Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dissimilatory reduction of perchlorate and other common pollutants by a consortium enriched from tidal flats of the Yellow Sea

Objective: To enrich a facultative anaerobic bacterial consortium from the Yellow Sea and assess its ability to reduce perchlorate and other co-pollutants. Methods: Bacterial consortium collected from the tidal flats of the Yellow Sea was enriched in an anoxic medium containing perchlorate as the electron (e - ) acceptor and acetate as the electron (e - ) donor. The enriched consortium was then tested for perchlorate reduction under different perchlorate concentrations and in the presence of nitrate by using standard anaerobic techniques. The complete enzymatic reduction of perchlorate to chloride was confirmed by chlorite dismutation. Ability of the consortium to grow with alternate e - acceptors was also tested with acetate as the e - donor. Results: The enriched consortium could rapidly reduce perchlorate up to the initial concentration of 25.65 mmol/L. In the presence of nitrate, perchlorate reduction did not occur immediately and reduction of nitrate started after a lag phase, with concomitant accumulation of nitrite. The perchlorate-enriched consortium could reduce chlorate, oxygen, Cr (VI), and selenate as the alternate e - acceptors but failed to utilize sulfate, thiosulfate, sulfite, and nitrite. Conclusions: The consortium from the tidal flats of the Yellow Sea could reduce perchlorate and co-contaminants such as chlorate, nitrate, Cr (VI), and selenate under heterotrophic conditions with acetate as the e
Evaluation of the Income Convergence Hypothesis in Ten New Members of the European Union. A Panel Unit Root Approach

In this paper, different tests of unit root in panel data are implemented for studying real economic convergence and catching-up in ten new members of European Union (EU) toward average EU per capita income and average of ancient members. We used the EuroStat quarterly real per capita output data on the period 1995 - 2005. The results support existence of absolute convergence and catching-up processes in sample countries towards EU standards.
Matrilin-3 in human articular cartilage: increased expression in osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE Matrilin-3 is a member of the recently described matrilin family of extracellular matrix proteins containing von Willebrand factor A-like domains. The matrilin-3 subunit can form homo-tetramers as well as hetero-oligomers together with subunits of matrilin-1 (cartilage matrix protein). It has a restricted tissue distribution and is strongly expressed in growing skeletal tissues. Detailed information on expression and distribution of extracellular matrix proteins is important to understand cartilage function in health and in disease like osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS Normal and osteoarthritic cartilage were systematically analysed for matrilin-3 expression, using immunohistochemistry, Western blot analysis, in situ hybridization, and quantitative PCR. RESULTS Our results indicate that matrilin-3 is a mandatory component of mature articular cartilage with its expression being restricted to chondrocytes from the tangential zone and the upper middle cartilage zone. Osteoarthritic cartilage samples with only moderate morphological osteoarthritic degenerations have elevated levels of matrilin-3 mRNA. In parallel, we found an increased deposition of matrilin-3 protein in the cartilage matrix. Matrilin-3 staining was diffusely distributed in the cartilage matrix, with no cellular staining being detectable. In cartilage samples with minor osteoarthritic lesions, matrilin-3 deposition was restricted to the middle zone and to the upper deep zone. A strong correlation was found between enhanced matrilin-3 gene and protein expression and the extent of tissue damage. Sections with severe osteoarthritic degeneration showed the highest amount of matrilin-3 mRNA, strong signals in in situ hybridization, and prominent protein deposition in the middle and deep cartilage zone. CONCLUSION We conclude that matrilin-3 is an integral component of human articular cartilage matrix and that the enhanced expression of matrilin-3 in OA may be a cellular response to the modified microenvironment in the disease.
Preparation and evaluation of cyclosporin A-containing proliposomes: a comparison of the supercritical antisolvent process with the conventional film method

