Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The hard problem: Mechanotransduction perpetuates the myofibroblast phenotype in scleroderma fibrosis

The effector cells ultimately responsible for fibrosis are myofibroblasts. In the fibrotic autoimmune connective tissue disease scleroderma, myofibroblasts are autonomously activated, and retain their phenotype upon culturing. Since the 1990s, researchers have exploited this fact to use scleroderma fibroblasts as a model system to uncover the fundamental mechanisms underlying myofibroblast persistence in fibrotic conditions. These studies have suggested that an autocrine transforming growth factor (TGF)beta signaling loop is insufficient to explain the persistent myofibroblast phenotype but instead support the hypothesis that fibrotic myofibroblasts possess an intrinsically activated pro‐adhesive signaling pathway, and that this contributes to the perpetuation of pathological fibrosis. This review focuses on these observations.
Physical aging of poly(ether sulfone)‐modified epoxy resin

The physical aging process of 4,4′-diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS) cured diglycidyl ether bisphenol-A (DGEBA) blended with poly(ether sulfone) (PES) was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at four aging temperatures between Tg-50°C and Tg-10°C. At aging temperatures between Tg-50 and Tg-30°C, the experimental results of epoxy resin blended with 20 wt% of PES showed two enthalpy relaxation processes. One relaxation process was due to the physical aging of PES, the other relaxation process was due to the physical aging of epoxy resin. The distribution of enthalpy relaxation process due to physical aging of epoxy resin in the blend was broader and the characteristic relaxation time shorter than those of pure epoxy resin at the above aging temperatures (between Tg-50 and Tg-30°C). At an aging temperature between Tg-30 and Tg-10°C, only one enthalpy relaxation process was found for the epoxy resin blended with PES, the relaxation process was similar to that of pure epoxy resin. The enthalpy relaxation process due to the physical aging of PES in the epoxy matrix was similar to that of pure PES at aging temperatures between Tg-50 and Tg-10°C. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Effect of Volatile Organic Compounds Adsorption on 3D-Printed PEGDA:PEDOT for Long-Term Monitoring Devices

We report on the preparation and stereolithographic 3D printing of a resin based on the composite between a poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) host matrix and a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) filler, and the related cumulative volatile organic compounds’ (VOCs) adsorbent properties. The control of all the steps for resin preparation and printing through morphological (SEM), structural (Raman spectroscopy) and functional (I/V measurements) characterizations allowed us to obtain conductive 3D objects of complex and reproducible geometry. These systems can interact with chemical vapors in the long term by providing a consistent and detectable variation of their structural and conductive characteristics. The materials and the manufacture protocol here reported thus propose an innovative and versatile technology for VOCs monitoring systems based on cumulative adsorption effects.
Effective thermal conductivity of potato during frying: Measurement and modeling

Abstract The effective thermal conductivities of potato were measured at various stages of the frying process. Samples were taken at 30 s intervals during frying, and two different methods (line heat source and modified Fitch method) were used to measure the effective thermal conductivity. An iterative Kopelman model was used for the prediction of thermal properties. The effective thermal conductivity decreased as frying time increased. The variation of experimental measurements by both methods and modeling were within 10% over most of the range studied. The probe method yielded values that were not significantly different than the modified Fitch method. Lower standard deviations were obtained with the modified Fitch method.
Critical role of neutralizing antibody for SARS-CoV-2 reinfection and transmission

ABSTRACT Cases of laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 reinfection have been reported in a number of countries. Further, the level of natural immunity induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection is not fully clear, nor is it clear if a primary infection is protective against reinfection. To investigate the potential association between serum antibody titres and reinfection of SARS-CoV-2, ferrets with different levels of NAb titres after primary SARS-CoV-2 infection were subjected to reinfection with a heterologous SARS-CoV-2 strain. All heterologous SARS-CoV-2 reinfected ferrets showed active virus replication in the upper respiratory and gastro-intestinal tracts. However, the high NAb titre group showed attenuated viral replication and rapid viral clearance. In addition, direct-contact transmission was observed only from reinfected ferrets with low NAb titres (<20), and not from other groups. Further, lung histopathology demonstrated the presence of limited inflammatory regions in the high NAb titre groups compared with control and low NAb groups. This study demonstrates a close correlation between a low NAb titre and SARS-CoV-2 reinfection in a recovered ferret reinfection model.
Glucocorticoids and the brain after critical illness.

