Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Do epoxy-amine networks become inhomogeneous at the nanometric scale?

Epoxy–amine networks are known to be homogeneous. However, using new analysis tools that allow the observation scale to be reduced to a nanometric level, some authors have stated the opposite. In this work, the network morphology has been studied with atomic force microscopy in the tapping mode as a function of the hardener nature and the stoichiometry of the reactive blend. A very homogeneous epoxy network topography, similar to that of an amorphous thermoplastic, has been obtained. For comparison, a truly heterogeneous network topography, like that of unsaturated thermosets cured by free-radical mechanisms, has been imaged. For the observation of surfaces on a scale smaller than a nanometer, caution must be taken:(1) the tips must be freshly cleaned so that distortion on the image is prevented and (2) the surfaces must be very flat so that the phase contrast is not influenced significantly by differences in the sample topography. This works gives guidelines on using atomic force microscopy in the tapping mode for epoxy–amine network characterization and discusses epoxy–amine network homogeneity. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 2422–2432, 2003
Neuroticism modulates brain visuo‐vestibular and anxiety systems during a virtual rollercoaster task

Different lines of research suggest that anxiety‐related personality traits may influence the visual and vestibular control of balance, although the brain mechanisms underlying this effect remain unclear. To our knowledge, this is the first functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study that investigates how individual differences in neuroticism and introversion, two key personality traits linked to anxiety, modulate brain regional responses and functional connectivity patterns during a fMRI task simulating self‐motion. Twenty‐four healthy individuals with variable levels of neuroticism and introversion underwent fMRI while performing a virtual reality rollercoaster task that included two main types of trials: (1) trials simulating downward or upward self‐motion (vertical motion), and (2) trials simulating self‐motion in horizontal planes (horizontal motion). Regional brain activity and functional connectivity patterns when comparing vertical versus horizontal motion trials were correlated with personality traits of the Five Factor Model (i.e., neuroticism, extraversion‐introversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness). When comparing vertical to horizontal motion trials, we found a positive correlation between neuroticism scores and regional activity in the left parieto‐insular vestibular cortex (PIVC). For the same contrast, increased functional connectivity between the left PIVC and right amygdala was also detected as a function of higher neuroticism scores. Together, these findings provide new evidence that individual differences in personality traits linked to anxiety are significantly associated with changes in the activity and functional connectivity patterns within visuo‐vestibular and anxiety‐related systems during simulated vertical self‐motion. Hum Brain Mapp 38:715–726, 2017. © 2016 The Authors Human Brain Mapping Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Odometer correction method using disturbed environmental magnetic field

So far, we have worked on developing a navigation method using an environmental magnetic field (a magnetic field that occurs in the environment). A 3-axis magnetic sensor is used to detect the environmental magnetic field, which is known as DC magnetic field, and store it on a database. The mobile robot then navigates by matching the magnetic sensor readings against the database. However, cumulative error of odometer caused by wheel slippage and uneven terrain still remains as a major problem. In this study, we aim to propose an odometer correction method using disturbed environmental magnetic field. The cumulative error that occurs during the navigation can be corrected by matching peaks of the magnetic sensor readings against the peaks of the magnetic field stored on the database.
Is Coasting Valuable in All Patients with Any Cause of Infertility?

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to assess the influence of coasting duration on the number and quality of oocytes and fertilization rate in male factor infertile women and those with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS In this prospective observational follow-up study, 114 patients undergoing coasting (53 women with male factor infertility and 61 women with PCOS) were evaluated at the Royan Institute Research Center, Iran, between 2010 and 2012. RESULTS The results were analyzed according to the coasting periods of 1-4 days. In normal females, the number of oocytes retrieved was significantly reduced after the second day (p = 0.004). In addition, a statistically significant drop was observed in the number of metaphase II oocytes and fertilization rate after the third day (p = 0.006 and p = 0.006, respectively). No significant differences were observed in the number and quality of oocytes retrieved and fertilization rate with regard to coasting days in PCOS patients. CONCLUSION Coasting with duration of more than three days should be performed with caution in normal females who are at risk of developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
Research in the Supermolecular Structure and Morphology of Chitosan Applied in the Preparation of Dressing Nonwovens

**Institute of Machine Tools and Production Engineering Lodz University of Technology, ul. Stefanowskiego 1/15, 90-924 Łódź, Poland Abstract Results of research in the preparation of nonwovens containing chitosan salts used as a binding agent are presented. The supermolecular structure of chitosan salts was assessed by the use of wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS). The crystallinity degree and crystal dimensions were examined. Morphology was assessed by means of optical microscopy.
Role of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in human reproduction

