Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Toxicity of Trace Metals in Soil as Affected by Soil Type and Aging After Contamination: Using Calibrated Bioavailability Models to Set Ecological Soil Standards

Total concentrations of metals in soil are poor predictors of toxicity. In the last decade, considerable effort has been made to demonstrate how metal toxicity is affected by the abiotic properties of soil. Here this information is collated and shows how these data have been used in the European Union for defining predicted‐no‐effect concentrations (PNECs) of Cd, Cu, Co, Ni, Pb, and Zn in soil. Bioavailability models have been calibrated using data from more than 500 new chronic toxicity tests in soils amended with soluble metal salts, in experimentally aged soils, and in field‐contaminated soils. In general, soil pH was a good predictor of metal solubility but a poor predictor of metal toxicity across soils. Toxicity thresholds based on the free metal ion activity were generally more variable than those expressed on total soil metal, which can be explained, but not predicted, using the concept of the biotic ligand model. The toxicity thresholds based on total soil metal concentrations rise almost proportionally to the effective cation exchange capacity of soil. Total soil metal concentrations yielding 10% inhibition in freshly amended soils were up to 100‐fold smaller (median 3.4‐fold, n = 110 comparative tests) than those in corresponding aged soils or field‐contaminated soils. The change in isotopically exchangeable metal in soil proved to be a conservative estimate of the change in toxicity upon aging. The PNEC values for specific soil types were calculated using this information. The corrections for aging and for modifying effects of soil properties in metal‐salt‐amended soils are shown to be the main factors by which PNEC values rise above the natural background range.
‘If you pay, we'll operate immediately’

Objectives—To study the attitudes of health care staff in four postcommunist countries towards taking gifts from their clients—and their confessed experience of actually taking such gifts. Design—Survey questionnaire administered to officials including health care staff, supplemented by focus-group discussions with the general public. Setting – Ukraine, Bulgaria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Participants—A quota sample of 1,307 officials including 292 health care staff, supplemented by stratified national random samples of 4,778 ordinary members of the public and in-depth interviews or focus-group discussions involving another 323. Main measurements—Explicit justifications and willingness to accept offers, reported frequency of offers, and personal confessions to accepting “money and expensive presents” as well as smaller gifts. Results—Health care staff were far more inclined than the average official or public servant to accept “money or an expensive present” if offered, far more inclined to justify asking clients for “extra payments”, and far more inclined to confess that they had actually taken gifts from clients recently. Judged by their own confessions, hospital doctors were only rivalled by traffic police and customs officials for taking money or expensive gifts from their clients. Conclusions—Poor pay does not explain why doctors so often took large gifts from their clients. Moral self justification, opportunity, and bargaining power are much more effective explanations.
Consumption Behaviour and Conservation of Household Electricity in Delhi: A Factor Analysis Approach

Electricity has attained a very important place in every household on this planet. It is a major contributor towards improvement of the standard of living of any individual, family and society at large. The primary focus for this research is to demonstrate the viability of Factor Analysis as a statistical tool for use in exploratory research. This tool not only offers the possibility of attaining a clear view of the data but also the possibility of utilizing the output in further analyses. In this light, the paper aims to find the latent variables which explain the factors behind consumer behavior and awareness in context of household electricity consumption. A questionnaire based study for 395 Delhi households was undertaken wherein the sample households were selected on the basis of stratified random sampling technique. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) is conducted with a principal components extraction method and varimax rotation method. The factors are identified which stand valid to be included and targeted in further research on the electricity consumption and its conservation.
The calcium binding protein EhCaBP6 is a microtubular‐end binding protein in Entamoeba histolytica

