Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experimental Study on the Minimum Undeformed Chip Thickness Based on Effective Rake Angle in Micro Milling

Micro milling is widely used to manufacture micro parts due to its obvious advantages. The minimum undeformed chip thickness, the effective rake angle, and size effect are the typical characteristics and closely related to each other in micro milling. In this paper, the averaging method is proposed to quantitatively estimate the effective rake angle in the cutting process. The minimum undeformed chip thickness is explained based on the effective rake angle and determined to be 0.17 rn (tool cutting edge radius). Then, micro milling experiment was conducted to study the effect of the minimum undeformed chip thickness. It is found that the minimum undeformed chip thickness results in the unstable cutting process, the uneven peaks on cutting force signal, and the dense characteristic frequency distribution on frequency domain signal. The dominant ploughing effect induces the great specific cutting energy and the deteriorated surface roughness due to the minimum undeformed chip thickness.
AtPME17 is a functional Arabidopsis thaliana pectin methylesterase regulated by its PRO region that triggers PME activity in the resistance to Botrytis cinerea

Abstract Pectin is synthesized in a highly methylesterified form in the Golgi cisternae and partially de‐methylesterified in muro by pectin methylesterases (PMEs). Arabidopsis thaliana produces a local and strong induction of PME activity during the infection of the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea. AtPME17 is a putative A. thaliana PME highly induced in response to B. cinerea. Here, a fine tuning of AtPME17 expression by different defence hormones was identified. Our genetic evidence demonstrates that AtPME17 strongly contributes to the pathogen‐induced PME activity and resistance against B. cinerea by triggering jasmonic acid–ethylene‐dependent PDF1.2 expression. AtPME17 belongs to group 2 isoforms of PMEs characterized by a PME domain preceded by an N‐terminal PRO region. However, the biochemical evidence for AtPME17 as a functional PME is still lacking and the role played by its PRO region is not known. Using the Pichia pastoris expression system, we demonstrate that AtPME17 is a functional PME with activity favoured by an increase in pH. AtPME17 performs a blockwise pattern of pectin de‐methylesterification that favours the formation of egg‐box structures between homogalacturonans. Recombinant AtPME17 expression in Escherichia coli reveals that the PRO region acts as an intramolecular inhibitor of AtPME17 activity.
The Presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the Integrated Poultry Industry

Abstract This study attempted to determine if Listeria monocytogenes enters the processing plant on the live bird as presented to the processing plant, and if so, what sources contribute to the contamination of live poultry. Samples were taken at the beginning of the broiler chick's life (in the hatchery), at the end of finished grow-out period (as the broiler chicken entered the processing plant), and as fully processed carcasses in the processing plant. Listeria monocytogenes was found on 6% of the egg fragments and on 1% of the chick transport pads. Only 1 of 115 whole bird rinses and none of the 115 ceca were contaminated upon entering the processing plant. After processing, 27 of 105 (25.7%) carcasses were positive for L. monocytogenes. These data suggest that Listeria infrequently enters the processing plant on the live broiler animals. However, the organism appears to take up residence in the processing plant, a situation which ultimately leads to cross contamination during processing.
The Cost of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Cognitive Demands on Auditory Functioning in Older Adults With Normal Hearing or Using Hearing Aids

