics to determine the morphological characteristics of asphalt molecules that promote self-healing.
Limited variation in visual sensitivity among bowerbird species suggests that there is no link between spectral tuning and variation in display colouration

SUMMARY Variation in visual spectral tuning has evolved in concert with signal colour in some taxa, but there is limited evidence of this pattern in birds. To further investigate this possibility, we compared spectral sensitivity among bowerbird species that occupy different visual habitats and are highly diverged in plumage and decoration colour displays, which are important in mate choice and possibly reproductive isolation. Microspectrophotometry of violet-, short-, medium- and long-wavelength-sensitive cones revealed no significant interspecific variation in visual pigment peak spectral absorbance values that ranged between 404–410, 454, 503–511 and 558–568 nm, respectively. Mean cut-off wavelength values for C-, Y-, R- and P-type coloured oil droplets were 418–441, 508–523, 558–573 and 412–503 nm, respectively, with values at longer wavelengths in ventral compared with dorsal retina cones. Low ocular media mid-wavelength transmission values (340–352 nm) suggest that bowerbirds may represent a transitional stage in the evolution from the ancestral violet-sensitive- to the derived ultraviolet-sensitive-type short-wavelength-sensitive-1-based visual system found in younger passerine lineages. Sequence data obtained for rod opsin and four cone opsin genes were identical at key tuning sites, except for an interspecific leucine-52-alanine polymorphism in the short-wavelength-sensitive 2 opsin. There was no obvious relationship between relative proportions of cone classes and either visual habitat or display colour. Overall, we detected little interspecific variation in bowerbird spectral sensitivity and no association between sensitivity and display diversity, which is consistent with the general trend among avian taxa.
Dynamic Evolution of New Grains in Magnesium Alloy AZ31 during Hot Deformation

Dynamic grain evolution of a magnesium alloy AZ31 was studied in compression at 673 K (0.73T m ) by optical and SEM/OIM microscopy. The flow curve shows rapid hardening accompanied by a stress peak at a relatively low strain (e p = 0.12), followed by strain softening and then a steady state flow stress at high strains. Fine grains evolved at corrugated grain boundaries at around E P and developed rapidly fluting strain softening, finally leading to a full structure of equiaxed fine grains. Such characteristics of new grain evolution and flow behavior are apparently similar to those in conventional, i. e. discontinuous, dynamic recrystallization (DRX). On the other hand. kink bands were observed frequently near corrugated grain boundaries and also in grain interiors, even around e p . The misorientation of the boundaries of the kink bands increases rapidly during strain softening and approaches a saturation value of around 43°. at high strains. The average size of the regions fragmented by kink bands is almost the same as that of the new grains. It is concluded, therefore, that new grain evolution in this alloy is controlled by a deformation-induced continuous reaction, i.e. continuous DRX.
Tm3+-doped CW fiber laser based on a highly GeO2-doped dispersion shifted fiber

All-fiber Tm-laser with 55GeO2-45SiO2 core, pumped at 1560 nm with 37% slope efficiency was demonstrated at 1862 nm. Four-wave mixing owing to a high nonlinearity and shifted to 1.87 µm zero-dispersion-wavelength has been observed.
The Far-Infrared-Radio Correlation in Nearby Abell Clusters