Treatment for critical illness typically focuses on a patient's short-term physical recovery; however, recent work has broadened our understanding of the long-term implications of illness and treatment strategies. In particular, survivors of critical illness have significantly elevated risk of developing lasting cognitive impairment and psychiatric disorders. In this review, we examine the role of endogenous and exogenous glucocorticoids in neuropsychiatric outcomes following critical illness. Illness is marked by acute elevation of free cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) suppression, which typically normalize after recovery; however, prolonged dysregulation can sometimes occur. High glucocorticoid levels can cause lasting alterations to the plasticity and structural integrity of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, and this mechanism may plausibly contribute to impaired memory and cognition in critical illness survivors, though specific evidence is lacking. Glucocorticoids may also exacerbate inflammation-associated neural damage. Conversely, current evidence indicates that glucocorticoids during illness may protect against the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We propose future directions for research in this field, including determining the role of persistent glucocorticoid elevations after illness in neuropsychiatric outcomes, the role of systemic vs. neuroinflammation, and probing unexplored lines of investigation on the role of mineralocorticoid receptors and the gut-brain axis. Progress toward personalized medicine in this area has the potential to produce tangible improvements to the lives patients after a critical illness, including Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Furanoflavones and other chemical constituents of Lonchocarpus obtusos

Two new furanoflavonoids, 5-hydroxy-2’’-isopropenyl-3-methoxyfurane-(2",3":7,8)-flavone and 5-hydroxy-2’’-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-3-methoxyfurane-(2",3":7,8)-flavone, along with thirteen other known compounds, were isolated from the root barks of Lonchocarpus obtusus (Leguminosae). The structures of all compounds were determined by spectrometric methods such as 1D and 2D NMR (COSY, HSQC and HMBC) and HREISMS beside comparison with spectral data for similar compounds.
Initial Session Effects of Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia: A Secondary Analysis of A Small Randomized Pilot Trial

ABSTRACT Objective/Background: While cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is typically delivered over six-eight sessions, the field has introduced ever briefer versions. We examined session by session effects on both insomnia and depression outcomes in a brief, four-session version of CBT-I. Participants: This is a secondary analysis of data drawn from participants randomized to brief cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (bCBTi) in a pilot clinical trial. All participants (n = 19) were veterans enrolled in primary care who screened positive for insomnia and co-occurring PTSD and/or depression. Methods: Participants received four, weekly, individual sessions of bCBTi during which they provided self-report data on insomnia, depression, and sleep parameters over the preceding week. Baseline and follow-up assessments were also collected. Results: Changes in insomnia and depression severity between baseline and the beginning of session one were non-significant. Statistically significant decreases were observed, however, for insomnia severity between sessions one to two (g = −.65) and sessions two to three (g = −.59). This pattern was mirrored for depression severity with significant decreases between sessions one and two (g = −.65) and sessions two to three (g = −.68). However, there was little change for either outcome from session three to session four (insomnia g = −.16; depression g = −.14). Conclusions: This session by session analyses of bCBTi revealed that the majority of the treatment effect occurred over the first two sessions. Findings suggest that even brief interventions addressing insomnia may have a positive impact on both insomnia and co-occurring depression.
Response of meat chickens to different sources of arginine in low-protein diets.

