Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Understanding molecular mechanisms for improving phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils

Heavy metal pollution of soil is a significant environmental problem with a negative potential impact on human health and agriculture. Rhizosphere, as an important interface of soil and plants, plays a significant role in phytoremediation of contaminated soil by heavy metals, in which, microbial populations are known to affect heavy metal mobility and availability to the plant through release of chelating agents, acidification, phosphate solubilization and redox changes, and therefore, have potential to enhance phytoremediation processes. Phytoremediation strategies with appropriate heavy metal-adapted rhizobacteria or mycorrhizas have received more and more attention. In addition, some plants possess a range of potential mechanisms that may be involved in the detoxification of heavy metals, and they manage to survive under metal stresses. High tolerance to heavy metal toxicity could rely either on reduced uptake or increased plant internal sequestration, which is manifested by an interaction between a genotype and its environment.A coordinated network of molecular processes provides plants with multiple metal-detoxifying mechanisms and repair capabilities. The growing application of molecular genetic technologies has led to an increased understanding of mechanisms of heavy metal tolerance/accumulation in plants and, subsequently, many transgenic plants with increased heavy metal resistance, as well as increased uptake of heavy metals, have been developed for the purpose of phytoremediation. This article reviews advantages, possible mechanisms, current status and future direction of phytoremediation for heavy-metal–contaminated soils.
Effects of Combined Glucose and Fat Load on Endothelium-Dependent Brachial Artery Vasodilatation in Hypertensive Patients

Introduction:This study investigated the effects of combined glucose and fat load on glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as on vascular endothelial function, in hypertensive patients. Methods and Results:A total of 98 hypertensive patients were randomly divided into 3 groups that received an oral fat tolerance test (OFTT), an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) or a combined oral glucose and fat tolerance test (OGFTT). Endothelium-dependent flow-mediated brachial artery dilation (FMD) was measured by vascular ultrasound and was used as an indicator of vascular endothelial function. There were no significant differences in demographics or clinical characteristics among the 3 groups before the study. Immediately after the OGFTT, the serum triglyceride levels and the area under the curve for serum glucose in the OGFTT group were not significantly different from those in the other 2 groups. However, the 1-hour FMD in the OGFTT group was significantly reduced compared with that of the OGTT group (5.45 ± 0.75 versus 9.46 ± 1.32, P < 0.05), and the 4-hour FMD in the OGFTT group was also significantly reduced compared with the OFTT group (8.56 ± 1.09 versus 9.76 ± 2.00, P < 0.05). Conclusion:A combined glucose and fat load has a cumulative effect on vascular endothelial dysfunction in hypertensive patients.
Indications for Endoscopic or Surgical Treatment of Chronic Pancreatitis

In patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis, pain as the predominant symptom remains a therapeutic challenge which often cannot be tackled conservatively. Since pancreatic duct obstruction – frequently within the pancreatic head – is an important etiological factor, treatment in these cases aims at decompressing the duct either endoscopically or surgically. Endoscopic drainage includes sphincterotomy, dilation of strictures, removal of stones, and insertion of a stent; it has a success rate of 30–100%. Surgical treatment may be accomplished by drainage or resection procedures. Drainage procedures (such as the longitudinal opening of the pancreatic duct followed by a pancreaticojejunostomy) can be performed with a low rate of postoperative complications (6–30%) and mortality (0–2%), and can achieve long-term pain relief in 65–85% of the cases. Furthermore, there are a variety of resection procedures such as pancreaticoduodenenectomy (Whipple procedure), pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenenectomy, different types of the duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection (i.e. Beger, Frey, or Büchler procedures), segmentectomy, and V-shaped excision of the pancreatic duct. However, the surgical procedure of choice is controversially discussed. While it has been shown that parenchyma-preserving surgery is superior to more extensive resections, it remains unclear which of the modifications of the parenchyma-sparing procedures is suited best for which case. Recently, two randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that surgical treatment is superior to endotherapy in long-term pain reduction, physical health score results, and the number of reinterventions. Thus, in patients with chronic pancreatitis refractory to conservative medical treatment, surgery rather than endotherapy is the standard of care. Parenchyma-preserving resections should preferably be performed because they ensure lower morbidity and mortality, preserve endocrine function, and improve quality of life.
An intelligent human-robot interaction framework to control the human attention

