Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Wood and Graphene Nanoplatelets (GNPs) Reinforced Polymer Composites

This paper investigates the utilization of commercial masterbatches of graphene nanoplatelets to improve the properties of neat polymer and wood fiber composites manufactured by conventional processing methods. The effect of aspect ratio of the graphene platelets (represented by the different number of layers in the nanoplatelet) on the properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is discussed. The composites were characterized for their mechanical properties (tensile, flexural, impact) and physical characteristics (morphology, crystallization, and thermal stability). The effect of the addition of nanoplatelets on the thermal conductivity and diffusivity of the reinforced polymer with different contents of reinforcement was also investigated. In general, the mechanical performance of the polymer was enhanced at the presence of either of the reinforcements (graphene or wood fiber). The improvement in mechanical properties of the nanocomposite was notable considering that no compatibilizer was used in the manufacturing. The use of a masterbatch can promote utilization of nano-modified polymer composites on an industrial scale without modification of the currently employed processing methods and facilities.
Performance Analysis of Scattering-Level Multiplexing (SLMux) in Distributed Fiber-Optic Backscatter Reflectometry Physical Sensors

Optical backscatter reflectometry (OBR) is a method for the interrogation of Rayleigh scattering occurring in each section of an optical fiber, resulting in a single-fiber-distributed sensor with sub-millimeter spatial resolution. The use of high-scattering fibers, doped with MgO-based nanoparticles in the core section, provides a scattering increase which can overcome 40 dB. Using a configuration-labeled Scattering-Level Multiplexing (SLMux), we can arrange a network of high-scattering fibers to perform a simultaneous scan of multiple fiber sections, therefore extending the OBR method from a single fiber to multiple fibers. In this work, we analyze the performance and boundary limits of SLMux, drawing the limits of detection of N-channel SLMux, and evaluating the performance of scattering-enhancement methods in optical fibers.
Diet composition of blackspotted smooth-hound, Mustelus punctulatus (Risso, 1826), in the eastern Adriatic Sea

The purpose of the present study was to provide a qualitative and quantitative description of the diet and length-weight relationship (LWR)of the blackspotted smooth-hound in the eastern Adriatic Sea. Samples of blackspotted smooth-hound were taken from four localities in the eastern Adriatic at depths from 70 and 160 m.A total of 145 specimens were collected during daylight hours from January 2001 to February 2003. During the autumn and winter, 85 specimens were caught, while 40 specimens were caught in spring and 20 in summer.The diet was consisted of six major systematic groups: Cephalopoda, Polychaeta, Crustacea (Stomatopoda, Decapoda), Enteropneusta, Tunicata and Teleostei. Decapoda crustaceans were the most frequently observed prey, constituting 65.0% of the total IRI, followed by teleosts (%IRI = 30.0). The relative importance of cephalopods, polychaets, enteropneusta and tunicates was comparatively low. It should be taken into consideration that, as a result of the degree of digestion of the prey, the determination to the level of species often was not possible. However, at the species level, the decapods Liocarcinus depurator (%IRI = 19.8), followed by teleosts Sardina pilchardus (%IRI = 7.9), were the most frequent preys.
Campus community gardens and student health: A case study of a campus garden and student well-being

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between working at a campus community garden and student volunteers’ wellbeing. Participants: 76 undergraduate students at a large urban university in the San Francisco Bay area. Methods: A Web-based survey was conducted. Using an email mailing list of current and former garden volunteers, the study questionnaire was sent to survey participants multiple times to promote higher response rate. Results: Bootstrap regression revealed that both connectedness to nature and general health were significant predictors of a general well-being variable. Conclusions: University leaders might consider that campus natural spaces contribute to student success and may be among the few opportunities that urban college students have to engage with nature.
A reaction library to predict direct photochemical transformation products of environmental organic contaminants in sunlit aquatic systems.