Arginine activity in broiler diets can be supplied by L-arginine (Arg), guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) and L-citrulline (Cit), all of which are commercially available. This study was conducted to assess the effects of Arg source and level on broiler performance, nutrient digestibility and carcass parameters. Day-old Ross 308 cockerels (n = 768) were assigned to one of eight dietary treatments using a completely randomized design: normal protein (NP), low protein deficient in Arg (LP) and LP with two levels of either Arg (0.238% and 0.476%), GAA (0.309% and 0.618%) or Cit (0.238 and 0.476%). The LP was 5 percentage points lower in protein level than the NP. Wheat, sorghum, soya bean meal, canola meal, and meat and bone meal-based diets were fed over three feeding phases to 6 replicate floor pens with 16 birds each. Compared to NP, birds fed LP had reduced feed intake (FI, p < 0.001), reduced body weight gain (BWG, p < 0.001) and increased feed conversion ratio (FCR, p < 0.001) from day 0 to day 35. Additions of Arg or Cit to the LP at both levels resulted in increased BWG and reduced FCR (p < 0.05). Birds fed LP with GAA added had lower FCR (p < 0.05) but not higher BWG (p > 0.05) compared with the LP observed from day 0 to day 35. Supplementation of Arg, Cit and the low level of GAA to LP resulted in increased carcass yield, bone length, diameter and ash (p < 0.05) but did not increase ileal energy or nitrogen digestibility (p > 0.05). The findings indicate that Cit is an efficacious source of Arg activity in Arg-deficient diets.
Proximate and mineral composition of four edible mushroom species from South India

Results of proximate analysis of four edible species of mushroom collected from different parts of IIT Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. , indicate that Auricularia polytricha was a very good source of crude protein (37%), crude fiber (21.97%), ash (6.87%), calcium (607 mg/g dry weight) and manganese (136 mg/kg dry weight (dw). Macrolepiota rhodocus was the richest in carbohydrate (48%) and magnesium (250 mg/g), while Clitocybe sp was richest in moisture content (21%), iron (1230 mg/g) and copper (9.0 mg/g). It is also a good source of carbohydrate (42%), calcium (208 mg/g) and manganese (120 mg/g). Lentinus tigrinus was, however, the richest in dry matter (94%), and is also rich in carbohydrate (60%), magnesium (14 mg/g) and copper (1.2 mg/g). It was observed that lipids, sodium and phosphorus contents of the four species were generally very low. Key words: Edible mushrooms; food composition.
Influence of microstructure on macroscopic elastic properties and thermal expansion of nickel‐base superalloys ERBO/1 and LEK94

In the present work the thermal expansion and the elastic properties of second generation nickel‐base superalloy single crystals ERBO/1 (CMSX‐4 variation) and LEK94 have been studied between about 100 K and 1273 K using dilatometry and resonant ultrasound spectroscopy, respectively. Inhomogeneity related to the large scale microstructure of the samples can act as a potential source of scatter for the propagation of ultrasonic waves. This can be overcome by choosing samples of sufficient size so that they appear as homogeneous media at the scale of the elastic wave length. Our final results are in good agreement with data reported in literature for similar alloy systems. In particular, the elastic material properties are only weekly affected by moderate variations in chemical composition and microstructure. Taking into account literature data for other superalloys like CMSX‐4, we derive general polynomial functions which describe the temperature dependence of the elastic moduli E〈100〉, E〈110〉 and E〈111〉 in nickel‐base superalloys to within about ±3%. It was also observed that the alloys ERBO/1 and LEK94 show weak but significant anomalies in both thermal expansion and temperature coefficients of elastic constants above about 900 K. These anomalies are probably related to the gradual dissolution of the γ′‐precipitates at higher temperatures.
The expression of myeloperoxidase in thrombi is associated with reduced heme oxygenase‐1 induction and worse left ventricular remodeling in patients with acute ST‐elevation myocardial infarction

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) secreted by neutrophils is the enzyme that kills bacteria and other pathogens. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is usually caused by thrombosis in response to vulnerable plaque rupture. Circulating MPO was found to be associated with increased mortality in AMI patients. However, the relationship between MPO in thrombi and the prognosis of AMI patients remains unknown.
Why Do Women Talk About It? Reasons for Disclosure of Sexual Victimization and Associated Symptomology

Many sexual victimization survivors disclose their experience; however, there is limited research investigating why women disclose this experience and how reasons relate to psychopathology. The current online study aims to further understand the experiences of 142 female survivors (aged 18–29 years) by identifying their reason for disclosure and investigating how reasons relate to self-reported depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomology. Qualitative analyses identified two reasons: intentional and elicited disclosures. Hierarchical linear regressions revealed that elicited disclosures were associated with higher PTSD symptomology than intentional disclosures above and beyond relevant covariates, suggesting that disclosure reason is an important factor in the recovery process.
Adolescent and Adult Correlates of Prescription Opioid Use and Misuse in Adulthood: Associations Across Domains of Despair