A comprehensive study of the effect of the cluster environment on the far-infrared (FIR)–radio correlation in nearby Abell clusters is presented. Using a cluster radio galaxy database, optical spectroscopy, and high-resolution radio images to remove active galactic nuclei (AGNs), we assess the FIR-radio correlation of cluster galaxies from the centers of the clusters out well past the classical Abell radius. The FIR-radio correlation is shown to hold quite well for star-forming galaxies, and the FIR and radio fluxes for cluster AGNs are also well correlated. In the case of AGNs, the relative radio-to-FIR fluxes are greater and the scatter in the correlation is larger than those seen for star-forming galaxies. We also find that there is a rare but statistically significant excess of star-forming galaxies with enhanced radio emission in the centers of the clusters and that the degree of this enhancement is typically a factor of 2 or 3. The FIR-radio correlation for cluster star-forming galaxies is also tested against the line-of-sight velocity relative to the cluster systemic velocities, but no significant correlation is found. While the radial dependence of the FIR-radio correlation is consistent with the model wherein ram pressure increases the magnetic field strengths of the cluster galaxies through compression, the velocity data do not confirm this model. Although a contribution from ram pressure cannot be ruled out, the thermal pressure due to the ICM alone is an equally viable alternative. The high-resolution radio images largely reject the hypothesis that the increased radio emission arises from an AGN component, strengthening the claim that the change in the correlation is caused by a change in the environment of the galaxies.
Triptolide Prevents Bone Destruction in the Collagen-Induced Arthritis Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis by Targeting RANKL/RANK/OPG Signal Pathway

Focal bone destruction within inflamed joints is the most specific hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our previous study indicated that the therapeutic efficiency of triptolide in RA may be due partially to its chondroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. However, its roles in bone destruction are still unclear. In this study, our data firstly showed the therapeutic effects of triptolide on severity of arthritis and arthritis progression in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice. Then, by micro-CT quantification, triptolide treatment significantly increased bone mineral density, bone volume fraction, and trabecular thickness and decreased trabecular separation of inflamed joints. Interestingly, triptolide treatment could prevent the bone destruction by reducing the number of osteoclasts in inflamed joints, reducing the expression of receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK) ligand (RANKL) and RANK, increasing the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG), at both mRNA and protein levels, and decreasing the ratio of RANKL to OPG in sera and inflamed joints of CIA mice, which were further confirmed in the coculture system of human fibroblast-like synovial and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. These findings offer the convincing evidence for the first time that triptolide may attenuate RA partially by preventing the bone destruction and inhibit osteoclast formation by regulating RANKL/RANK/OPG signal pathway.
Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation Sensation of Presence and Cybersickness in Applications of Virtual Reality for Advanced Rehabilitation Localization of Advanced Rehabilitation

Around three years ago, in the special issue on augmented and virtual reality in rehabilitation, the topics of simulator sickness was briefly discussed in relation to vestibular rehabilitation. Simulator sickness with virtual reality applications have also been referred to as visually induced motion sickness or cybersickness. Recently, study on cybersickness has been reported in entertainment, training, game, and medical environment in several journals. Virtual stimuli can enlarge sensation of presence, but they sometimes also evoke unpleasant sensation. In order to safely apply augmented and virtual reality for long-term rehabilitation treatment, sensation of presence and cybersickness should be appropriately controlled. This issue presents the results of five studies conducted to evaluate visually-induced effects and speculate influences of virtual rehabilitation. In particular, the influence of visual and vestibular stimuli on cardiovascular responses are reported in terms of academic contribution. Sensory and physical assistive devices have long been developed to support impaired functions in patients. Even a powered-suit has recently been developed to strengthen muscle force [1]. Besides, current virtual reality (VR) technology expands not only sensory effects but also physical activities, and the potential effects are expected in rehabilitation engineering [2]. The expecting challenge has been on how to create or promote regular exercises for a variety of individual physical conditions. Figure 1 illustrates recently proposed approaches in advanced rehabilitation according to the type of motor controls (active or passive) and the space of interactions (real or virtual). As shown in Figure 1, active or voluntary physical exercise in the real world increase one's fitness or wellness. However, it needs continuous motivation to keep a habit of regular physical exercise, because people hate sweat and boring repetitive training or exercise. Thus applications to facilitate passive exercises in the real world emerge in the business of health promotion. Mechanically induced motion or electrical stimulations on muscles produce passive exercise. During active exercise, muscles contractions are activated by neu-ral impulses from the brain via the spinal cord to produce voluntary exercise. Reflex, on the other hand, is a reaction to incoming stimuli. Since reflex accompanies with muscle contractions, passive muscle contractions induced by repetitive stimuli have been used to produce passive exercise. Using VR technology, applications can be developed to allow users to experience active or passive exercises in the virtual world without little limitation. Very often, stimuli in VR applications will exceed the normal boundary experienced by users in their daily lives. which …
Estudio por microscopía electrónica y espectroscopía de infra-rojos de capas de SiC obtenidas mediante carburización de obleas de Si