Cheminformatics-based applications to predict transformation pathways of environmental contaminants are useful to quickly prioritize contaminants with potentially toxic/persistent products. Direct photolysis can be an important degradation pathway for sunlight-absorbing compounds in the aquatic systems. In this study, we developed the first freely available direct phototransformation pathway predictive tool, which uses a rule-based reaction library. Journal publications studying diverse contaminants (such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and energetic compounds) were systematically compiled to encode 155 reaction schemes into the reaction library. The execution result of this predictive tool was internally evaluated against 390 compounds from the compiled journal publications and externally evaluated against 138 compounds from regulatory reports. The recall (sensitivity) and precision (selectivity) were 0.62 and 0.35, respectively, for internal evaluation, and 0.56 and 0.20, for external evaluation, when only products formed from the first reaction step were counted. This predictive tool could help to narrow the data gaps in chemical registration/evaluation and inform future experimental studies.
Investigation of Ag/a-C:H nanocomposite coatings on titanium for orthopedic applications.

One of the leading causes of failure for any bone implant are implant associated infections. The implant-bone interface is in fact the crucial site of infection where both microorganisms and cells compete to populate the newly introduced implant surface. Most of the work dealing with this issue has focused on the design of implant coatings capable of preventing infection while ignoring cell proliferation or vice versa. The present study is therefore focused on investigating the antibacterial and biological properties of nanocomposite coatings based on an amorphous hydrocarbon (a-C:H) matrix containing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). a-C:H coatings with varying silver concentrations were generated directly on medical grade titanium substrates using a combination of a gas aggregation source (GAS) and a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PE-CVD) process. The obtained results revealed that the surface silver content increased from 1.3 at% to 5.3 at% by increasing the used DC magnetron current in the GAS from 200 to 500 mA. A series of in-vitro antibacterial assays also indicated that increasing the number of AgNPs in the nanocomposites led to excellent antibacterial activities resulting in a 6-log reduction of E. coli and a 4-log reduction of S. aureus after 24 hours of incubation. An MTT assay, fluorescence live/dead staining and SEM microscopy observations of MC3T3 cells seeded on the uncoated and coated Ti substrates also showed that increasing the amount of AgNPs in the nanocomposites had no notable impact on their cytocompatibility, while improved cell proliferation was especially observed for the nanocomposites possessing a low amount of Ag NPs. These controllable Ag/a-C:H nanocomposites on Ti substrates which simultaneously provide an excellent antibacterial performance and good biocompatibility could thus have promising applications in orthopedics and other biomedical implants.
Effect of Ultrasonic Surface Impact on the Fatigue Properties of Ti3Zr2Sn3Mo25Nb

The effect of nano grain surface layer generated by ultrasonic impact on the fatigue behaviors of a titanium alloy Ti3Zr2Sn3Mo25Nb (TLM) was investigated. Three vibration strike-numbers of 24,000 times, 36,000 times and 48,000 times per unit are chosen to treat the surface of TLM specimens. Nanocrystals with an average size of 30 nm are generated. The dislocation motion plays an important role in the transformation of nanograins. Ultrasonic surface impact improves the mechanical properties of TLM, such as hardness, surface residual stress, tensile strength and fatigue strength. More vibration strike numbers will cause a higher enhancement. With a vibration strike number of 48,000 times per square millimeter the rotating-bending fatigue strength of TLM at 107 cycles is improved by 23.7%. All the fatigue cracks initiate from the surface of untreated specimens, while inner cracks appear after the fatigue life of 106 cycles with the ultrasonic surface impact. The crystal slip in the crack initiation zone is the main way of growth for microcracks. Crack cores are usually formed at the junction of crystals. The stress intensity factor of TLM titanium alloy is approximately 7.0 MPa·m1/2.
Impact of differential and time-dependent autophagy activation on therapeutic efficacy in a model of Huntington disease