As new research reveals, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) plays an effective role in pregnancy success, considering that it not only affects the embryo implantation and ovarian function but also it promotes endometrial thickening and improves the pathophysiology of endometriosis, which all fundamentally lead to reducing pregnancy loss. In this review, we focus on the role of G-CSF in human reproduction. We summarized its role in ovulation, luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome, poor responders, improving repeated in vitro fertilization failure, endometrial receptivity and treatment of thin endometrium, and recurrent spontaneous abortion.
Optical Fiber Grating Hydrogen Sensors: A Review

In terms of hydrogen sensing and detection, optical fiber hydrogen sensors have been a research issue due to their intrinsic safety and good anti-electromagnetic interference. Among these sensors, hydrogen sensors consisting of fiber grating coated with sensitive materials have attracted intensive research interests due to their good reliability and distributed measurements. This review paper mainly focuses on optical fiber hydrogen sensors associated with fiber gratings and various materials. Their configurations and sensing performances proposed by different groups worldwide are reviewed, compared and discussed in this paper. Meanwhile, the challenges for fiber grating hydrogen sensors are also addressed.
BULK MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF COMMERCIAL PARTICLE FOOD FOAMS

The texture of 10 commercial cereal foam products, of different composition and shape, has been evaluated through the measurement of its bulk mechanical properties using a Kramer shear cell. Force–displacement curves led to repeatable measurements, characterized by low standard deviations. Discrimination among samples and relevant mechanical variables were determined by the PCA of these curves. Most of the variability in the force–displacement curves (97%) and mechanical variables (93%) were contained in the two PC1s, and the mechanical behavior of this large variety of cereal foams texture could be explained by two variables: the energy needed for crushing (area under the force–displacement curve) and the slope ratio of the curve. These variables were then respectively related to bulk density, which increased with sugar content, and to the shape factor, evaluated through geometric approximation. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The contribution of this work to the characterization of cereal foam product texture is first, to extend the validation of the Kramer shear cell for assessing the bulk behavior of real products of irregular shape. Low standard deviation and product differentiation among 10 commercial samples shows that this method is reliable enough for quality control of cereal particle foams. Then, by its ability to determine the two most relevant variables from the texture profiles, it allows a deeper look on the relationships between mechanical properties and multi-scale structure, as shown by the relation with apparent bulk density and particle shape, and the role of sugar content. Finally, the relation with former works on cornflakes also suggests the use of these variables for assessing sample crispness.
Test-retest reliability of functional connectivity networks during naturalistic fMRI paradigms

Functional connectivity analysis has become a powerful tool for probing the human brain function and its breakdown in neuropsychiatry disorders. So far, most studies adopted resting state paradigm to examine functional connectivity networks in the brain, thanks to its low demand and high tolerance that are essential for clinical studies. However, the test-retest reliability of resting state connectivity measures is moderate, potentially due to its low behavioral constraint. On the other hand, naturalistic neuroimaging paradigms, an emerging approach for cognitive neuroscience with high ecological validity, could potentially improve the reliability of functional connectivity measures. To test this hypothesis, we characterized the test-retest reliability of functional connectivity measures during a natural viewing condition, and benchmarked it against resting state connectivity measures acquired within the same functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) session. We found that the reliability of connectivity and graph theoretical measures of brain networks is significantly improved during natural viewing conditions over resting state conditions, with an average increase of almost 50% across various connectivity measures. Not only sensory networks for audio-visual processing become more reliable, higher order brain networks, such as default mode and attention networks, also appear to show higher reliability during natural viewing. Our results support the use of natural viewing paradigms in estimating functional connectivity of brain networks, and have important implications for clinical application of fMRI.
Computerized Data Interpretation for Concrete Assessment with Air-Coupled Impact-Echo: An Online Learning Approach

Developing efficient Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled system to substitute human role in 1 non-destructive testing is an emerging topic of considerable interest. In this study, we propose a novel 2 impact-echo analysis system using online machine learning, which aims at achieving near-human 3 performance for assessment of concrete structures. Current computerized impact-echo systems 4 commonly employ lab-scale data to validate the models. In practice, however, the echo patterns can 5 be far more complicated due to varying geometric shapes and materials of structures. To deal with 6 a large variety of unseen data, we propose a sequential treatment for echo characterization. More 7 specifically, the proposed system can adaptively update itself to approaching human performance in 8 impact-echo data interpretation. To this end, a two-stage framework has been introduced, including 9 echo feature extraction and the model updating scheme. Various state-of-the-art online learning 10 algorithms have been reviewed and evaluated for the task. To conduct experimental validation, we 11 collected 10940 echo instances from multiple inspection sites with each sample had been annotated 12 by human experts with healthy/defective condition labels. The results demonstrated that the 13 proposed scheme achieved favorable echo pattern classification accuracy with high efficiency and 14 low computation load. 15
Long-term evaluation of hermetically glass frit sealed silicon to Pyrex wafers with feedthroughs