Attention control can be defined as shifting someone's attention from his/her existing attentional focus to another. However, it is not an easy task for the robot to control a human's attention toward its intended direction, especially when the robot and the human are not facing each other, or the human is intensely attending his/her task. The robot should convey some communicative intention through appropriate actions according to the human's situation. In this paper, we propose a robotic framework to control the human attention in terms of three phases: attracting attention, making eye contact, and shifting attention. Results show that the robot can attract a person's attention by three actions: head turning, head shaking, and uttering reference terms corresponding to three viewing situations in which the human vision senses the robot (near peripheral filed of view, far peripheral field of view, and out of field of view). After gaining attention, the robot makes eye contact through showing gaze awareness by blinking its eyes, and directs the human attention by the combination of eye and head turning behavior to share an object. Experiments using sixteen participants confirm the effectiveness of the propose framework to control human attention.
Sovereign risk modelling and applications

This dissertation deals with the mathematical modelling of sovereign credit risk and its applications. In Chapter 1, motivated by the European sovereign debt crisis, we propose a hybrid sovereign risk model which takes into account both the movement of the sovereign solvency and the impact of critical political events besides the idiosyncratic credit risk. We are interested in the probability that the default occurs at critical political dates, for which we obtain closed-form formulae in a Markovian setting, where we deal with some unusual features, such as a treatment of the CEV model when the elasticity parameter β > 1. We compute explicitly the compensator process of default and show that the intensity process does not exist. In Chapter 2, by studying certain hybrid models in literature on credit risks, we consider a type of random times whose conditional probability distribution is not continuous and by which standard intensity and density hypotheses in the enlargement of ﬁltrations are not satisﬁed. We propose a generalised density approach, where the hypothesis of Jacod is relaxed, in order to deal with such random times in the framework of progressive enlargement of ﬁltrations We also study classic problems such as the computation of the compensator process of the random time, the decomposition of the Azema supermartingale, as well as the martingale characterisation. The martingale and semimartingale decompositions in the enlarged ﬁltration show that the H’-hypothesis holds in this generalised framework. In Chapter 3, we display several applications of the models proposed in the previous chapters. The most important application of the hybrid default model and the generalised density approach is the valuation of default claims. The results explain the signiﬁcant negative jumps in the long-term Greek government bond yield during the sovereign debt crisis. The solvency of Greece tends to fall gradually through time and the bond yield has negative jumps when critical political events are held. In particular, the size of a jump depends on the seriousness of an exogenous shock, the elapsed time since the last political event, and the value of the recovery payment. The generalised density approach also makes possible the modelling of simultaneous defaults, which are rare but may have an important impact.
3′ processing in protists

Molecular biologists have traditionally focused on the very small corner of eukaryotic evolution that includes yeast and animals; even plants have been neglected. In this article, we describe the scant information that is available concerning RNA processing in the other four major eukaryotic groups, especially pathogenic protists. We focus mainly on polyadenylation and nuclear processing of stable RNAs. These processes have—where examined—been shown to be conserved, but there are many novel details. We also briefly mention other processing reactions such as splicing. WIREs RNA 2011 2 247–255 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.49
Efficacy of 5‐Azacytidine in a TET2 mutated angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma

Becker, R.C. , Eisenberg, P. & Turpie, A.G. (2001) Pathobiologic features and prevention of thrombotic complications associated with prosthetic heart valves: fundamental principles and the contribution of platelets and thrombin. American Heart Journal, 141, 1025–1037. ten Cate, H. (2012) Tissue factor-driven thrombin generation and inflammation in atherosclerosis. Thrombosis Research, 129, S38–S40. Choudhury, A. & Lip, G.Y. H. (2003) Atrial Fibrillation and the Hypercoagulable state: from basic science to clinical practice. Pathophysiology of Haemostasis and Thrombosis, 33, 282–289. Colucci, M. , Stramaglia, A.M., Mascolo, E. , Napoleone, E. , Lorenzet, R. & Semeraro, N. (2001) Monocytes, but not endothelial cells, downregulate the anticoagulant activity of activated protein C. British Journal of Haematology, 112, 519–526. Connolly, S.J., Ezekowitz, M.D., Yusuf, S. , Eikelboom, J., Oldgren, J., Parekh, A. , Pogue, J., Reilly, P.A. , Themeles, E. , Varrone, J., Wang, S. , Alings, M. , Xavier, D. , Zhu, J., Diaz, R. , Lewis, B.S., Darius, H. , Diener, H.C. , Joyner, C.D. , Wallentin, L. & RE-LY Steering Committee and Investigators (2009) Dabigatran versus warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation. The New England Journal of Medicine, 361, 1139–1151. Eikelboom, J.W. , Connolly, S.J., Brueckmann, M. , Granger, C.B. , Kappetein, A.P., Mack, M.J., Blatchford, J., Devenny, K. , Friedman, J., Guiver, K. , Harper, R. , Khder, Y. , Lobmeyer, M.T. , Maas, H. , Voigt, J.U. , Simoons, M.L. , Van de Werf, F. & RE-ALIGN Investigators (2013) Dabigatran versus warfarin in patients with mechanical heart valves. The New England Journal of Medicine, 369, 1206–1214. Hoffman, M. & Monroe, D.M. (2009) Tissue factor in brain is not saturated with factor VIIa: implications for factor VIIa dosing in intracerebral hemorrhage. Stroke, 40, 2882–2884. van Ryn, J., Stangier, J., Haertter, S. , Liesenfeld, K.H. , Wienen, W. , Feuring, M. & Clemens, A. (2010) Dabigatran etexilate – a novel, reversible, oral direct thrombin inhibitor: interpretation of coagulation assays and reversal of anticoagulant activity. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 103, 1116–1127. Semeraro, N. & Colucci, M. (1997) Tissue factor in health and disease. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 78, 759–764. Uchino, K. & Hernandez, A.V. (2012) Dabigatran association with higher risk of acute coronary events: meta-analysis of non inferiority randomized controlled trials. Archives of Internal Medicine, 172, 397–402.
The Meaning of Destinations Competitiveness

Studies on the competitiveness of tourist destinations has been dominated by quantitative research is deemed not able to explain the phenomena behind reality. For that it is necessary to develop in- depth study through an approach that is capable of photographing the reality of truth revealed by tourists, because none of the correct measurement, all depends on the context. The aim of this study is to explore the meaning of competitiveness of tourist destinations through the perception of tourists to Pantai Tanjung KarangBeach. Subjects in this study were tourists. Metnggunakan qualitative research methods with a knife phenomenological analysis. Data collected by observation, observation, analysis and in-depth interviews description. To that end, researchers will attempt to mix and mingle with the subject of research. Findings meaning of competitiveness may provide an overview for policy makers (government) in making the regulation of tourism that benefits can be felt by all parties involved (government, private and public), the policy created is expected to create increased competitiveness among the competition of tourist destinations tight currently.
Diagnostic accuracy of the posttraumatic stress disorder checklist-civilian version in a representative military sample.