ABSTRACT Activation of macroautophagy/autophagy, a key mechanism involved in the degradation and removal of aggregated proteins, can successfully reverse Huntington disease phenotypes in various model systems. How neuronal autophagy impairments need to be considered in Huntington disease progression to achieve a therapeutic effect is currently not known. In this study, we used a mouse model of HTT (huntingtin) protein aggregation to investigate how different methods and timing of autophagy activation influence the efficacy of autophagy-activating treatment in vivo. We found that overexpression of human TFEB, a master regulator of autophagy, did not decrease mutant HTT aggregation. On the other hand, Becn1 overexpression, an autophagic regulator that plays a key role in autophagosome formation, partially cleared mutant HTT aggregates and restored neuronal pathology, but only when administered early in the disease progression. When Becn1 was administered at a later stage, when prominent mutant HTT accumulation and autophagy impairments have occurred, Becn1 overexpression did not rescue the mutant HTT-associated phenotypes. Together, these results demonstrate that the targets used to activate autophagy, as well as the timing of autophagy activation, are crucial for achieving efficient therapeutic effects.Abbreviations: AAV: adeno-associated viral vectors; ACTB: actin beta; BECN1: beclin 1, autophagy related; DAPI: 4ʹ,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole; GO: gene ontology; HD: Huntington disease; HTT: huntingtin; ICQ: Li’s intensity correlation quotient; IHC: immunohistochemistry; LAMP1: lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1; MAP1LC3B/LC3B: microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta; mHTT: mutant huntingtin; PCA: principal component analysis; PPP1R1B/DARPP-32: protein phosphatase 1 regulatory inhibitor subunit 1B; SQSTM1: sequestosome 1; TFEB: transcription factor EB; WB: western blot; WT: wild-type.
Intraflagellar Transport 80 Is Required for Cilia Construction and Maintenance in Paramecium tetraurelia

Intraflagellar transport (IFT) represents a bidirectional dynamic process that carries cargo essential for cilia building and the maintenance of ciliary function, which is important for the locomotion of single cells, intracellular and intercellular signalling transduction. Accumulated evidence has revealed that defects in IFT cause several clinical disorders. Here, we determined the role of IFT80, an IFT‐B protein that is mutated in Jeune asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy. Using the RNAi method in the ciliate Paramecium as model, we found that loss of IFT80 prevents cilia biogenesis and causes strong cell lethality. A specific antibody against IFT80 was also prepared in our study, which labelled IFT80 in cilia of Paramecium. GFP fusion experiments were performed to illustrate the dynamic movement of IFT‐A and IFT‐B proteins in cilia of Paramecium; then, we found that the depletion of IFT80 in cells prevents IFT‐A and IFT‐B proteins from entering the cilia. Our results showed the distribution change of other IFT proteins in cells that were depleted of IFT80, and we discuss the possible roles of IFT80 in Paramecium.
Production of the secondary metabolite catechin by in vitro cultures of Camellia sinensis L

Abstract Background Catechin is one of the secondary metabolites in Camellia sinensis L. that is alternatively produced through in vitro cultures. The in vitro culture product is possibly improved by optimizing the culture medium with the addition of growth regulators and precursors. The purpose of this study was to confirm the success of the secondary catechin metabolite production through the in vitro culture of C. sinensis L in a relatively short time. Methods The secondary catechin metabolite product is obtained in about 40 days. The study was conducted by (1) leaf cutting for inoculation in Murashige and Skoog media with 1 μg/mL of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid growth regulator; (2) the inoculation of callus multiplication on the same medium as a partially modified inoculation media condition with the addition of 1 μg/mL of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 2 μg/mL of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid at concentration; (3) callus multiplication developed on a new medium containing phenylalanine precursors (300 μg/mL); (4) testing growth by harvesting the callus and weighing the wet weight of its biomass and (5) identification of the callus qualitatively and quantitatively by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results The level of secondary catechin metabolite produced was 2.54 μg/mL and 12.13 μg/mL in solid and suspension media, respectively. Conclusions It is concluded that the method is effective and efficient in producing catechin product from C. sinensis L.
Long-Term Treatment Outcome of Progressive Mycobacterium avium Complex Pulmonary Disease