Objectives: We investigated the impact of both intrinsic and extrinsic cognitive demands on auditory and secondary task performance in older adults with normal hearing (NH) and adults using hearing aids (HAs) in an ecologically relevant listening environment. Design: Fifteen adults with NH and 15 adults using HAs (60 to 72 years of age) were recruited to perform the “Audiovisual True-to-Life Assessment of Auditory Rehabilitation”-paradigm (AVATAR), which combines an auditory-visual speech-in-noise task with three secondary tasks on either auditory localization or visual short-term memory in a preload multitask paradigm. Intrinsic demands were altered by presenting speech either at equivalent speech accuracy levels of 50% correct (SPIN50%) or equivalent speech-to-noise ratios of +5dB SNR (SPIN+5dB). We manipulated the amount of extrinsic cognitive demands by including one (dual condition) or three secondary tasks (quadruple condition). Performance decrements on the secondary tasks were considered to reflect an increase in resource allocation to speech understanding and thus an increase in listening effort. In addition, we administered a cognitive test battery as well as a questionnaire on self-reported hearing difficulties and subjective measures of effort and motivation. Results: Speech understanding and secondary task performance on the visual short-term memory task were lower in the SPIN50% condition compared to SPIN+5dB. Whereas speech understanding at SPIN50% was equally high in the dual and quadruple conditions, the quadruple condition resulted in lower secondary task performance on the visual short-term memory task, higher levels of self-reported effort, and lower motivation compared to the dual-task condition. The same was true for experimental conditions at SPIN+5dB. Additionally, adults with NH outperformed adults using HAs on speech understanding, auditory localization, and self-reported hearing abilities, but no group differences were observed on secondary task costs or cognitive measures. Conclusions: This study showed that, irrespective of the hearing status of the listener, speech performance was not affected by the amount of extrinsic cognitive demands, but was worse and required more effort under conditions with a more negative SNR. Also, increasing the extrinsic cognitive demands resulted in lower performance on one of the secondary tasks, suggesting that more complex listening environments require more effort. Although adults with NH outperformed HA users on speech understanding and auditory localization, the two groups did not differ with respect to secondary task costs.
Molecular Origins of Heteroatom Engineering on the Emission Wavelength Tuning, Quantum Yield Variations and Fluorogenicity of NBD-like SCOTfluors.

Molecular engineering of fluorophore scaffolds, especially heteroatom replacement, is a promising method to yield novel fluorophores with tailored properties for various applications. Yet, molecular origins of the distinct fluorescent properties in newly developed SCOTfluors, i.e., varied emission wavelengths, distinct quantum yields, and fluorogenicity, remain elusive. Such understanding, however, is critical for the rational molecular engineering of high-performance fluorophores. Herein, we employed quantum chemical calculations to understand the structure-property relationships of nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBD)-like SCOTfluors. Our findings are important not only for the rational deployment of SCOTfluors, but also for the effective modifications of other fluorophore scaffolds, for satisfying the increasingly diversified requirements of bioimaging and biosensing applications.
EPS mid-career prize 2018: Inference within episodic memory reflects pattern completion

Recollection of episodic memories is a process of reconstruction where coherent events are inferred from subsets of remembered associations. Here, we investigated the formation of multielement events from sequential presentation of overlapping pairs of elements (people, places, and objects/animals), interleaved with pairs from other events. Retrievals of paired associations from a fully observed event (e.g., AB, BC, AC) were statistically dependent, indicating a process of pattern completion, but retrievals from a partially observed event (e.g., AB, BC, CD) were not. However, inference for unseen “indirect” associations (i.e., AC, BD or AD) from a partially observed event showed strong dependency with each other and with linking direct associations from that event. In addition, inference of indirect associations correlated with the product of performance on the linking direct associations across events (e.g., AC with ABxBC) but not on the non-linking association (e.g., AC with CD). These results were seen across three experiments, with greater differences in dependency between indirect and direct associations when they were separately tested, but similar results following single and repeated presentations of the direct associations. The results could be accounted for by a simple auto-associative network model of hippocampal memory function. Our findings suggest that pattern completion supports recollection of fully observed multielement events and the inference of indirect associations in partly observed multielement events, mediated via the directly observed linking associations (although the direct associations themselves were retrieved independently). Together with previous work, our results suggest that associative inference plays a key role in reconstructive episodic memory and does so through hippocampal pattern completion.
CHROMOSOME PAIRING AND FERTILITY OF F1 HYBRIDS OF AEGILOPS LONGISSIMA AND AE. SEARSII