Objectives The objectives of this study were to prepare cyclosporin A (CsA)-containing proliposomes using the supercritical antisolvent (SAS) process and the conventional thin film method for the comparative study of proliposomal formulations and to evaluate the physicochemical properties of these proliposomes. Methods CsA-containing proliposomes were prepared by the SAS process and the conventional film method, composed of natural and synthetic phospholipids. We investigated particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential of CsA-containing proliposomes. In addition, both production yield and entrapment efficiency of CsA in different proliposomes were analyzed. Physicochemical properties of CsA-containing proliposomes were also evaluated, using differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. The morphology and size of CsA-containing proliposomes were confirmed, using scanning electron microscopy. We checked the in vitro release of CsA from CsA-containing proliposomes prepared by different preparation methods, comparing them with Restasis® as a positive control and the stability of SAS-mediated proliposomes was also studied. Results CsA-containing proliposomes formed by the SAS process had a relatively smaller particle size, with a narrow size distribution and spherical particles compared with those of conventionally prepared proliposomes. The yield and entrapment efficiency of CsA in all proliposomes varied from 85% to 92% and from 86% to 89%, respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the anhydrous lactose powder used in this formulation retained its crystalline form and that CsA was present in an amorphous form. Proliposome powders were rapidly converted to liposomes on contact with water. The in vitro release study of proliposomal formulations demonstrated a similar pattern to Restasis®. The SAS-mediated CsA-containing proliposomes were stable on storage, with no significant changes in particle size, polydispersity index, and entrapment efficiency. Conclusion These results show promising features of CsA-containing proliposomal formulations, using the SAS process for the large-scale industrial application.
Valproate v. lithium in the treatment of bipolar disorder in clinical practice: observational nationwide register-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND Valproate is one of the most used mood stabilisers for bipolar disorder, although the evidence for the effectiveness of valproate is sparse. AIMS To compare the effect of valproate v. lithium for treatment of bipolar disorder in clinical practice. METHOD An observational cohort study with linkage of nationwide registers of all people with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder in psychiatric hospital settings who were prescribed valproate or lithium in Denmark during a period from 1995 to 2006. RESULTS A total of 4268 participants were included among whom 719 received valproate and 3549 received lithium subsequent to the diagnosis of bipolar disorder. The rate of switch/add on to the opposite drug (lithium or valproate), antidepressants, antipsychotics or anticonvulsants (other than valproate) was increased for valproate compared with lithium (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.86, 95% CI 1.59-2.16). The rate of psychiatric hospital admissions was increased for valproate v. lithium (HR = 1.33, 95% CI 1.18-1.48) and regardless of the type of episode leading to a hospital admission (depressive or manic/mixed). Similarly, for participants with a depressive index episode (HR = 1.87, 95% CI 1.40-2.48), a manic index episode (HR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.01-1.51) and a mixed index episode (HR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.04-2.01), the overall rate of hospital admissions was significantly increased for valproate compared with lithium. CONCLUSIONS In daily clinical practice, treatment with lithium seems in general to be superior to treatment with valproate.
Primary colon cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, adjuvant treatment and follow-up.

Primary colon cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, adjuvant treatment and follow-up R. Labianca, B. Nordlinger, G. D. Beretta, A. Brouquet & A. Cervantes On behalf of the ESMO Guidelines Working Group* Department of Medical Oncology, Ospedali Riuniti, Bergamo, Italy; Department of Digestive Surgery, Ambroise Paré Hospital, Boulogne, France; Department of Medical Oncology, Sant’Orsola–Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Brescia, Italy; Department of Surgery, Ambroise Paré Hospital, Boulogne, France; Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, INCLIVA, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
Comparative Study of Kinetics of the Thermal Decomposition of Polypropylene Using Different Methods