Background: Multidrug therapy is essential for preventing respiratory failure in patients with highly progressive Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease (MAC-PD). However, the prognosis and long-term outcome following combination therapy is poorly understood. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes in patients with chemo-naïve progressive MAC-PD, hospitalized for first-line multidrug therapy. Results: Among 125 patients, 86 (68.8%) received standardized treatment (rifampicin, ethambutol, clarithromycin), 25 (20.0%) received a fluoroquinolone (FQ)-containing regimen, and 53 (42.4%) received aminoglycoside injection. The sputum conversion rate was 80.0%, and was independently associated with standardized treatment. The incidence of refractory disease (45.6%) was independently and negatively associated with standardized regimen and aminoglycoside use. Choice of an FQ-containing regimen was not associated with positive outcome. Clarithromycin resistance occurred in 16.8% and was independently associated with refractory disease. MAC-PD-associated death occurred in 3.3% of patients with non-cavitary nodular bronchiectasis (NB) and 21.3% with cavitary MAC-PD over a median follow-up period of 56.4 months. The rates of MAC-PD-associated death were comparable between cavitary-NB and fibrocavitary disease. Concurrent chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) occurred in 13 (17.3%) patients with cavitary MAC-PD, and age, diabetes mellitus, and CPA were independent risk factors for mortality. Conclusions: Standardized intensive multidrug treatment reduces disease progression and persistence in progressive MAC-PD. Cavitary NB may differ from, rather than being just an advanced stage of, non-cavitary NB. The high incidence and significant mortality of CPA in cavitary MAC-PD highlight the need for early diagnosis and treatment.
Efeito da irrigação, épocas de corte da forragem e doses de nitrogênio sobre o rendimento de sementes de milheto

A field trial was carried out at the Estacao Experimental Agronomica/UFRGS (30°05'52"S; 51°40'08"W) to evaluate the effect of irrigation (with and without irrigation), two clipping dates (E1- removing about 50% of the apical meristems of the primary tillers; E2- removing 75%), and four rates of nitrogen (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg.ha -1 ) on seed yield of pearl-millet (Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke). The experiment was arranged in a randomized split-split-plot design with four replications. Seeding was performed by direct drilling, on December 29, 2000. Nitrogen rates were equally split and broadcast, half in January 16, 2001 and half one week after clipping. The clippings were done at 20cm height, (E1=02/09 and E2=02/19) and the seed was harvested in April 30 and May 01, 2001. Nitrogen applications influenced seed yield components such as: total number of panicles.m -2 , number of panicles with seeds.m -2 , length of panicles, weight of panicles and number of seeds.panicle -1 . The component panicles with seeds were affected by the interactions
Detection of Podocin in Human Urine Sediment Samples by Charge Derivatization and LC-MS-MRM Method

Detection of podocytes in urine might serve as a useful diagnostic tool in both primary and secondary glomerular diseases. The utility of podocyturia has been confirmed for both pre-eclampsia and glomerulonephritis. Here, we present a new and sensitive method for qualitative LC-MS-multiple-reaction-monitoring (MRM) analysis of podocin, serving as a podocyturia biomarker in urine sediments. The following podocin tryptic peptides with the 169LQTLEIPFHEIVTK182, 213AVQFLVQTTMK223, 240SIAQDAK246, and 292MIAAEAEK299 sequences were applied as a model. The selective chemical derivatization of the ε amino group of C-terminal lysine residue in tryptic peptides, by 2,4,6-triphenylpyrylium salt (TPP) as a fixed charge tag, was employed to increase the ionization efficiency, in routine ESI-MS analysis. Additionally, the generation of a reporter ion, in the form of a protonated 2,4,6-triphenylpyridinium cation, makes the derivatized peptide analysis in the MRM mode unambiguous. Identification of derivatized and non-derivatized peptides were performed, and the obtained results suggest that the peptide with the 292MIAAEAEK299 sequence may serve as a marker of podocyturia.
Access to PCNA by Srs2 and Elg1 Controls the Choice between Alternative Repair Pathways in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