Abstract Objective: Given continued increases in “deaths of despair”, there is a need to examine associations of factors across multiple domains of despair (i.e. cognitive, emotional, behavioral, biological) with opioid-related behaviors. An understanding of current and early life correlates of prescription opioid behaviors can help inform clinical care, public health interventions, and future life course research. Methods: Using data from Waves I (1994–1995; participants ages 12–18 years) and V (2016–2018; participants ages 34–42 years) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N = 10,685), we examined adolescent and adult demographic, mental and physical health, substance use, and behavioral characteristics associated with past 30-day prescription opioid use only, misuse only, and both use and misuse to no recent use or misuse in adulthood. Results: Overall, 2.3% of adult participants reported past 30-day prescription opioid use only, 6.3% reported past 30-day misuse only, and 1.3% reported both prescribed use and misuse in the past 30 days. Physical health conditions in adolescence and adulthood were most common among those reporting use only and both use and misuse. Mental health conditions, other substance use, and delinquent behaviors in adolescence and adulthood were most common among those reporting misuse only and both use and misuse. Conclusions: Results from this nationally representative sample highlight the prevalence of specific prescription opioid behaviors and underscore the importance of targeting underlying drivers of prescription opioid use and misuse early in the life course. Continued implementation individual- and population-level approaches will be critical to addressing continued demand for opioids.
Blue and Violet Emission of PbCl2

The blue and violet emission of undoped PbCl2, is investigated in the temperature region from 4.2 up to 200 or 60 K, respectively. Two subbands are resolved in the blue emission and the energy transfer between them is revealed at temperatures above 80 K. The origin of blue emission and the influence of oxygen are discussed. The decay of violet emission is reported and the activation energy of its thermal quenching is calculated from the lifetime-temperature dependence. The influence of diffusion of bromide ions into PbCl2 surface layer on the violet emission is tested. Es wird die blaue Lumineszenz von PbCl2-Kristallen im Temperaturbereich von 4,2 bis 200 K und die violette Lumineszenz von 4,2 bis 60 K untersucht. In der blauen Lumineszenz werden zwei Komponenten aufgelost und der Energietransfer zwischen ihnen bei Temperaturen oberhalb 80 K festgestellt. Es wird der Ursprung der blauen Lumineszenz und der Einflus von Sauerstoff diskutiert. Das Abklingen der violetten Lumineszenz wird gemessen und die Aktivierungsenergie des Tilgungsprozesses aus der Temperaturabhangigkeit der Lumineszenzlebensdauer berechnet. Der Einflus von Bromidionen-Diffusion in die Oberflachenschicht von PbCl2-Kristallen auf die violette Lumineszenz wird untersucht.
Polyaniline/polyimide blends as gas sensors and electrical conductivity response to CO-N2 mixtures

The effects of dopant type, doping level, polyimide (PI) content and temperature on electrical conductivity response of polyaniline (PANI) and polyaniline/polyimide (PANI/PI) blends to CO–N2 gas mixtures were systematically investigated. At the same doping level, HNO3-doped PANI has a greater electrical conductivity response and sensitivity towards CO than that of camphor sulfonic acid (CSA)-doped PANI because the former has a more ordered structure. The interaction mechanism between CO and PANI is proposed to occur at the attack site, NH or the amine nitrogen where CO withdraws an electron. Addition of PI causes a small change in electrical conductivity under atmospheric conditions when PI content is below the percolation threshold value of 55 wt%. Addition of PI reduces brittleness and improves electrical conductivity sensitivity towards CO; the effect is more pronounced at higher temperatures. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of Ion-Exchange Modification on Hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide Adsorption Behaviour of RhoZMOF Material