The thermal degradation kinetics of powder isotactic polypropylene was investigated in a thermobalance system, at non-isothermal heating conditions with heating rate of 5, 10, 15, and 20°C min−1 in the temperature range of 30–600°C under nitrogen atmosphere. The apparent activation energy (Ea) was determined using Ozawa–Flynn–Wall, Tang Wanjun, and Coats–Redfern (modified) methods. The apparent activation energies range from 61.3 to 110.9 kJ mol−1. Increasing the heating rate shifted the Tmax to a higher level. The lower activation energy observed indicates the breakage of the bonds at weak links. Moreover, the values of activation energy are significantly controlled by the heating rate, level of conversion, and calculation technique. A comparison among the different techniques has been made on the basis of the apparent activation energy from the TG data. The activation energies determined by all the three methods are in good agreement with each other. Furthermore, the pyrolysis of model polypropylene was carried out over the temperature range 350–415°C in a salt bath using Pyrex reaction vessel. The gaseous fraction produced was collected in gas sampling bag and monitored gas chromatographically. The major hydrocarbons detected were methane, propylene, propane, 2-methylpentane, 2,4 dimethylpentane, and 2,4 dimethylheptane.
Assessment of Genetic Variation and Population Structure of Diverse Rice Genotypes Adapted to Lowland and Upland Ecologies in Africa Using SNPs

Using interspecific crosses involving Oryza glaberrima Steud. as donor and O. sativa L. as recurrent parents, rice breeders at the Africa Rice Center developed several ‘New Rice for Africa (NERICA)’ improved varieties. A smaller number of interspecific and intraspecific varieties have also been released as ‘Advanced Rice for Africa (ARICA)’. The objective of the present study was to investigate the genetic variation, relatedness, and population structure of 330 widely used rice genotypes in Africa using DArTseq-based single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). A sample of 11 ARICAs, 85 NERICAs, 62 O. sativa spp. japonica, and 172 O. sativa spp. indica genotypes were genotyped with 27,560 SNPs using diversity array technology (DArT)-based sequencing (DArTseq) platform. Nearly 66% of the SNPs were polymorphic, of which 15,020 SNPs were mapped to the 12 rice chromosomes. Genetic distance between pairs of genotypes that belong to indica, japonica, ARICA, and NERICA varied from 0.016 to 0.623, from 0.020 to 0.692, from 0.075 to 0.763, and from 0.014 to 0.644, respectively. The proportion of pairs of genotypes with genetic distance > 0.400 was the largest within NERICAs (35.1% of the pairs) followed by ARICAs (18.2%), japonica (17.4%), and indica (5.6%). We found one pair of japonica, 11 pairs of indica, and 35 pairs of NERICA genotypes differing by <2% of the total scored alleles, which was due to 26 pairs of genotypes with identical pedigrees. Cluster analysis, principal component analysis, and the model-based population structure analysis all revealed two distinct groups corresponding to the lowland (primarily indica and lowland NERICAs) and upland (japonica and upland NERICAs) growing ecologies. Most of the interspecific lowland NERICAs formed a sub-group, likely caused by differences in the O. glaberrima genome as compared with the indica genotypes. Analysis of molecular variance revealed very great genetic differentiation (FST = 0.688) between the lowland and upland ecologies, and 31.2% of variation attributable to differences within cluster groups. About 8% (1,197 of 15,020) of the 15,020 SNPs were significantly (P < 0.05) different between the lowland and upland ecologies and formed contrasting haplotypes that could clearly discriminate lowland from upland genotypes. This is the first study using high density markers that characterized NERICA and ARICA varieties in comparison with indica and japonica varieties widely used in Africa, which could aid rice breeders on parent selection for developing new improved rice germplasm.
Seismology inside the Fault Zone: Applications to Fault-Zone Properties and Rupture Dynamics

Ellsworth, William L. ; Malin, Peter E. ; Imanishi, Kazutoshi; Roecker, Steven W. ; Nadeau, Robert; Oye, Volder; Thurber, Clifford H. ; Waldhauser, Felix; Boness, Namoi L. ; Hickman, Stephen H. ; and Zoback, Mark D. , "Seismology inside the Fault Zone: Applications to Fault-Zone Properties and Rupture Dynamics" (2007). USGS Staff -Published Research. 420. https://digitalcommons.unl. edu/usgsstaffpub/420
Myocardial deformation abnormalities in pediatric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: are all etiologies identical?