The recently described Aegilops searsii Feld. &Kis. is morphologically closely related to Ae. longissima Schweinf. et Muschl. The cytogenetic affinity of these two species was estimated by studying karyotypes, chromosomal pairing, pollen fertility and seed set in parental lines and in intra- and inter-specific F1 hybrids. Pairing in Ae. longissima × Ae. searsii hybrids was incomplete and indicative of several structural rearrangements of parental chromosomes. The hybrids were highly sterile, indicating that the two species are well isolated from one another by internal chromosomal and genetic barriers. These isolating mechanisms are superimposed upon strong ecological specialization of each species. The data further support the validity of the specific rank of Ae. searsii and indicate that it contains a distinct genome which was designated Ss.
Molecular mechanism of TLR4 mediated T cell immune effect in transfusion-induced acute lung injury based on Slit2/Robo4 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To explore and investigate the molecular mechanism of TLR4 mediated T cell immune effect in transfusion-induced acute injury based on SLIT2/ROBO4 signaling pathway. METHODS Sixty C57/BL6 male mice (Wild type, WT) aged 8 to 10 weeks were randomly divided into 5 groups: 1) normal type WT, 2) LPS control group of WT type lipopolysaccharide, 3) WT type TRALI group (LPS + MHC-I mAb), 4) (TLR4 antibody) lipopolysaccharide LPS control group, 5) (TLR4 antibody) TRALI group (LPS + MHC-I mAb). Mice were dosed with LPS (0.1 mg / kg), and MHC-I mAb (2 mg / kg) was injected into the tail vein 24 hours later for modeling. After 2 hours, mice were sacrificed and experimental samples were collected. HE staining was performed to detect pathological features. The myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and the level of IL-2, IL-6, TNF, IFN-γ, IL-17A as well as IL-10 were measured in the lung tissue homogenate supernatant. Blood, spleen single cell suspension and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected to detect the ratio of Treg and Th17 cells by flow cytometry, respectively. RT-PCR and WB indicated the mRNA or protein expression of CDH5 (Cadherin-5), SLIT2 and ROBO4 in mouse lung tissue and pulmonary vascular tissue respectively. RESULTS TLR4 mAb treatment decreases the pathological features of LPS induced ALI model in vivo. And so does the MPO activity as well as the level of proinflammatory factors in the lung tissue. TLR4 exerts its function through the changes of Treg/Th17 ratio via SLIT2/ROBO4 signaling pathway and downregulating CDH5 and SETSIP in ALI model. CONCLUSION TLR4 mediates immune response in LPS induced ALI model through SLIT2/ROBO4 signaling pathway.
Role of Protein Kinase CK2 in Aberrant Lipid Metabolism in Cancer

Uncontrolled proliferation is a feature defining cancer and it is linked to the ability of cancer cells to effectively adapt their metabolic needs in response to a harsh tumor environment. Metabolic reprogramming is considered a hallmark of cancer and includes increased glucose uptake and processing, and increased glutamine utilization, but also the deregulation of lipid and cholesterol-associated signal transduction, as highlighted in recent years. In the first part of the review, we will (i) provide an overview of the major types of lipids found in eukaryotic cells and their importance as mediators of intracellular signaling pathways (ii) analyze the main metabolic changes occurring in cancer development and the role of oncogenic signaling in supporting aberrant lipid metabolism and (iii) discuss combination strategies as powerful new approaches to cancer treatment. The second part of the review will address the emerging role of CK2, a conserved serine/threonine protein kinase, in lipid homeostasis with an emphasis regarding its function in lipogenesis and adipogenesis. Evidence will be provided that CK2 regulates these processes at multiple levels. This suggests that its pharmacological inhibition combined with dietary restrictions and/or inhibitors of metabolic targets could represent an effective way to undermine the dependency of cancer cells on lipids to interfere with tumor progression.
Uncovering the release mechanism of nucleotide import by HIV-1 capsid

Efficient nucleotide import is critical to fuel the reverse DNA synthesis that takes place within the HIV-1 capsid. However, the mechanism by which the HIV-1 capsid imports nucleotides is presently unclear. In this work, we carry out a series of Brownian diffusion simulations to elucidate the nucleotide import process through the hexamer pores of the HIV-1 capsid. Our simulations reveal a significant role of the electrostatic field in the import process and the mechanism by which deoxynucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs) diffuse through the arginine ring: specifically, how IP6s and ATPs, though competing with dNTPs for binding at the pore of the arginine ring, end up accelerating the dNTP import rate by thousands of folds so that it is sufficiently high to fuel the encapsidated DNA synthesis.
Interaction Between the 5-Hydroxytryptamine Transporter-Linked Polymorphic Region (5-HTTLPR) and Negative Life Events in Adolescent Heavy Drinking.

