Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Linking stem growth respiration to the seasonal course of stem growth and GPP of Scots pine

Abstract Current methods to study relations between stem respiration and stem growth have been hampered by problems in quantifying stem growth from dendrometer measurements, particularly on a daily time scale. This is mainly due to the water-related influences within these measurements that mask growth. A previously published model was used to remove water-related influences from measured radial stem variations to reveal a daily radial growth signal (ΔˆGm). We analysed the intra- and inter-annual relations between ΔˆGm and estimated growth respiration rates (Rg) on a daily scale for 5 years. Results showed that Rg was weakly correlated to stem growth prior to tracheid formation, but was significant during the early summer. In the late summer, the correlation decreased slightly relative to the early summer. A 1-day time lag was found of ΔˆGm preceding Rg. Using wavelet analysis and measurements from eddy covariance, it was found that Rg followed gross primary production and temperature with a 2 and 3 h time lag, respectively.This study shows that further in-depth analysis of in-situ growth and growth respiration dynamics is greatly needed, with a focus on cellular respiration at specific developmental stages, its woody tissue costs and linkages to source–sink processes and environmental drivers.
Risk Factors for Hemorrhage during Microelectrode-guided Deep Brain Stimulator Implantation for Movement Disorders

OBJECTIVE:Although hemorrhage is a well-known complication of microelectrode-guided deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery, risk factors for the development of hemorrhage have not been well defined. We analyzed the risk factors for symptomatic and asymptomatic hemorrhage in a large series of DBS implantations into the subthalamic nucleus, ventrolateral thalamus, and internal globus pallidus. METHODS:All DBS procedures performed by a single surgeon at our institution between June 1998 and May 2004 were included in this study. All patients had postoperative imaging (magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography) 4 to 24 hours after surgery. Hematomas were noted and scored as symptomatic or asymptomatic. Statistical correlation of factors affecting risk of hematoma formation was performed by use of logistic regression analysis. RESULTS:The total number of lead implantations was 481. There were 6 symptomatic hematomas and 10 asymptomatic hematomas. Three of the symptomatic hematomas resulted in permanent new neurological deficit. The risk of hematoma (of any type) per lead implantation was 3.3%, whereas the risk of permanent deficit from hematoma was 0.6%. Patients who developed hematomas had a slightly greater number of microelectrode recording penetrations than patients who did not have hematomas, but this difference did not reach statistical significance. There was not a statistically significant relationship between risk of hematoma and patient age or diagnosis. There was a significant effect of brain target (P = 0.001), with only 1 hemorrhage detected after thalamic DBS. CONCLUSION:DBS is generally safe, with only 0.6% of implantations associated with permanent neurological deficit. The incremental risk of successive serial microelectrode penetrations is small.
Occupational Health Practice and Exposure to Nanoparticles: Reconciling Scientific Evidence, Ethical Aspects, and Legal Requirements

ABSTRACT The paper aims at focusing the relationship between scientific evidence and ethical values’ issues of occupational health practice according to the new Italian law 81/2008 stating that the occupational health physician (OHP) is required to act according to the Code of Ethics of the International Commission on Occupational Health. The code itself emphasizes that (i) the practice should be relevant, knowledge-based, sound, and appropriate to the occupational risks and (ii) the objectives and methods of health surveillance must be clearly defined. Because exposure to nanoparticles involves several uncertainties about health effects and may limit the effectiveness of workers’ health surveillance, OHPs face a several ethical dilemmas, involving different stakeholders. The dilemmas arising from the practice should be dealt with according to the ethical principles of beneficence, autonomy, and justice in order to take a decision.
Visceral leishmaniasis: An immunological viewpoint on asymptomatic infections and post kala azar dermal leishmaniasis

Elimination of visceral leishmaniasis is a priority programme in Indian subcontinent. The World Health Organization has set a new target to eliminate kala-azar by the year 2020 as previous target elimination year (2015) has passed. The elimination programme has successfully curbed the rate of infection in endemic regions; however, there are still few challenges in its route. The current drug control regime is extremely limited and comprises only two (amphotericin B and miltefosine) drugs, which are also susceptible for parasites resistance. Moreover, these drugs do not produce sterile cure, and cured patients may develop post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis even after a decade of cure leaving behind a potent source of parasitic reservoirs for further disease transmission. A significant proportion of endemic population remain seropositive but aymptomatic for many years without any clinical symptom that serve as latent parasitic reservoirs. The lack of tools to identify live parasites in asymptomatic infections and there association in disease transmission, parameters of sterile cure along with post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis progression remain a major threat in its elimination. In this review, we discuss the potential of host immune inhibitory mechanisms to identify immune correlates of protective immunity to understand the mystery of asymptomatic infections, sterile cure and post kala azar dermal leishmaniasis.
Policy Recommendations for Tobacco Taxation in the European Union Integrated Research Findings from the PPACTE Project

