Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morphological Characteristics of Maize Canopy Development as Affected by Increased Plant Density

Improving crop productivity through higher plant density requires a detailed understanding of organ development in response to increased interplant competition. The objective of this paper is thus to investigate the characteristics of organ development under increased interplant competition. A field experiment was conducted to investigate organ development across 4 maize plant densities i.e. 2, 6, 12 and 20 plants m–2 (referred to PD2, PD6, PD12 and PD20 respectively). In response to increased interplant competition, lengths of both laminae and sheaths increased in lower phytomers, but decreased in upper phytomers. Sheath extension appeared to be less sensitive to increased interplant competition than lamina extension. Extension of laminae and internodes responded to increased plant density as soon as onset of mild interplant competition, but did not respond any further to severe competition. Both lamina width and internode diameter were reduced due to a smaller growth rate in response to increased plant density. Overall, this study identified that organ expansion rate can be taken as the key morphological factor to determine the degree of interplant competition.
When the Antidote is the Poison: Ironic Mental Control Processes

The theory of ironic processes of mental control holds that both the most and the least desired effects of attempts to control one's own mental states accrue from two processes an intentional operating process (a conscious, effortful search for mental contents that will produce a desired state of mind) and an ironic monitoring process (an unconscious, automatic search for mental contents that signal a failure to produce the desired state of mind) Although the monitoring process usually functions just to activate the operating process, during stress, distraction, time urgency, or other mental load, the monitor's effects on mind can supersede those of the operator, producing the very state of mind that is least desired An individual's attempts to gain mental control may thus precipitate the unwanted mental states they were intended to remedy
Exploring Relationships of Trust in ‘Adventure’ Recreation

Abstract A central concept in the notion of leisure, and therefore also of recreation, is freedom. In this article we argue that freedom in organised recreation, especially in activities involving some degree of deliberate risk‐taking (i.e. in adventure recreation), is preserved through relationships of trust between recreation organisers and participants. This article seeks to outline the theoretical field of trust and to begin to explore the concept of trust in the context of adventure recreation. A recent criminal conviction in New Zealand has highlighted the issue of trust in recreation and serves as a point of departure for the purposes of exploring conceptualisations of trust and their application to the adventure recreational context. Trust does not appear to have attracted attention in the recreation literature to date, yet it may provide a useful means of negotiating the contested terrain created at the nexus of recreation culture (in particular adventure recreation), recreation management and application of the law.
Alcohol-associated admissions to an adult intensive care unit: an audit.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Excessive alcohol consumption is a major cause for premature death and preventable ill health in the whole population. We set out to audit admissions to the intensive care unit (ICU) of our large teaching hospital with respect to alcohol-related admissions. METHODS A prospective audit was conducted into alcohol-associated admissions to our university hospital adult ICU over 12 months. The following data were collected for each patient admitted: age, gender, diagnosis and amount of alcohol consumption, APACHE II score, and the probability of death. RESULTS Patients with definite alcohol consumption constituted 39.1% (124 patients) of all admissions (317 patients) to the ICU. In Group 1 (89 patients), the admission was directly associated with alcohol consumption, which included heavy alcohol consumption. Group 2 (35 patients) consisted of 'social drinkers'; and Group 3 was composed of patients who denied any alcohol intake. Group 1 had a high median APACHE II score of 19 (range 4-35) and a significantly higher mortality rate (41.6%) than Group 3 (18.4%, P < 0.001) or the entire sample studied (23.7%, P < 0.001). The results also demonstrated an incidence of pneumonia of 29.2% (26 patients) in alcohol-associated admissions compared with 22.8% (eight patients) in Group 2 and 21.8% (19 patients) in Group 3. Trauma admissions amounted to 11.4% of the patients studied (24/211 patients), 17 (70.8%) of whom were directly associated with alcohol and it included 11 pedestrians. CONCLUSIONS Alcohol may play a major role in the admission and mortality of ICU patients. Further investigations are warranted because our sample size is so small.
Effects of focal injection of kainic acid into the mouse hippocampus in vitro and ex vivo

Intra‐hippocampal kainate injection induces an epileptiform activity termed status epilepticus. We examined the emergence of this activity with extracellular and intracellular records of responses (1) to focal kainate (KA) application in slices of mouse hippocampus and (2) of slices from mice injected with KA. The effects varied with distance from the injection site of KA. At distances less than ∼800 μm, KA injection induced a strong increase in extracellular firing which ceased after 2–4 min. Pyramidal cells in this zone fired and depolarized to a potential at which action potentials were no longer evoked. No further activity was detected near the injection site for 3–5 h. In longitudinal slices of the CA3 region, firing induced by KA injection spread at a velocity close to 1 × 10−4 mm ms−1. The velocity increased to ∼1 × 10−1 mm ms−1 when synaptic inhibition was blocked, suggesting that inhibitory processes normally restrict the spread of firing. At distances of 1.5–2.5 mm, KA injection induced a short‐term increase in firing which was maintained, and often increased and rhythmic at gamma frequencies at 2–5 h after injection. We also examined slices prepared from animals injected with KA, at a delay of 2–5 h corresponding to the expression of status epilepticus. Near the injection site, Gallyas silver staining revealed cellular degeneration, and no activity was recorded. Interictal‐like activity was generated by ipsilateral slices distant from KA injection. Contralateral slices also generated an interictal‐like activity, but no cell death was detected. Hippocampal oscillations generated at distant sites may be associated with status epilepticus.
CT for all or selective approach? Who really needs a cervical spine CT after blunt trauma