This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C; Weathers, Litz, Herman, Huska, & Keane, 1993) and to establish the most accurate cutoff for prevalence estimation of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a representative military sample compared to a clinical interview. Danish soldiers (N = 415; 94.4% male, mean age 26.6 years) were assessed with the PCL-C and the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-IV (SCID; First, Spitzer, Gibbon, & Williams, 2002) 2.5 years after their return from deployment to Afghanistan. Diagnostic accuracy of the PCL-C was assessed through receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The PCL-C displayed high overall accuracy (area under the curve = .95, confidence interval [.92, .98]) and performed well (sensitivity > .70 and specificity ≥ .90), with cutoff scores ranging from 37 to 44. When including sensitivity values a little below . 70 (.69), the PCL-C performed well for cutoff levels up to 53. Prevalence of PTSD varied considerably with the application of different cutoff values and scoring methods. Our results show that the PCL-C is a relevant and valid tool for screening for probable PTSD in active military samples. However, it is of great importance that cutoff scores be chosen based on the sample and the purpose of the particular study or screening.
Will changes in phenology track climate change? A study of growth initiation timing in coast Douglas‐fir

Under climate change, the reduction of frost risk, onset of warm temperatures and depletion of soil moisture are all likely to occur earlier in the year in many temperate regions. The resilience of tree species will depend on their ability to track these changes in climate with shifts in phenology that lead to earlier growth initiation in the spring. Exposure to warm temperatures (‘forcing’) typically triggers growth initiation, but many trees also require exposure to cool temperatures (‘chilling’) while dormant to readily initiate growth in the spring. If warming increases forcing and decreases chilling, climate change could maintain, advance or delay growth initiation phenology relative to the onset of favorable conditions. We modeled the timing of height‐ and diameter‐growth initiation in coast Douglas‐fir (an ecologically and economically vital tree in western North America) to determine whether changes in phenology are likely to track changes in climate using data from field‐based and controlled‐environment studies, which included conditions warmer than those currently experienced in the tree's range. For high latitude and elevation portions of the tree's range, our models predicted that warming will lead to earlier growth initiation and allow trees to track changes in the onset of the warm but still moist conditions that favor growth, generally without substantially greater exposure to frost. In contrast, toward lower latitude and elevation range limits, the models predicted that warming will lead to delayed growth initiation relative to changes in climate due to reduced chilling, with trees failing to capture favorable conditions in the earlier parts of the spring. This maladaptive response to climate change was more prevalent for diameter‐growth initiation than height‐growth initiation. The decoupling of growth initiation with the onset of favorable climatic conditions could reduce the resilience of coast Douglas‐fir to climate change at the warm edges of its distribution.
Integration of distributed generation in the power system - a power quality approach

This paper gives an overview of the design and operation issues in distribution and transmission systems due to the integration of distributed generation. The hosting-capacity approach has been developed to obtain a quantitative measure on the amount of generation that can be connected without impairing the performance of the system. The hosting-capacity approach requires a set of well-defined performance indices together with acceptable limits.
Depression of Late Age-Related Macular Degeneration Patients in Korea

Purpose The aim of study was to investigate the relationship between depression and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Korea treated with intravitreal ranibizumab. Methods This was a cross-sectional study. This study included 107 patients diagnosed with AMD treated with intravitreal ranibizumab. All patients answered the Korean version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-K), and the prevalence of depression was evaluated. The patients from 1 center were classified into groups with and without depression according to GDS-K. Visual acuity (VA), duration, bilaterality, history of previous treatment for AMD, and comorbidities were assessed and compared between groups. The correlations between GDS-K and other variables were investigated. Results The prevalence of depression was 26.2% with AMD treated with intravitreal ranibizumab in this study. In subanalysis, the 23 depressed patients (33.3%) were older (P = 0.022) than the nondepressed. Positive correlations were observed between GDS-K and age, VA of injected eye, VA of better eye, duration of AMD, and the number of previous treatments for AMD. Conclusions This is the first study evaluating the relationship between depression and AMD in Koreans treated with intravitreal ranibizumab. The prevalence of depression in AMD is substantial and similar to those in previous reports. Interventions to diagnose and treat depression in AMD patients are necessary.
Graphic Representation of Illness: A Novel Method of Measuring Patients’ Perceptions of the Impact of Illness