The fabrication and characterization of thin SiC layers obtained by Rapid Thermal Chemical Vapour Deposition (RTCVD) are reported. These SiC layers were grown in a simple home-made system for Si wafers carbonization. The growth process was carried out using a mixture of H 2 and C 3 H 8 as the C precursor. (001) Si was carbonized at atmospheric pressure while (111) and (001) Si surfaces were carbonized at vacuum conditions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy in conventional (CTEM), high resolution (HREM), and electron diffraction (TED) modes, as well as reflectivity Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (R-FTIR) were the techniques used for the structural and compositional studies of these SiC layers that mainly consisted in highly oriented 3C-SiC.
Assessment of insulated conductive cantilevers for biology and electrochemistry

This paper describes the characterization and application of electrically insulated conductive tips mounted on a cantilever for use in an atomic force microscope and operated in liquid. These multifunctional probes were microfabricated and designed for measurements on biological samples in buffer solution, but they can also be employed for electrochemical applications, in particular scanning electrochemical microscopy. The silicon nitride based cantilevers had a spring constant ≤0.1 N m−1 and a conductive tip, which was insulated except at the apex. The conductive core of the tip consisted of a metal, e.g. platinum silicide, and exhibited a typical radius of 15 nm. The mechanical and electrical characterization of the probe is presented and discussed. First measurements on the hexagonally packed intermediate layer of Deinococcus radiodurans demonstrated the possibility to adjust the image contrast by applying a voltage between a support and the conductive tip and to measure variations of less than 1 pA in faradaic current with a lateral resolution of 7.8 nm.
A semantics of object types

We give a semantics for a typed object calculus, an extension of System F with object subsumption and method override. We interpret the calculus in a per model, proving the soundness of both typing and equational rules. This semantics suggests a syntactic translation from our calculus into a simpler calculus with neither subtyping nor objects. <<ETX>>
Burn-Induced Organ Dysfunction: Vagus Nerve Stimulation Improves Cardiac Function

Introduction: Many studies have demonstrated the existence of an anti-inflammatory, parasympathetic pathway, termed as the inflammatory reflex. Burn-induced heart failure has been investigated in many previous studies. Proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, have been shown to play a key pathogenetic role and vagus nerve stimulation attenuates proinflammatory cytokine production. This study was designed to evaluate postburn alterations of cardiac functional parameters after vagal electrostimulation. Material and Methods: A 30% total body surface area standardized, full-thickness rat burn model was used. Electric stimulation of the vagus nerve was performed. The following functional cardiac parameters were measured by ventricular microcatheterization: Maximal and minimal left ventricular pressure, mean left ventricular pressure, end-diastolic pressure (EDP), positive and negative pressure rise and fall (±dP/dt), cardiac contractility index, and assessment of the heart rate. Results: Vagus nerve stimulation improved maximal and minimal left ventricular pressure values compared with burn-only animals. End-diastolic pressure was elevated significantly in stimulated animals; however, EDP values were comparable with those in sham-injured animals. Analyzing positive and negative pressure development, ±dP/dt was restored to levels measured in sham-injured animals but not to control animal levels. No variations in heart rate were found. Conclusion: We as well as others have shown that inflammation after burn injury is a key pathogenetic element, and this study provides new evidence that cardiac function is also improved by vagus nerve stimulation. These results lead us to consider novel therapeutic options for the treatment of postburn cardiac dysfunction.
Enzymatic Saccharification of Cellulose Pretreated from Lignocellulosic Biomass: Status and Prospect