The genome of Entamoeba histolytica encodes several calcium binding proteins and those characterized thus far have been shown to participate predominantly in phagocytosis and endocytosis. Our study showed that EhCaBP6 has two EF‐hand domains EFI and EFIII; it can bind Ca2+ in vitro and undergoes conformational transition on binding Ca2+ suggesting that it can serve as a calcium signal sensor. EhCaBP6 is localized in the nucleus, cytoplasm and plasma membrane and is sensitive to heat stress. Unlike other Ca2+ binding proteins that have been studied in E. histolytica, EhCaBP6 is found at microtubule ends and at the intercellular bridge with the microtubules during cytokinesis. Furthermore, increased expression of EhCaBP6 was correlated with a significant increase in the number of microtubular structures suggesting that this protein may regulate chromosome segregation and cytokinesis in E. histolytica.
Kinetic analysis of cardiac troponin I release is no more accurate than a single 24‐h measurement in predicting in‐hospital outcome after cardiac surgery

Background and objective A single cardiac troponin I (cTnI) 24‐h measurement is an independent predictor of short‐ and long‐term adverse outcome after coronary surgery. We compared a single cTnI 24‐h measurement and kinetic analysis of cTnI release in predicting in‐hospital outcome in unselected cardiac surgery patients. Methods Consecutive patients (n = 184) undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass were included and divided into two groups according to the time course of postoperative peak serum cTnI (6 or 24 h after surgery). Serial measurements of cTnI were performed the day before surgery, at the end of surgery and 6, 24 and 120 h after surgery in all patients. The total amount of cTnI released (integrated area under the curve), postoperative major adverse cardiac events (ventricular arrhythmias, myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure) and in‐hospital death were recorded. Data are expressed as median (95% CI). Results In all, 152 (83%) patients had an early peak cTnI (6 h after surgery) and 32 (17%) patients had a late peak cTnI (24 h after surgery). The integrated area under the curve differed between both groups: 159 (142–178) vs. 321 (255–590), respectively, P < 0.001. Major adverse cardiac events and/or death (22 vs. 9%, P = 0.04) was greater in patients with a late peak cTnI. The integrated area under the curve and the peak value of cTnI were no more accurate than a single 24‐h measurement in predicting the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events and/or death. Conclusions Kinetic analysis of cTnI release was no more accurate than a single 24‐h measurement in predicting in‐hospital poor outcome.
Brain glucose metabolism during non-rapid eye movement sleep in major depression. A positron emission tomography study.

BACKGROUND Depression is characterized by several sleep-related abnormalities shortly before and after sleep onset, such as prolonged sleep latency, loss of stage 3-4 sleep, reduced rapid eye movement (REM) latency, increased nocturnal core body temperature, and abnormal hormone secretion patterns. Sleep deprivation is associated with a temporary improvement in depression. We hypothesized that depressed patients may be "overaroused" and that absolute cerebral glucose metabolism would be elevated during the first nocturnal non-REM sleep period in depressed patients compared with normal controls. In addition, since hypofrontality (greater metabolic activity in occipital compared with frontal cortical activity) has been reported in waking positron emission tomographic studies of depressed patients compared with controls, we predicted significant hypofrontality in depressed patients during the first non-REM period. METHODS Positron emission tomography with fludeoxy-glucose F 18 was used to compare 10 unmedicated men with unipolar depression with 12 normal men during the first non-REM sleep period at normal bedtime. RESULTS Whole-brain absolute metabolic rate during non-REM sleep was significantly elevated (+47%) in patients compared with controls. Mean absolute cerebral glucose metabolic rate was also higher in every area of the brain in patients compared with normal controls. The greatest significant mean increases were in the posterior cingulate and amygdala (+44%), hippocampus (+37% to +43%), occipital and temporal cortex (+33% to +34%), and pons (+33%). Relative metabolic rates in specific neroanatomical areas, however, varied considerably both within the patient group and between patients and controls. Patients showed significant hypofrontality, particularly in the medio-orbital frontal cortex, compared with controls. Patients also showed significant reductions of relative metabolic rate in the anterior cingulate, caudate, and medial thalamus compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide further support for the hyperarousal hypothesis of some types of major depressive disorder. Abnormal patterns of cerebral metabolism during non-REM sleep in depressed patients confirmed earlier waking findings of decreased relative frontal and abnormal limbic metabolic activity and striatal metabolism in association with posterior cortical increases.
Perceived health-related quality of life and comorbidity in diabetic patients starting dialysis (CALVIDIA study).

BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a widespread prevalent illness, currently the main cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). MATERIAL AND METHODS In a longitudinal, prospective study we compared two cohorts of patients starting dialysis therapy, diabetic and non-diabetic ESRD patients. Perceived health was measured by the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire, functional status by the Karnofsky scale and comorbidity by the Charlson age-comorbidity index. A broad spectrum of variables in relation to diabetes, ESRD, comorbidity and renal replacement therapy (RRT) were studied, as well as the distribution of comorbidity frequencies at dialysis start. RESULTS Thirty-four Spanish centers included 232 diabetic patients, 43 type 1 and 189 type 2, mean diabetes duration 18 +/- 9 yrs, and five centers included 121 non-diabetic patients. Out of the 232 diabetic patients, 187 patients (81%) started hemodialysis (HD) and 45 patients (19%) started peritoneal dialysis (PD) (vs. 82% and 18%, respectively in non-diabetic patients). Transient vascular access (VA) for starting RRT was required in 54% of the diabetic patients vs. 53% in the nondiabetic patients. When both study groups were compared, diabetic patients required antihypertensive drugs more frequently than non-diabetic patients and showed higher systolic blood pressure (BP), as well as higher cardiovascular (CV) complication incidences, poorer SF-36 physical component summary scores and mental component summary scores and worse Karnofsky scale scores, with the Charlson age-comorbidity score being higher. CONCLUSION Diabetic patients starting dialysis in Spain are more often type 2 diabetics, have worse perceived health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in relation to non-diabetic patients, worse functional status and higher incidences of prognostic mortality markers.
Ultralow ON-Resistance SOI LDMOS With Three Separated Gates and High- $k$  Dielectric

A novel ultralow specific on-resistance (R<sub>ON,sp</sub>) SOI lateral double-diffused MOS (LDMOS) with three separated gates (TSGs) and high-k (HK) pillars is proposed and investigated by simulation. The TSGs include the planar gate (G<sub>X</sub>), the segmented trench gate (G<sub>Y</sub>) between the p+ body contact regions, and the embedded trench gate (G<sub>Z</sub>) connected with HK pillars and p-well regions. First, in the on-state, the TSGs form three channels, including one lateral channel and two vertical channels, which can decrease R<sub>ON,sp</sub> significantly. Second, G<sub>Y</sub> and G<sub>Z</sub> are extended to the buried oxide, widening the vertical conduction area and enhancing the current density in the bulk to further reduce RON,sp. Furthermore, the electron accumulation layer (EAL) is formed not only beside the extended G<sub>Y</sub> and G<sub>Z</sub>, but also along the sidewall of the drift region near the source side, thus reducing R<sub>ON,sp</sub> greatly. Third, the HK pillars can increase the optimal drift doping concentration (Nd) to decrease R<sub>ON,sp</sub> owing to the assisted depletion effect. The device obtains an ultralow R<sub>ON,sp</sub> of 0.34 mΩ · cm<sup>2</sup> at BV = 97 V. Compared with the conventional LDMOS and other previous devices, the TSG-HK LDMOS achieves better tradeoff between the breakdown voltage and R<sub>ON,sp</sub>.
Transcriptional responses of human epidermal keratinocytes to cytokine interleukin‐1