Currie, L; Townsend, J; Roux, ML; Godfrey, F; Gallus, S; Gilmore, A; Levy, D; Nguyen, L; Rosenqvist, G; Clancy, L; (2012) Policy Recommendations for Tobacco Taxation in the European Union Integrated Research Findings from the PPACTE Project. Technical Report. Research Institute for a Tobacco Free Society (RIFTFS), Dublin. https://researchonline.lshtm. ac.uk/id/eprint/1249628 Downloaded from: http://researchonline.lshtm. ac.uk/1249628/ DOI:
Using Association Rule Mining : Stock Market Events Prediction from Financial News

Ability to predict direction of stock price accurately is very crucial for market dealers or investors to maximize their profits. Decision-making such as whether to buy, sell or hold of shares for investor in stock market is also another difficult task. Data mining techniques have been successfully shown to generate high forecasting accuracy of stock price movement and corresponding signals. Prediction of stock price is the activity of determining future state of the stock price by using various techniques. In presented work Data Mining Technique such as Association Rule Mining is used for prediction of stock market. Prediction is depends on technical trading indicators and closing prices of the stock. Rules are defined according to signal generated by each technical trading indicator and mapped across the current date query to generate the signals like buy, sell or holds the shares.
[Effect of rhubarb on neonatal rats with bronchopulmonary dysplasia induced by hyperoxia].

OBJECTIVE To study the effect of rhubarb on neonatal rats with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) induced by hyperoxia. METHODS A total of 64 rats (postnatal day 4) were randomly divided into four groups: air control, rhubarb control, hyperoxia model, and hyperoxia+rhubarb (n=16 each). The rats in the hyperoxia model and hyperoxia+rhubarb groups were exposed to hyperoxia (60% O2) to establish a BPD model. The rats in the rhubarb control and hyperoxia+rhubarb groups were given rhubarb extract suspension (600 mg/kg) by gavage daily. The pathological changes of lung tissue were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining on postnatal days 14 and 21. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured by spectrophotometry. The mRNA and protein expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot respectively. RESULTS The hyperoxia model group showed reduced alveolar number, increased alveolar volume, and simplified alveolar structure, which worsened over the time of exposure to hyperoxia. These pathological changes were significantly reduced in the hyperoxia+rhubarb group. On postnatal days 14 and 21, compared with the air control and rhubarb control groups, the hyperoxia model group had significantly reduced radical alveolar count (RAC), significantly reduced activity of SOD in the lung tissue, and significantly increased content of MDA and mRNA and protein expression levels of TNF-α and IL-6 (P<0.05). Compared with the hyperoxia model group, the hyperoxia+rhubarb group had significantly increased RAC, significantly increased activity of SOD in the lung tissue, and significantly reduced content of MDA and mRNA and protein expression levels of TNF-α and IL-6 (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Rhubarb may play a protective role in rats with BPD induced by hyperoxia through inhibiting inflammatory response and oxidative stress.
Menu Development and Analysis in UK Restaurant Chains

This paper reports on a study of menu development and analysis policies and practices in seven of the top UK foodservice chains. The study reveals a range of alternative policies based largely on in-house expertise rather than any of the approaches proposed in the literature on this subject. An analysis of these firms suggests there are three alternative strategic approaches to menu development: the ‘minimal adjustment’ strategy, the menu development strategy, and the dish (or menu item) development strategy.
RUL prediction based on a new similarity-instance based approach

Prognostics is a major activity of Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) in many industrial domains where safety, reliability and cost reduction are of high importance. The main objective of prognostics is to provide an estimation of the Remaining Useful Life (RUL) of a degrading component/ system, i.e. to predict the time after which a component/system will no longer be able to meet its operating requirements. This RUL prediction is a challenging task that requires special attention when modeling the prognostics approach. In this paper, we proposes a RUL prediction approach based on Instance Based Learning (IBL) with an emphasis on the retrieval step of the latter. The method is divided into two steps: an offline and an online step. The purpose of the offline phase is to learn a model that represents the degradation behavior of a critical component using a history of run-to-failure data. This modeling step enables us to construct a library of health indicators (HI's) from run-to-failure data which are then used online to estimate the RUL of components at an early stage of life, by comparing their HI's to the ones of the library built in the offline phase. Our approach makes use of a new similarity measure between HIs. The proposed approach was tested on real turbofan data set and showed good performance compared to other existing approaches.
Lignin composition is related to xylem embolism resistance and leaf life span in trees in a tropical semiarid climate.