The reliability of bonding silicon to Pyrex wafers using a reflowed glass frit seal is examined in this paper. The Pyrex wafers have metal feedthroughs, which are used to actuate and capacitively sense a single-crystal, silicon resonator. Long-term, high-temperature storage conditions for chips with and without getters are examined. The reflowed glass seal is demonstrated to be hermetic for years at high temperature using both diaphragm deflection and the Q and frequency of resonators as a vacuum indicator. The use of a thin film getter is found to eliminate Q hysteresis due to gas desorption and adsorption, observed in other resonators studies.
Genital Human Papillomavirus Infection and Associated Penile Intraepithelial Neoplasia in Males Infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus

OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and penile intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) in genital lesions from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)+ men. For comparison, we also investigated the same association using specimens from HIV- men. STUDY DESIGN Imprint smears from penile lesions were obtained from 70 men (mean age, 30 years) who visited a dermatologist. Thirty of them were known to be HIV seropositive. Two study groups were formed: one of 40 HIV- and another of 30 HIV+ males. The smears were examined cytologically for HPV identification or PIN, immunocytochemically for HPV detection and by in situ hybridization for HPV typing. RESULTS The rates of detecting HPV infection cytologically were higher among men with HIV infection (50%) than among their HIV-seronegative counterparts (30%). There was immunocytochemical evidence of HPV in HIV-infected men in a greater proportion (50%) than in HIV noninfected men (37.5%). By in situ hybridization it was found that there was a higher prevalence of potentially oncogenic HPV (16/18, 31/33/35): 75% in moderate or severe dysplasia (PIN 2 and 3) and 66.6% in HIV+ men as compared with HIV- men (10-16.6%). CONCLUSION HIV-seropositive males showed an unbalanced distribution of HPV, with a predominance of "high-risk" HPV types. This suggests that immunodepression encourages infection by this oncogenic virus, thereby contributing to the frequency of precancerous lesions in HIV+ men.
Evaluating the Accuracy of Uterine Cancer Screening with the Regional Cancer Registration System

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of uterine cancer screening by analyzing the accuracy of cervical and endometrial cytodiagnoses as screening methods. STUDY DESIGN During the year of April 1, 1991-March 31, 1992, 186,161 and 5,697 women underwent cervical and endometrial cytodiagnoses, respectively, and their cytodiagnostic results were computer registered at the Miyagi Cancer Society. By comparison of these examinees with 753 cancer patients who were registered at the regional cancer registry between 1991 and 1993, 133 individuals who were assumed to be identical between the two systems were selected, and of these cases, 83 patients, including test-positive cases, were found within one year. The sensitivity and specificity of each screening method were investigated. RESULTS Regarding examinees diagnosed as having cancer by the same month in the following year after diagnosis on screening as false negative, the sensitivity, specificity and false negative rates of cervical cytodiagnosis were 94.7%, 98.9% and 5.3%, respectively, and those of endometrial cytodiagnosis were 83.3%, 96.7% and 16.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION In comparison with the accuracy of cancer examinations for other organs performed by the health care administration, the accuracy of cervical and endometrial cytodiagnoses was sufficient to designate them screening methods.
The Deformation Mechanisms of TWIP Steels (Fe-Mn-C) Viewed by X-Ray Diffraction

Fully austenitic steels of the Fe-Mn-C system can show extensive deformation twinning (TWIP effect). The deformed microstructure of such steels has been analysed using X-ray diffraction at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF). The experimental diffractograms, recorded using a 2D CCD camera, are analysed in terms of Bragg peak profiles (broadening and asymmetry) and position (shift from the reference [undeformed state] position) leading to an estimation of dislocation and stacking faults densities.
X-ray Tomography to Characterize Air Void Distribution in Superpave Gyratory Compacted Specimens

Air void distribution has considerable influence on the mechanical properties of asphalt mixtures. Several factors such as the compaction effort, method of compaction, aggregate gradation, and aggregate shape control the air void distribution. An X-ray computed tomography (CT) system along with image analysis techniques are used in this study for non-destructive characterization of air void distribution in gyratory specimens prepared using different gradations and compaction efforts. The air void distributions in gyratory specimens are quantified using parameters that describe the change in percent and volume of air voids along the horizontal and vertical directions. Air voids are shown to be more concentrated in the top and bottom regions that are in contact with the base plates, as well as in the outer region that is in contact with the mold. The non-uniformity of the distribution increases with an increase in compaction effort. The difference in aggregate gradations used in this study is shown to have just a slight influence on the air void distribution.
Saving water to save the environment: contrasting the effectiveness of environmental and monetary appeals in a residential water saving intervention