AIMS Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a disease with a heterogeneous clinical and morphological presentation. It can be secondary to mutations in genes encoding for sarcomeric and non-sarcomeric proteins. The pattern of ventricular hypertrophy can vary from isolated basal septal to concentric hypertrophy. We investigated if there are differences in regional myocardial function in different forms of HCM. METHODS AND RESULTS We performed echocardiograms on children with (i) isolated asymmetric septal HCM, (ii) isolated concentric HCM, (iii) Friedreich's ataxia associated with concentric HCM, and (iv) healthy controls. Wall thickness, left ventricular dimensions, ejection fraction, and mitral inflow were measured. Peak early diastolic myocardial velocities, peak systolic myocardial velocities, peak systolic strain rate (SR), peak systolic strain (epsilon), post-systolic shortening and time to maximal epsilon were measured in the basal and mid-septum and basal lateral wall to evaluate longitudinal myocardial function. Similar data were acquired and analysed in the anterior septum and infero-lateral wall to evaluate the radial myocardial function. All three groups with HCM had had increased wall thickness, reduced left ventricular dimensions, and evidence of impaired diastolic filling compared to controls. All forms of HCM had reduced early diastolic and systolic myocardial velocities and peak systolic SR and peak systolic epsilon compared with controls in all myocardial segments investigated. Children with asymmetric septal HCM had reduced systolic deformation, increased post-systolic shortening, and prolonged time to maximal epsilon in the basal septum compared with the other two groups with HCM. There were no differences in any echocardiographic variable between patients with isolated concentric HCM and Friedreich's ataxia and resulting HCM. CONCLUSION Myocardial deformation is abnormal in all forms of paediatric HCM. Myocardial deformation is more reduced and associated with post-systolic shortening in the more hypertrophied basal septum in patients with asymmetric septal HCM. In contrast, this reduction is uniformly distributed in all myocardial segments in patients with concentric HCM irrespective of whether HCM results from isolated or secondary HCM. Our findings suggest the pattern of hypertrophy influences myocardial deformation more than the underlying cause of HCM.
GazeDirector: Fully Articulated Eye Gaze Redirection in Video

We present GazeDirector, a new approach for eye gaze redirection that uses model‐fitting. Our method first tracks the eyes by fitting a multi‐part eye region model to video frames using analysis‐by‐synthesis, thereby recovering eye region shape, texture, pose, and gaze simultaneously. It then redirects gaze by 1) warping the eyelids from the original image using a model‐derived flow field, and 2) rendering and compositing synthesized 3D eyeballs onto the output image in a photorealistic manner. GazeDirector allows us to change where people are looking without person‐specific training data, and with full articulation, i.e. we can precisely specify new gaze directions in 3D. Quantitatively, we evaluate both model‐fitting and gaze synthesis, with experiments for gaze estimation and redirection on the Columbia gaze dataset. Qualitatively, we compare GazeDirector against recent work on gaze redirection, showing better results especially for large redirection angles. Finally, we demonstrate gaze redirection on YouTube videos by introducing new 3D gaze targets and by manipulating visual behavior.
Study of new magnesium slag energy-saving insulation wall material

The wall material prepared by using magnesium slag cementitious material obtained in the previous experiment as binder,together with EPS super-light aggregate and other additives has good performance.The factors affecting the properties of wall material have also been analyzed.The optimal proportion ratio is as follow:m(magnesium slag cementitious material)∶m(modified emulsion)∶m(PP fiber)∶m(air entraining agent)∶m(EPS particle)∶m(water)=1∶ 0.05 ∶ 0.0015 ∶ 0.0001 ∶ 0.02 ∶ 0.5. The compressive strength of this material was 6.5MPa. The water absorbing ratio of wall material was only 10%,thermal conductivity was 0.13W/(m·K). Under the conditions of the 25 freeze-thaw cycles,at temperature between-25℃ and 25℃,the mass loss was only less than 1%, the strength loss of material was more or less 10%.
3D Differentiation of Neural Stem Cells in Macroporous Photopolymerizable Hydrogel Scaffolds

Neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) are the stem cell of the adult central nervous system (CNS). These cells are able to differentiate into the major cell types found in the CNS (neurons, oligodendrocytes, astrocytes), thus NSPCs are the mechanism by which the adult CNS could potentially regenerate after injury or disorder. Microenviromental factors are critical for guiding NSPC differentiation and are thus important for neural tissue engineering. In this study, D-mannitol crystals were mixed with photocrosslinkable methacrylamide chitosan (MAC) as a porogen to enhance pore size during hydrogel formation. D-mannitol was admixed to MAC at 5, 10 and 20 wt% D-mannitol per total initial hydrogel weight. D-mannitol crystals were observed to dissolve and leave the scaffold within 1 hr. Quantification of resulting average pore sizes showed that D-mannitol addition resulted in larger average pore size (5 wt%, 4060±160 µm2, 10 wt%, 6330±1160 µm2, 20 wt%, 7600±1550 µm2) compared with controls (0 wt%, 3150±220 µm2). Oxygen diffusion studies demonstrated that larger average pore area resulted in enhanced oxygen diffusion through scaffolds. Finally, the differentiation responses of NSPCs to phenotypic differentiation conditions were studied for neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes in hydrogels of varied porosity over 14 d. Quantification of total cell numbers at day 7 and 14, showed that cell numbers decreased with increased porosity and over the length of the culture. At day 14 immunohistochemistry quantification for primary cell types demonstrated significant differentiation to the desired cells types, and that total percentages of each cell type was greatest when scaffolds were more porous. These results suggest that larger pore sizes in MAC hydrogels effectively promote NSPC 3D differentiation.
The Mediating Role of Teachers' Depression Levels on the Relationship between Emotional Labor and Burn-Out.

The aim of this study is to understand the mediation effects of teachers’ depression levels on the relationship between emotional labor and burnout. The study group in this research consists of 163 teachers working at Gaziantep schools during 2013-2014 academic year. Since the research aims to analyze mediation effect of teachers’ depression levels on the relationship between emotional labor and burnout, the research design employed in this study is relational scanning model. Maslach’s Burnout Scale, Emotional Labor Scale and Depression Scale were used as data collection tools. Regression analysis of the effect of emotional labor on burnout show that, after depression level is added to the model, the effect of emotional intelligence on burnout decreases which indicates that the depression level is a mediator variable in this relationship. Results of analysis regarding mediation effect of depression levels on the relationship between teachers’ emotional labor and burnout also illustrate that depression levels are partial mediator in this relationship. Within that context, it is recommended that activities that could decrease teachers’ depression levels at schools should be organized by school administrators. Some other recommendations are presented based on findings.
Hypothermic machine perfusion ameliorates inflammation during ischemia-reperfusion injury via sirtuin-1-mediated deacetylation of nuclear factor-κB p65 in rat livers donated after circulatory death

Hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) effectively reduces ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in livers donated after circulatory death (DCD) when compared with cold storage (CS). However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The current study aimed to investigate the cellular mechanisms by which HMP ameliorates the inflammatory response during IRI. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rat livers were exposed to 30 min of warm ischemia following cardiac arrest and preserved by CS or HMP for 3 h (n=3 per group). The severity of IRI was assessed in vitro on normothermic reperfusion for 2 h, and intrahepatic resistance (IHR) and bile production were subsequently recorded. The perfusate was analyzed for transaminase leakage and oxygen consumption. Livers were subsequently subjected to histological examination, and measurement of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)+ levels and the ratio of NAD+/NADH. In addition, the protein expression of sirtuin-1 (SIRT-1), acetylated-nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 and NF-κB p65 was detected by western blotting, and the mRNA expression of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α was determined by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Compared with CS, HMP resulted in significantly lower IHR, transaminase leakage and MDA levels, and higher oxygen consumption, ATP levels and SOD activity. In addition, improved preservation of hepatic histology was observed in HMP compared with CS. The mRNA expression of NF-κB p65, IL-6 and TNF-α was significantly decreased in the HMP group compared with CS samples. Under HMP preservation, SIRT-1 activity and protein expression were increased, while the protein expression of acetylated-NF-κB p65 was decreased, compared with CS. These results indicate that HMP may reduce the inflammatory response during IRI via SIRT-1-mediated deacetylation of NF-κB p65. These findings may provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of HMP as an effective strategy to preserve DCD livers.