Wood properties influence the leaf life span (LL) of tree crowns. As lignin is an important component of wood and the water transport system, we investigated its relationship with embolism resistance and the LL of several tree species in a seasonally dry tropical ecosystem. We determined total lignin and the monomer contents of guaiacyl (G) and syringyl (S) and related them to wood traits and xylem vulnerability to embolism (Ψ50 ) for the most common species of the Brazilian semiarid, locally known as Caatinga. Leaf life span was negatively related to Ψ50 and positively related to S : G, which was negatively related to Ψ50 . This means that greater S : G increases LL by reducing Ψ50 . Lignin content was not correlated with any variable. We found two apparently unrelated axes of drought resistance. One axis, associated with lignin monomeric composition, increases LL in the dry season as a result of lower xylem embolism vulnerability. The other, associated with wood density and stem water content, helps leafless trees to withstand drought and allows them to resprout at the end of the dry season. The monomeric composition of lignin (S : G) is therefore an important functional wood attribute affecting several key functional aspects of tropical tree species in a semiarid climate.
Dexamethasone modulates BMP‐2 effects on mesenchymal stem cells in vitro

Dexamethasone/ascorbic acid/glycerolphosphate (DAG) and bone morphogenic protein (BMP)‐2 are potent agents in cell proliferation and differentiation pathways. This study investigates the in vitro interactions between dexamethasone and BMP‐2 for an osteoblastic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Bone marrow‐derived human MSCs were cultured with DAG (group A), BMP‐2 + DAG (group B), and DAG + BMP‐2 combined with a porous collagen I/III scaffold (group C). RT‐PCR, ELISA, immuncytochemical stainings and flow cytometry analysis served to evaluate the osteogenic‐promoting potency of each of the above conditions in terms of cell morphology/viability, antigen presentation, and gene expression. DAG induced collagen I secretion from MSCs, which was further increased by the combination of DAG + BMP‐2. In comparison, the collagen scaffold and the control samples showed no significant influence on collagen I secretion of MSCs. DAG stimulation of MSCs led also to a steady but not significant increase of BMP‐2 level. A DAG and more, a DAG + BMP‐2, stimulation increased the number of mesenchymal cells (CD105+/CD73+). All samples showed mRNA of ALP, osteopontin, Runx2, Twist 1 and 2, Notch‐1/2, osteonectin, osteocalcin, BSP, and collagen‐A1 after 28 days of in vitro culture. Culture media of all samples showed a decrease in Ca2+ and PO 42− concentration, whereas a collagen‐I‐peak only occurred at day 28 in DAG‐ and DAG + BMP‐2‐stimulated bone marrow cells. In conclusion, BMP‐2 enhances DAG‐induced osteogenic differentiation in mesenchymal bone marrow cells. Both agents interact in various ways and can modify osteoblastic bone formation. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 26:1440–1448, 2008
Privacy Preserving Suppression Algorithm for Anonymous Databases

Suppose a medical facility connected with a research institution and the researchers can use the medical details of a patient without knowing the personal details. Thus the research data base used by the researchers must be anonymized (Sanitized). We can consider another problem in the area of census. Individuals give the private information to a trusted party (Census Bureau) and the census bureau must publish anonymized or sanitized version of data. So anonymization is done for privacy. Our works deals with privacy in database system.
Estimating the effect of vocational training programs on employment and wage: The case of Tunisia

The aim of this paper is to estimate the impact of vocational training programs offered in Tunisia on employment and wage of individuals. The data we use come from a study carried out in Tunisia in 2001 by the Ministry of Vocational Training and Employment on the graduates of the national vocational training. We use different econometric approaches as well as a parametric selection model to estimate the effect of these programs. The results show that the participation of individuals in training programs in Tunisia increases their probability to find a job and their monthly wage.
Regulation of DNA methylation turnover at LTR retrotransposons and imprinted loci by the histone methyltransferase Setdb1

Significance DNA methylation is essential for mammalian development. This modification is nearly completely erased and reestablished in early embryos, but specific classes of DNA elements escape such genome-wide changes via unknown mechanisms. In this study, we identified a likely factor responsible for lack of DNA methylation turnover on a large fraction of such sequences. By focusing on mouse embryonic stem cells depleted of de novo DNA methyltransferases, which exhibit widespread hypomethylation with the exception of particular loci, we show that regions retaining DNA methylation are associated with a specific chromatin state. In cells lacking the enzyme catalyzing this chromatin state, such regions begin to lose DNA methylation. Our results therefore advance the understanding of how DNA methylation turnover is regulated during development. During mammalian development, DNA methylation patterns need to be reset in primordial germ cells (PGCs) and preimplantation embryos. However, many LTR retrotransposons and imprinted genes are impervious to such global epigenetic reprogramming via hitherto undefined mechanisms. Here, we report that a subset of such genomic regions are resistant to widespread erasure of DNA methylation in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) lacking the de novo DNA methyltransferases (Dnmts) Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b. Intriguingly, these loci are enriched for H3K9me3 in mESCs, implicating this mark in DNA methylation homeostasis. Indeed, deletion of the H3K9 methyltransferase SET domain bifurcated 1 (Setdb1) results in reduced H3K9me3 and DNA methylation levels at specific loci, concomitant with increased 5-hydroxymethylation (5hmC) and ten-eleven translocation 1 binding. Taken together, these data reveal that Setdb1 promotes the persistence of DNA methylation in mESCs, likely reflecting one mechanism by which DNA methylation is maintained at LTR retrotransposons and imprinted genes during developmental stages when DNA methylation is reprogrammed.
Haematological Response of Rastrineobola argentea Exposed To Subchronic Doses of Inorganic Cadmium (Cd), Methylmercury and Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) via Dietary Exposure Pathway