PCNA, the ring that encircles DNA maintaining the processivity of DNA polymerases, is modified by ubiquitin and SUMO. Whereas ubiquitin is required for bypassing lesions through the DNA damage tolerance (DDT) pathways, we show here that SUMOylation represses another pathway, salvage recombination. The Srs2 helicase is recruited to SUMOylated PCNA and prevents the salvage pathway from acting. The pathway can be induced by overexpressing the PCNA unloader Elg1, or the homologous recombination protein Rad52. Our results underscore the role of PCNA modifications in controlling the various bypass and DNA repair mechanisms. ABSTRACT During DNA replication, stalling can occur when the replicative DNA polymerases encounter lesions or hard-to replicate regions. Under these circumstances, the processivity factor PCNA gets ubiquitylated at lysine 164, inducing the DNA damage tolerance (DDT) mechanisms that can bypass lesions encountered during DNA replication. PCNA can also be SUMOylated at the same residue or at lysine 127. Surprisingly, pol30-K164R mutants display a higher degree of sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents than pol30-KK127,164RR strains, unable to modify any of the lysines. Here, we show that in addition to translesion synthesis and strand-transfer DDT mechanisms, an alternative repair mechanism (“salvage recombination”) that copies information from the sister chromatid is repressed by the recruitment of Srs2 to SUMOylated PCNA. Overexpression of Elg1, the PCNA unloader, or of the recombination protein Rad52 allows its activation. We dissect the genetic requirements for this pathway, as well as the interactions between Srs2 and Elg1. IMPORTANCE PCNA, the ring that encircles DNA maintaining the processivity of DNA polymerases, is modified by ubiquitin and SUMO. Whereas ubiquitin is required for bypassing lesions through the DNA damage tolerance (DDT) pathways, we show here that SUMOylation represses another pathway, salvage recombination. The Srs2 helicase is recruited to SUMOylated PCNA and prevents the salvage pathway from acting. The pathway can be induced by overexpressing the PCNA unloader Elg1, or the homologous recombination protein Rad52. Our results underscore the role of PCNA modifications in controlling the various bypass and DNA repair mechanisms.
Microglial and Astrocytic Function in Physiological and Pathological Conditions: Estrogenic Modulation

There are sexual differences in the onset, prevalence, and outcome of numerous neurological diseases. Thus, in Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and major depression disorder, the incidence in women is higher than in men. In contrast, men are more likely to present other pathologies, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and autism spectrum. Although the neurological contribution to these diseases has classically always been studied, the truth is that neurons are not the only cells to be affected, and there are other cells, such as glial cells, that are also involved and could be key to understanding the development of these pathologies. Sexual differences exist not only in pathology but also in physiological processes, which shows how cells are differentially regulated in males and females. One of the reasons these sexual differences may occur could be due to the different action of sex hormones. Many studies have shown an increase in aromatase levels in the brain, which could indicate the main role of estrogens in modulating proinflammatory processes. This review will highlight data about sex differences in glial physiology and how estrogenic compounds, such as estradiol and tibolone, could be used as treatment in neurological diseases due to their anti-inflammatory effects and the ability to modulate glial cell functions.
The selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist CORT125281 has tissue-specific activity

Glucocorticoids mediate numerous essential processes in the human body via binding to the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Excessive GR signaling can cause disease, and GR antagonists can be used to treat many symptoms of glucocorticoid-induced pathology. The purpose of this study was to characterize the tissue-specific properties of the selective GR antagonist CORT125281. We evaluated the antagonistic effects of CORT125281 upon acute and subchronic corticosterone exposure in mice. In the acute corticosterone setting, hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal-axis activity was investigated by measurement of basal- and stress-induced corticosterone levels, adrenocorticotropic hormone levels and pituitary proopiomelanocortin expression. GR signaling was evaluated by RT-PCR analysis of GR-responsive transcripts in liver, muscle, brown adipose tissue (BAT), white adipose tissue (WAT) and hippocampus. Pretreatment with a high dose of CORT125281 antagonized GR activity in a tissue-dependent manner. We observed complete inhibition of GR-induced target gene expression in the liver, partial blockade in muscle and BAT and no antagonism in WAT and hippocampus. Tissue distribution only partially explained the lack of effective antagonism. CORT125281 treatment did not disinhibit the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal neuroendocrine axis. In the subchronic corticosterone setting, CORT125281 partially prevented corticosterone-induced hyperinsulinemia, but not hyperlipidemia and immune suppression. In conclusion, CORT125281 antagonizes GR transcriptional activity in a tissue-dependent manner and improves corticosterone-induced hyperinsulinemia. Tailored dosing of CORT125281 may allow tissue-specific inhibition of GR transcriptional activity.