OBJECTIVE This study investigates whether the reciprocal associations between negative life events and drinking over time differ as a function of 5-HTTLPR (5-hydroxytryptamine [serotonin] transporter-linked polymorphic region) genotype (i.e., candidate gene and environment interaction and correlation) using large and population-based prospective data from adolescents. METHOD A total of 4,916 White adolescents in the United Kingdom (mean ages = 16, 17, and 18 years old over three assessment points; 47% female) were used. Tri-allelic 5-HTTLPR genotype was assessed; negative life events were assessed at ages 16 and 17; and frequency of heavy drinking was assessed at ages 16, 17, and 18. Path analyses after controlling for covariate interactions and multigroup cross-lagged analyses were conducted. RESULTS The null findings of candidate gene and environment interaction and correlation were found in the path analyses controlling for covariate interactions, and they were replicated in the multigroup cross-lagged analyses. No moderation by 5-HTTLPR in the association of negative life events at age 16 with heavy drinking at age 17 as well as no association of negative life events at age 17 with heavy drinking at age 18 were found. Also, the 5-HTTLPR genotype did not moderate the association of heavy drinking at age 16 with negative life events at age 17. CONCLUSIONS Using large prospective data, it appears that there is no evidence for 5-HTTLPR-moderated drinking following experience of negative life events and no support for 5-HTTLPR-moderated selection to negative life events among mid/late adolescents. This finding may inform developmental patterns in gene and environment interaction effects by showing that the effects are less pronounced in mid/late adolescence than in early adolescence.
Histology of the Preparietal: A Neomorphic Cranial Element in Dicynodont Therapsids

ABSTRACT The preparietal, a neomorphic midline ossification on the skull roof, is thought to have evolved three times in therapsids, but its development and homology remain poorly understood. Here, we provide preliminary data on the histology of this element in specimens referred to Diictodon feliceps and an indeterminate species of Lystrosaurus. The preparietal has previously been noted to vary substantially in its shape on the dorsal surface of the skull in several dicynodonts, and we found similar variation in thin section. In Diictodon, the preparietal forms a prong that embeds itself entirely within the frontals and shows evidence of a midline suture anteriorly. The sectioned specimen of Lystrosaurus shows histological evidence of immaturity and features a well-defined midline suture at the posterior end of the preparietal, although an anterior prong was not present. In both taxa, the anteroventral portion of the preparietal forms a strongly interdigitating suture with the underlying frontals and parietals. More posteriorly, the preparietal is composed of fibrolamellar bone suggestive of rapid posteroventral growth. In large dicynodont species, the dorsal expression of the preparietal appears to show negative allometry compared with other cranial roofing elements during ontogeny, but the significance of this geometry is unclear. In addition, histological work is needed on the preparietal in gorgonopsians and biarmosuchians to determine whether the features characterizing dicynodonts are also seen in the other two groups of therapsids that evolved a preparietal. The therapsid preparietal provides a rare opportunity to study the development and evolution of a neomorphic cranial element in the vertebrate fossil record.
Predator-borne acoustic transceivers and GPS tracking reveal spatiotemporal patterns of encounters with acoustically tagged fish in the open ocean