Lignocellulose biomass is the most extensive, cheapest raw material in the world, the saccharification of cellulose pretreated from lignocellulosic biomass for production of fuel ethanol has become the world-wide research focus currently. This paper reviews the status of enzymatic saccharification of pretreated cellulose, including the improvement of structure and composition of the substrate by pretreatment, the operation of high substrate concentration, the efficient mixing of multi-enzyme system, the addition of non-catalyst, the recycling of enzyme, the elimination of product inhibition, and finally summed up the present challenges and the future prospects.
Local Learning Regularized Nonnegative Matrix Factorization

Nonnegative Matrix Factorization (NMF) has been widely used in machine learning and data mining. It aims to find two nonnegative matrices whose product can well approximate the nonnegative data matrix, which naturally lead to parts-based representation. In this paper, we present a local learning regularized nonnegative matrix factorization (LLNMF) for clustering. It imposes an additional constraint on NMF that the cluster label of each point can be predicted by the points in its neighborhood. This constraint encodes both the discriminative information and the geometric structure, and is good at clustering data on manifold. An iterative multiplicative updating algorithm is proposed to optimize the objective, and its convergence is guaranteed theoretically. Experiments on many benchmark data sets demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms NMF as well as many state of the art clustering methods.
Biting Deterrent Activity of a Deet Analog, Two DEPA Analogs, and SS220 Applied Topically to Human Volunteers Compared with Deet Against Three Species of Blood-Feeding Flies

Abstract An earlier in vitro screening of N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (Deet) and N,N-diethylphenylacetamide (DEPA) analogs showed that two DEPA analogs, N,N-diethyl(3-bromophenyl)acetamide and N,N-diethyl[(&agr;,&agr;,&agr;-trifluoro-m-tolyl)]acetamide, and one Deet analog, N,N,-diethyl[3-(trifluoromethyl)]benzamide, had biting-deterrent activities that were superior to Deet against Aedes aegypti (L.) and Anopheles stephensi Liston. In the current study, the three analogs and (1S,2′S)-methylpiperidinyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxamide (SS220) were applied topically to the skin of human volunteers at 24 nmol compound/cm2 skin and compared with the activity of Deet at the same dose against biting by Ae. aegypti, An. stephensi, and Phlebotomus papatasi Scopoli females. SS220 proved to be as effective as Deet against Ae. aegypti and P. papatasi but more effective than Deet against An. stephensi. Contrary to the earlier in vitro tests, results with humans (in vivo testing) showed that neither of the DEPA analogs nor the Deet analog performed more effectively than Deet against the insects. The in vivo results showed that the analogs were not sufficiently effective to warrant further development. Notably, in vivo and in vitro methods used in discovery of personal protection chemicals for human use against blood-feeding flies can both be effective discriminating tools, but results obtained with the respective methods may not always agree. Ultimately, we surmise that in vivo testing methods with humans must be used to discriminate among compounds that superficially seem effective when screened using an in vitro method.
Why are Early Life Stages of Aquatic Organisms more Sensitive to Toxicants than Adults

1.1. The selection of a suitable test species Toxicity tests are designed to determine the specific concentrations of chemicals that induce a measured effect on a target organism. However, the potency of any toxicant can be influenced by the characteristics of the chemical, as well as environmental (temperature, ph, water chemistry, salinity) and species (life stage, sensitivity, pre-exposure) specific factors. Environ‐ mental factors can either modify the toxicant itself or the immediate environment of an organism, increasing or decreasing the effects of the toxicants. Species specific factors can alter the organism/toxicant interaction by modifying the rate of uptake, distribution, elimination and detoxification pathways. Therefore when conducting toxicity tests, it is important to have controlled environmental conditions and select suitable test species to ensure reliable, relevant, reproducible, defensible and ecologically significant results. The selection of a suitable test species can be based on several criteria: • the species should be widely available • they should be easily maintained under laboratory conditions and provide sufficient numbers of an appropriate size and age • the genetics, genetic composition and history of the organisms should be known • they should the most sensitive species in the environment. • should be recreationally, ecologically and commercially important • organisms should be in good physiological condition • it should be indigenous or representative of the eco-region being studies