Background: Health outcome is multi-faceted, and for both research and clinical practice, greater knowledge of its facets is required. The Pictorial Representation of Illness and Self Measure (PRISM) was developed as a simple, rapid measure of the current impact of illness and symptoms on the individual. Methods: The PRISM task was completed by 26 outpatients with rheumatoid arthritis participating in a larger study of psychosocial correlates of arthritis, which included assessment of disease variables, functional impairment, pain, depression and patients’ appraisals of their illness. In the PRISM task, the patient was asked to imagine that a small board represents his/her life and a fixed disk on the board represents his/her ‘self’. The task was to place another (Illness) disk on the board to represent the current importance of illness in the patients’ life. The main outcome measure was the distance between the Self and Illness disks. Findings: Only 2 patients had difficulty understanding the task. PRISM distance did not correlate with any disease variables. It correlated inversely with pain, functional impairment and depression, and positively with coping resources. PRISM distance correlated with perceived control over illness and negatively with awareness of illness. Interpretation: PRISM is an innovative measure, simple and well accepted by patients. It appears to measure what in German is termed leidensdruck, the burden of suffering due to illness. It offers a promising measure of an intangible but important health outcome, hitherto neglected, applicable to research interventions and clinical practice.
BRAF V600E mutation analysis simplifies the testing algorithm for Lynch syndrome.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate our experience of adding reflex BRAF mutation analysis following mismatch repair (MMR) protein staining in the test algorithm for Lynch syndrome (LS), the most common inherited predisposition to colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS Since January 1, 2009, BRAF V600E mutation analysis has been performed at our institution for all newly diagnosed CRCs with absent MLH1 and PMS2 proteins. RESULTS Ninety (22%) of 412 patients with CRC had at least 1 MMR absent (65 had MLH1 and PMS2 absent and 25 had other stain(s) absent). BRAF mutation was found in 36 (55%) of 65. Fifty-four (13%) of 412 patients required follow-up after addition of BRAF analysis compared with 90 who would have required follow-up without BRAF analysis. CONCLUSIONS The addition of reflex BRAF mutation testing in CRCs with absent MLH1 and PMS2 reduced the number of patient contacts by 40% and simplified the genetic testing for LS, leading to cost and time savings.
Alcohol use and mortality from coronary heart disease: the role of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial Research Group.

OBJECTIVE To study the association between alcohol consumption and death from coronary heart disease and to determine the extent to which the association can be explained by the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level. DESIGN A cohort study involving men enrolled in the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial (MRFIT). SETTING Community-based study. PARTICIPANTS Men (n = 11,688) at high risk for developing coronary heart disease but without clinical evidence of it. More than 90% of the men were white, and the average age was 46 years. Five percent of the men abstained from alcohol during the trial, 81% consumed fewer than 21 alcoholic drinks per week, and 14% consumed more than 21 alcoholic drinks per week. MEASUREMENTS Average alcohol intake over 7 years was calculated for MRFIT participants who were alive at the end of the trial and who had at least three follow-up records of alcohol consumption. Post-trial mortality during a 3.8-year period was assessed. RESULTS The adjusted relative risk for death from coronary heart disease for each increase of 7 drinks per week was 0.89 (95% CI, 0.80 to 1.00), with an apparent dose-response relationship. The average HDL level was associated with the average alcohol intake in a least-squares regression model (beta = -0.0074; P less than 0.01). When the average HDL level was included in the proportional hazards model for mortality from coronary heart disease, the absolute value of the coefficient for average drinks per week declined 45%, yielding an adjusted relative risk for each additional 7 drinks per week of 0.94 (CI, 0.84 to 1.05). CONCLUSION In middle-aged men who are light to moderate drinkers, the inverse association between alcohol consumption and death from coronary heart disease can be explained, in large part, by the HDL cholesterol level, which increases with alcohol consumption. However, alcohol consumption cannot be recommended because of the known adverse effects of excess alcohol use.