Abstract To convince people to reduce their energy consumption, two types of persuasive appeals often are used by environmental organizations: Monetary appeals (i.e., ‘conserving energy will save you money’) and environmental appeals (i.e., ‘conserving energy will protect the environment’). In this field study we aimed to compare the effects of monetary and environmental appeals on showering habits. During two weeks we measured showering behavior in one hundred households. As compared to monetary appeals, environmental appeals were more effective in decreasing participants’ shower frequency. Interestingly, the monetary appeal was judged as somewhat more motivating to save water than the environmental appeal. We discuss theoretical and practical implications of these findings.
Impact Behavior of Composite Hollow Sphere Structures

Porous composite materials constitute an innovative group of lightweight materials which combine high specific stiffness, good damping properties, and thermal insulation with the ability to absorb large amounts of energy at a low constant stress level. In the scope of this study, adhesively bonded metallic hollow sphere structures (MHSS) fully embedded within the adhesive matrix are considered with aim to determine their macroscopic behavior under uniaxial impact loading conditions by means of parametric computational simulations. The base material properties have been determined by quasi-static and dynamic experiments. Three topologies of syntactic hollow sphere structures of various dimensions are considered, namely the cubic primitive, the body centered cubic and the face centered cubic topology. Results of computational simulations show significant influence of topology and strain rate sensitivity on the composite structure behavior, while the influence of metallic hollow sphere wall thickness is less pronounced. Computational simulations show that it is possible to combine the MHSS topology, metallic hollow sphere wall thickness and strain rate sensitivity to achieve any desired dynamic response of MHSS adapted to a given engineering problem.
Intercellular calcium communication regulates platelet aggregation and thrombus growth

The ability of platelets to form stable adhesion contacts with other activated platelets (platelet cohesion or aggregation) at sites of vascular injury is essential for hemostasis and thrombosis. In this study, we have examined the mechanisms regulating cytosolic calcium flux during the development of platelet–platelet adhesion contacts under the influence of flow. An examination of platelet calcium flux during platelet aggregate formation in vitro demonstrated a key role for intercellular calcium communication (ICC) in regulating the recruitment of translocating platelets into developing aggregates. We demonstrate that ICC is primarily mediated by a signaling mechanism operating between integrin αIIbβ3 and the recently cloned ADP purinergic receptor P2Y12. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the efficiency by which calcium signals are propagated within platelet aggregates plays an important role in dictating the rate and extent of thrombus growth.
Screening for PPAR Non-Agonist Ligands Followed by Characterization of a Hit, AM-879, with Additional No-Adipogenic and cdk5-Mediated Phosphorylation Inhibition Properties

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a member of a nuclear receptor superfamily and acts as a ligand-dependent transcription factor, playing key roles in maintenance of adipose tissue and in regulation of glucose and lipid homeostasis. This receptor is the target of thiazolidinediones, a class of antidiabetic drugs, which improve insulin sensitization and regulate glycemia in type 2 diabetes. Despite the beneficial effects of drugs, such as rosiglitazone and pioglitazone, their use is associated with several side effects, including weight gain, heart failure, and liver disease, since these drugs induce full activation of the receptor. By contrast, a promising activation-independent mechanism that involves the inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5)-mediated PPARγ phosphorylation has been related to the insulin-sensitizing effects induced by these drugs. Thus, we aimed to identify novel PPARγ ligands that do not possess agonist properties by conducting a mini-trial with 80 compounds using the sequential steps of thermal shift assay, 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid fluorescence quenching, and a cell-based transactivation assay. We identified two non-agonist PPARγ ligands, AM-879 and P11, and one partial-agonist, R32. Using fluorescence anisotropy, we show that AM-879 does not dissociate the NCOR corepressor in vitro, and it has only a small effect on TRAP coactivator recruitment. In cells, AM-879 could not induce adipocyte differentiation or positively regulate the expression of genes associated with adipogenesis. In addition, AM-879 inhibited CDK5-mediated phosphorylation of PPARγ in vitro. Taken together, these findings supported an interaction between AM-879 and PPARγ; this interaction was identified by the analysis of the crystal structure of the PPARγ:AM-879 complex and evidenced by AM-879’s mechanism of action as a putative PPARγ non-agonist with antidiabetic properties. Moreover, we present an optimized assay pipeline capable of detecting ligands that physically bind to PPARγ but do not cause its activation as a new strategy to identify ligands for this nuclear receptor.
Primary ovarian insufficiency: an update

Primary ovarian insufficiency is a condition that represents impaired ovarian function on a continuum with intermittent ovulation. This condition commonly leads to premature menopause, defined as cessation of ovulation prior to the age of 40 years. Because there are potential immediate and long-term consequences of hypoestrogenism, a timely diagnosis is invaluable. This comprehensive review will discuss identifiable causes for primary ovarian insufficiency, including genetic disorders and metabolic abnormalities, as well as review current strategies for diagnosis, evaluation, and management of women with this condition.