Haematological indices provide information on various aspects of fish health when exposed to environmental contaminants. We evaluated the effects of cadmium, methyl mercury (MeHg), and Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) on the haematological parameters of a tropical fish. One hundred and eighty (180) mature individuals of the freshwater fish Rastrienobola argentea were exposed to dietary subchronic doses of Cd (4 µg g g 1 CaCl2), MeHg (0.1 CH3HgCl µg g 1 ) and PCBs (0.2 µg g 1 ). After 45 days, blood was sampled from exposed and control groups to evaluate haematological effects of contaminants on erythrocytes, total leukocytes and differential leukocytes counts, haematocrit, heemoglobin concentration, red blood cell indices, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). Results showed that red blood cells counts, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, leukocytes, neutrophils, and mononuclear cells counts, significantly (P 0.05) increase between control groups with the Cd, MeHg and PCB tested groups. The present study shows that changes in haematological parameters were detectable at sub-chronic exposure to contaminants, but their application in field biomonitoring using R. argentea will need more detailed studies.
Important and specific role for basophils in acute allergic reactions

IgE‐mediated allergic reactions involve the activation of effector cells, predominantly through the high‐affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) on mast cells and basophils. Although the mast cell is considered the major effector cell during acute allergic reactions, more recent studies indicate a potentially important and specific role for basophils and their migration which occurs rapidly upon allergen challenge in humans undergoing anaphylaxis. We review the evidence for a role of basophils in contributing to clinical symptoms of anaphylaxis and discuss the possibility that basophil trafficking during anaphylaxis might be a pathogenic (to target organs) or protective (preventing degranulation in circulation) response. Finally, we examine the potential role of basophils in asthma exacerbations. Understanding the factors that regulate basophil trafficking and activation might lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in anaphylaxis and asthma.
Ringer’s lactate solution enhances the inflammatory response during fluid resuscitation of experimentally induced haemorrhagic shock in rats

Introduction Hemorrhagic shock leads to systemic oxygen deficit (hypoxaemia) that results in systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), a recognised cause of late mortality in this case. The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of fluid resuscitation, using two Ringer solutions, on the microcirculation changes that take place during experimentally induced haemorrhagic shock. Material and methods A model of the rat cremaster muscle was used to assess microcirculation in vivo. The experimental groups (n = 10 each) included: control (CTRL); shock (HSG); Ringer’s acetate (RAG); and Ringer’s lactate (RLG). Microhaemodynamic parameters were measured during the experiment. Results A statistically significantly higher level of leukocytes, both those attached to the endothelium and those located in the extravascular space (p < 0.05), was reported in the lactate Ringer (LR) group compared with the AR group. There were significant differences in the activity of A3 arterioles compared with A1 and A2 arterioles. Ringer’s lactate solution seemed to the inflammation response during fluid resuscitation from haemorrhagic shock. A3 arterioles are likely to play a role as a pre-capillary sphincter in the skeletal muscle. Conclusions The present study revealed that fluid resuscitation with Ringer’s lactate solution exacerbates inflammation in the skeletal muscle. It is worth noting that Ringer’s acetate solution reduces local inflammation and could therefore be recommended as the “first line” crystalloid of the fluid resuscitation during haemorrhagic shock.
Accuracy-Constrained Privacy-Preserving Cell Level Access Control Mechanism for Relational Data

: To prevent the misuse of sensitive data by the authorized users and provide both privacy and security of the sensitive data. New approach has investigated privacy-preservation from the anonymity aspect. The access control mechanisms and privacy preservation mechanisms protect the data from unauthorized or third party user. When there is a lack in privacy preserving mechanism (PPM) and data is shared with others, the authorized user may need to compromise the privacy of data or Information. The privacy preservation can be achieved through anonymization techniques like generalization or suppression. Along with privacy the precision of the authorized data is important. The aim of the work is to provide better security and minimum level of precision to the retrieved data, for that in this paper an accuracy constrained privacy preserving access control mechanism is implemented with additional constraint on each selection predicate called imprecision bounds. New approach plan to extend the proposed privacy-preserving cell level access control . Todays fast growing world, the malicious intent or hacking purpose also increasing. So there is a need to provide a better security to our system.