Interleukin‐1 is a proinflammatory and immunomodulatory cytokine that plays a crucial role in inflammatory diseases of the skin, including bacterial infections, bullous diseases, UV damage, and especially psoriasis. To characterize the molecular effects of IL‐1 in epidermis, we defined the transcriptional changes in human epidermal keratinocytes 1, 4, 24, and 48 h after treatment with IL‐1α. IL‐1 significantly regulated 388 genes, including genes associated with proteolysis, adhesion, signal transduction, proliferation, and epidermal differentiation. IL‐1 induces many genes that have antimicrobial function. Secreted cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and their receptors are the prominent targets of IL‐1 regulation, including IL‐8, IL‐19, elafin, C3, and S100A proteins, which implicate IL‐1 in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. IL‐1 induced not only proliferation‐associated genes but also differentiation marker genes such as transglutaminase‐1 and involucrin, which suggests that IL‐1 plays an important role in the aberrant proliferation and differentiation seen in psoriasis. Correlation of IL‐1 regulated genes with the TNFα and IFNγ regulated ones showed more similarities between IL‐1 and TNFα than IL‐1 and IFNγ, whereas Oncostatin‐M (OsM) affected a largely unrelated set of genes. IL‐1 regulates many genes previously shown to be specifically over‐expressed in psoriasis. In summary, IL‐1 regulates a characteristic set of genes that define its specific contribution to inflammation and aberrant differentiation in skin diseases. J. Cell. Physiol. 214:1–13, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Emergent Market for Information Professionals: Educational Opportunities and Implications

THE SCALE AND SCOPE of the emergent market for information professionals are outlined. National and state-level data are used to define employment opportunities and educational requirements. The data were derived from: (1) content analysis of job advertisements, (2) survey responses from library school graduates, and (3) field interviews with information specialists. Market opportunities and constraints are identified. Repositioning strategies for schools of library and information science are proposed. BACKGROUND Machlup’s (1962) and Porat’s (1977) landmark analyses of the U.S. economy highlighted the growing importance of the information and knowledge industries. Today, the primary and secondary information sectors account for a significant proportion of the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and the GNP (Gross National Product) in many developed economies. The labor market implications of such rapid economic transformations are likely to be profound, and they raise a host of questions relating to educational strategy and responsiveness, not least for the library and information science (LIS) community (e.g., Angell, 1987; Brinberg, 1986; Brittain, 1989; Turner & Bray, 1989). Despite persistent terminological and scholarly
A Time-Saving Method to Assess Power Output at Lactate Threshold in Well-Trained and Elite Cyclists

Abstract Støren, Ø, Rønnestad, BR, Sunde, A, Hansen, J, Ellefsen, S, and Helgerud, J. A time-saving method to assess power output at lactate threshold in well-trained and elite cyclists. J Strength Cond Res 28(3): 622–629, 2014—The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between lactate threshold (LT) as a percentage of maximal oxygen consumption (V[Combining Dot Above]O2max) and power output at LT (LTW) and also to investigate to what extent V[Combining Dot Above]O2max, oxygen cost of cycling (CC), and maximal aerobic power (MAP) determine LTW in cycling to develop a new time-saving model for testing LTW. To do this, 108 male competitive cyclists with an average V[Combining Dot Above]O2max of 65.2 ± 7.4 ml·kg−1·min−1 and an average LTW of 274 ± 43 W were tested for V[Combining Dot Above]O2max, LT %V[Combining Dot Above]O2max, LTW, MAP, and CC on a test ergometer cycle. The product of MAP and individual LT in %V[Combining Dot Above]O2max was found to be a good determinant of LTW (R = 0.98, p < 0.0001). However, LT in %V[Combining Dot Above]O2max was found to be a poor determinant of LTW (R = 0.39, p < 0.0001). Based on these findings, we have suggested a new time-saving method for calculating LTW in well-trained cyclists. The benefits from this model come both from tracking LTW during training interventions and from regularly assessing training status in competitive cyclists. Briefly, this method is based on the present findings that LTW depends on LT in %V[Combining Dot Above]O2max, V[Combining Dot Above]O2max, and CC and may after an initial test session reduce the time for the subsequent testing of LTW by as much as 50% without the need for blood samples.
Investigating the Factors Influencing Students' Intention to Adopt E-Learning in a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) Economy: Evidence from Mauritius