Pinnipeds are abundant upper trophic level predators in many marine ecosystems. Top-down effects of their consumption can play important roles in ecosystem structure and func- tioning. However, interactions between pinnipeds and their prey remain poorly understood due to their inaccessibility while foraging at sea. This uncertainty has fueled debate on the impact of seal predation on fish stocks of commercial or conservation interest. Here, we show that a novel com- bination of acoustic (Vemco Mobile Transceiver, VMT) and GPS technology can be used to deter- mine the spatial and temporal pattern of interactions between grey seals Halichoerus grypus and fish species in 2 large marine ecosystems, the Eastern Scotian Shelf and the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada. During 4 yr of study, the VMT on 9 of 64 adult grey seals recorded detections from 3 species of fish, namely 17 adult Atlantic cod Gadus morhua, 7 Atlantic salmon Salmo salar and 1 American eel Anguilla rostrata implanted with coded acoustic tags. An examination of the temporal and spatial pattern of these sealfish interactions suggested that 1 salmon and 2 cod might have been predated on. However, to have confidence in the occurrence of a predation event, more conclusive evidence is required, which may be gathered through validation experi- ments. These preliminary results provide proof-of-concept that large upper trophic level marine predators fitted with VMT and GPS tags can provide information on species locations in areas where fixed receiver arrays are not present and allow new insights into the nature of interspecies interactions in otherwise inaccessible environments.
Critically appraising the pitfalls of screen time effects research

Existing recommendations regulating screen time use and studies investigating its effects are inherently problematic for two main reasons. First, they imply that screen time activities are essentially the same in nature regardless of what type of digital content is being consumed. This phenomenon has been described as monolithic screen time, which refers to an assessment approach to screen time implying that all screen time activities are qualitatively and psychologically equivalent. This assessment may be one of the main reasons leading researchers to report conflicting evidence in relation to the potential role of screen time in enhancing and/ or deteriorating psychological health and well-being of users. Although research has shown that screen time activities can lead to distinct psychological outcomes depending on which digital activity is engaged, researchers are still conducting large-scale studies assessing screen time in methodologically flawed ways due to poor operationalization and assessment through problematic single-item questions (e.g. Orben et al., 2019; Przybylski et al., 2019). This assessment approach signifies that all screen time activities are created equal and it overlooks the mounting body of evidence suggesting that digital technology activities can elicit different effects (Pontes, 2017). For instance, screen time associated with gaming has been consistently shown to generate addictive-like effects leading to deteriorated psychological health, well-being, and overall functioning much more so than screen time associated with banking or sending emails. Second, research on screen time does not acknowledge the unique behavioural context and users’ patterns of engagement with screen time activities, creating a contextual void in relation to the investigation of screen time effects. Acknowledging the context in which screen time takes place is critical to inform research that can capture users’ individual differences and inclinations towards technology use. Researchers have now shown that specific personality traits have been linked to different patterns of screen time use, with compulsive and impulsive traits often leading to more harmful technology use. Notwithstanding this, existing research exploring the role of screen time on psychological well-being often fails to account for users’ different patterns of engagement with screen time activities by statistically controlling for the potential confounding effects due to individual differences. As the use of digital technology continues to increase worldwide, scientists will be integral in generating robust evidence-based preventive solutions to help society tackle the potential for harmful effects arising from screen time.
Mathematical modeling of the impact of recirculation on exchange kinetics in tandem extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and therapeutic plasma exchange

Vascular access connection configurations during tandem extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) may impact exchange kinetics. In these tandem procedures, typically the TPE inlet line is proximal to the TPE return line with respect to blood flow in the ECMO device, maximizing the opportunity for replacement fluid homogenization within the ECMO circuit. However, if TPE inlet and return line connections are switched, recirculation—a phenomenon in which replacement fluid leaving the TPE return line is prematurely drawn into the TPE inlet line prior to satisfactory homogenization within the ECMO circuit—will occur. Such recirculation could diminish TPE efficacy in patients on ECMO and mitigate therapeutic benefits. Using a mathematical model of recirculation in tandem ECMO and TPE, we demonstrate that the predicted impact of recirculation is negligible and vascular access connection positioning does not appear to be a point of clinical concern with regard to TPE kinetics.