Zeolite-like metal-organic frameworks (ZMOFs) can adsorb hydrogen and carbon dioxide because of their negatively charged structures, being able to be ion exchanged with metal cations to further increase the electrostatic field inside the framework cavities. Ion exchange of RhoZMOF with alkaline and alkaline-earth metal cations was performed up to stoichiometric levels with one single ion-exchange step. Screen effect caused by water-coordinated molecules around the exchanged cations hindered the hydrogen uptake, although slightly higher heats of hydrogen adsorption were observed for Na+, Li+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ exchanged samples. Conversely, the same exchange treatment produced a very interesting enhancement in CO2 adsorption of RhoZMOF at 303 K. Moreover, because there are no water molecules surrounding the metallic cations, RhoZMOF material was exchanged with an Li+–crown–ether complex in the nitrobenzene/acetonitrile mixture, free of water. Nitrogen and hydrogen adsorption isotherms at 77 K showed higher specific surface area and hydrogen adsorption capacity than the material with hydrated cations.
Oxidation of Volatile Organic Compounds in Aqueous Solution and at the Air-water Interface of Aqueous Microdroplets

Isoprene (ISO),the most abundant non-methane VOC, is the major contributor to secondary organic aerosols (SOA) formation. The mechanisms involved in such transformation, however, are not fully understood. Current mechanisms, which are based on the oxidation of ISO in the gas-phase, underestimate SOA yields. The heightened awareness that ISO is only partially processed in the gas-phase has turned attention to heterogeneous processes as alternative pathways toward SOA. During my research project, I investigated the photochemical oxidation of isoprene in bulk water. Below, I will report on the λ > 305 nm photolysis of H2O2 in dilute ISO solutions. This process yields C10H15OH species as primary products, whose formation both requires and is inhibited by O2. Several isomers of C10H15OH were resolved by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and detected as MH+ (m/z = 153) and MH+-18 (m/z = 135) signals by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. This finding is consistent with the addition of ·OH to ISO, followed by HO-ISO· reactions with ISO (in competition with O2) leading to second generation HO(ISO)2· radicals that terminate as C10H15OH via β-H abstraction by O2. It is not generally realized that chemistry on the surface of water cannot be deduced, extrapolated or translated to those in bulk gas and liquid phases. The water density drops a thousand-fold within a few Angstroms through the gas-liquid interfacial region and therefore hydrophobic VOCs such as ISO will likely remain in these relatively 'dry' interfacial water layers rather than proceed into bulk water. In previous experiments from our laboratory, it was found that gas-phase olefins can be protonated on the surface of pH In order to test this hypothesis, I carried out experiments in which ISO(g) collides with the surface of aqueous microdroplets of various compositions. Herein I report that ISO(g) is oxidized into soluble species via Fenton chemistry on the surface of aqueous Fe(II)Cl2 solutions simultaneously exposed to H2O2(g). Monomer and oligomeric species (ISO)1-8H+ were detected via online electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) on the surface of pH ~ 2 water, and were then oxidized into a suite of products whose combined yields exceed ~ 5% of (ISO)1-8H+. MS/MS analysis revealed that products mainly consisted of alcohols, ketones, epoxides and acids. Our experiments demonstrated that olefins in ambient air may be oxidized upon impact on the surface of Fe-containing aqueous acidic media, such as those of typical to tropospheric aerosols. Related experiments involving the reaction of ISO(g) with ·OH radicals from the photolysis of dissolved H2O2 were also carried out to test the surface oxidation of ISO(g) by photolyzing H2O2(aq) at 266 nm at various pH. The products were analyzed via online electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Similar to our Fenton experiments, we detected (ISO)1-7H+ at pH 5.
Mechanisms of TGFß in prostaglandin synthesis and sperm guidance in Caenorhabditis elegans

The transparent epidermis of Caenorhabditis elegans makes it an attractive model to study sperm motility and migration within an intact reproductive tract. C elegans synthesize specific F‐series prostaglandins (PGFs) that are important for guiding sperm toward the spermatheca. These PGFs are synthesized from polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) precursors, such as arachidonic acid (AA), via a novel pathway, independent of the classical cyclooxygenases (Cox) responsible for most PG synthesis. While the enzyme(s) responsible for PG synthesis has yet to be identified, the DAF‐7 TGFß pathway has been implicated in modulating PG levels and sperm guidance.