Abstract This study is designed to investigate the factors influencing students' intention to adopt electronic learning (e-learning) in a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) economy. The overarching theory underpinning this study is the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) which has been extended to include the learner's computer self-efficacy, the course flexibility and the instructor's attitude dimensions. Constructs from this extended TAM were used to design a questionnaire that was administered among 494 students using a survey method. Relevant hypothesis were formulated and tested using multiple regression analysis. The results indicate that gender, type of course, Internet experience, prior experience in e-learning/mixed mode courses and initial proficiency level in e-learning significantly impacted on student's intention to enroll for a fully online degree programme. Furthermore, computer self-efficacy, course flexibility and the instructor's attitude were found to be pertinent antecedent to the Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU) and Perceived Usefulness (PU) while (PEOU) and (PU) were both found to be predictors of attitude towards e-learning. These results have managerial implications for higher education institutions which need to pay a close attention to the factors influencing students' attitude towards e-learning.
Selection of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors for upstream use in patients with diabetes experiencing unstable angina or non‐ST segment elevation myocardial infarction. What have we learned in the last 10 years?

Coronary disease accounts for the majority of deaths among patients with diabetes and the thrombotic milieu accelerated by diabetes results in unstable angina (UA), non‐ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) or ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or death. Upstream use of a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GP IIb/IIIa) inhibitor with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) as part of an early invasive approach is preferred. However substantial numbers of patients present to rural or non‐teaching hospitals without immediate access to a catheterization laboratory. Enhanced GP IIb/IIIa receptor mobilization, TXA2 production and platelet activation together present an extensive thrombotic challenge that may not be overcome with current doses of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors when used without PCI. Heterogeneity of platelet aggregometric analysis may have identified GP IIb/IIIa doses used in clinical trials that may not fully overcome the thrombotic challenge in patients with diabetes. GUSTO‐IV ACS failed to demonstrate a difference in mortality when used without PCI. The PURSUIT trial provided evidence that eptifibatide decreases death or non‐fatal myocardial infarction (MI) in the main group and in the diabetic subgroup. Reductions in this primary endpoint were driven by the reduction in non‐fatal MI. The PRISM and PRISM‐PLUS trials demonstrated a reduction in death, MI or refractory ischaemia at 48 h or 7 days in the main cohort but not specifically in patients with diabetes. Data supporting use of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors are inconsistent, raising the question of whether these agents should be used at all without PCI. Variability in experimental methodology of platelet aggregometry and selection of anticoagulant used during dose finding studies may have generated doses that are insufficient to overcome the thrombotic burden. A new marker of active inflammation, sCD40L is found to be upregulated at subtherapeutic doses of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors, suggesting that rebound inflammatory processes may partially account for absence of clear evidence of benefit with some GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors in patients with diabetes experiencing UA/NSTEMI.
Combination versus sequential doxorubicin and docetaxel as primary chemotherapy for breast cancer: A randomized pilot trial of the Hoosier Oncology Group.

PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of combination and sequential dose-dense chemotherapy with doxorubicin and docetaxel (Taxotere; Rhône-Poulenc Rorer, Collegeville, PA) as primary chemotherapy of breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with newly diagnosed stage II or noninflammatory stage III breast cancer were randomly assigned to receive the same total doses of doxorubicin and docetaxel over a 12-week period before definitive surgery. Patients in arm A received sequential therapy with doxorubicin 75 mg/m(2) every 2 weeks for three cycles followed by docetaxel 100 mg/m(2) every 2 weeks for three cycles. Patients in arm B received combination therapy with doxorubicin 56 mg/m(2) plus docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks for four cycles. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor was administered on days 2 to 12 of each cycle in both groups. RESULTS Forty patients were entered onto the trial. Pretreatment tumor size averaged 5.7 cm with clinically positive axillary lymph nodes in 23 patients (57%). As expected, myelosuppression was severe in both groups; however, >/= 80% of planned dose-intensity was delivered. Hand-foot syndrome was more common after sequential therapy. Clinical responses were similar in both groups, with an overall response rate of 87%, including 20% clinical complete remissions. Pathologic complete remission or residual in situ disease only was confirmed in five patients (12.8%). Patients who received sequential therapy had fewer positive lymph nodes (mean, 2.17 v 4.81; P <.037) at definitive surgery. CONCLUSION Primary chemotherapy with doxorubicin and docetaxel is well tolerated and highly active. A sequential treatment schedule increases toxicity but may result in more substantial lymph node clearance than combination therapy.