BACKGROUND Computed tomography (CT) is the standard to screen blunt trauma patients for cervical spine (c-spine) fractures, yet there remains a reluctance to scan all trauma team activations because of radiation exposure and cost. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of positive CT in an effort to decrease future CT use without compromising patient care. METHODS We performed a prospective study in which we documented 18 combined NEXUS and Canadian c-spine criteria on 5,182 patients before CT comparing those with and without fractures to identify predictors of injury. Clinical examination was considered positive if any of the 18 criteria were positive. RESULTS There were 324 patients with a fracture, for an incidence rate of 6.25%. Fracture patients were older (43.89 ± 18.83 years vs. 38.42 ± 17.45 years, p <; 0.0001), with a lower GCS (Glasgow Coma Scale) score (13.49 ± 3.49 vs. 14.32 ± 2.34, p < 0.0001), than nonfracture patients. Clinical examination had a 100% (324 of 324) sensitivity, 0.62% (30 of 4,858) specificity, 6.29% (324 of 5,152) positive predictive value, and 100% (30 of 30) negative predictive value. A total of 77.8% (14 of 18) criteria were significantly associated with fracture by univariate analysis, seven of which were independent predictors of fracture by logistic regression (midline tenderness, GCS score < 15, age ≥65 years, paresthesias, rollover motor vehicle collision, ejected, never in sitting position in emergency department). Evaluation of these seven factors demonstrated a sensitivity of 99.07% (321 of 324), positive predictive value of 6.95% (321 of 4,617), specificity of 11.57% (562 of 4,858), and negative predictive value of 99.47% (562 of 565). CONCLUSION Although sensitive, the standard clinical criteria used to determine patients who need radiographs lack specificity. Based on these results, more narrow criteria should be validated in an effort to limit the number of c-spine CTs while not compromising patient care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic study, level II; diagnostic study, level II.
Pets' Impact on Your Patients' Health: Leveraging Benefits and Mitigating Risk

Over two thirds of Americans live with pets and consider them important members of the family. Pets benefit human health (zooeyia) in 4 ways: as builders of social capital, as agents of harm reduction, as motivators for healthy behavior change, and as potential participants in treatment plans. Conversely, pets can present risks to their owners. They are potential sources of zoonotic disease and injury. Pets can also challenge a family's prioritization of financial and social resources. To activate the benefits of zooeyia and appropriately calibrate and mitigate zoonotic risk, physicians first need to know about the pets in their patients' families. Asking about pets is a simple and feasible approach to assess patients' environmental history and social capital. Asking about pets is a nonthreatening way to build rapport and demonstrates an interest in the whole family, which can improve the physician–patient therapeutic alliance. Physicians can use an interprofessional, collaborative approach with veterinarians to address zoonotic health risks and leverage zooeyia.
Exploring Native Speaker Teachers' Beliefs about Learning and Teaching English

The present study investigated native speaker teachers’ beliefs about learning and teaching English in the Korean university setting. Despite the great influx of native speaker teachers into the Korean English education system, relatively little research has been carried out on teachers’ perspectives on learning and teaching. Considering the significant impact of teachers’ beliefs in the classroom, this study investigated the sources of teachers’ beliefs, their beliefs about learning and teaching, and their beliefs about teacher roles in the second language classroom. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with eight native English speakers who were teaching at the same university. The findings showed that the teachers believed students’ active participation was the key to successful second language learning. It was shown that the teachers’ beliefs were closely associated with their prior learning experiences and that differences in the learning experiences between the teacher and students may cause difficulty in the second language classroom. These findings suggest the importance of teachers’ awareness of students’ learning experiences and the need to negotiate within the given teaching context without completely giving up teachers’ own beliefs about learning and teaching a second language.
New Range of Vectors with a Stringent 5-Fluoroorotic Acid-Based Counterselection System for Generating Mutants by Allelic Replacement in Staphylococcus aureus

ABSTRACT We have developed a range of vectors for allelic replacements in Staphylococcus aureus to facilitate genetic work in this opportunistic pathogen. The central feature of the vector range is a selection/counterselection system that takes advantage of the 5-fluoroorotic acid (FOA) resistance and pyrimidine prototrophy caused by the loss and gain, respectively, of the pyrF and pyrE genes. This system allows for stringent counterselection of the vectors during the second homologous recombination of a classic allelic replacement. The basic vector pRLY2, which contains the pyrFE genes from Bacillus subtilis, was combined with chloramphenicol, erythromycin, and tetracycline resistance genes and four different versions of nonreplicative or conditionally replicative origins of replication. The choice between these 12 different pRLY vectors allows for high versatility and ensures that the vectors can be used in virtually any genetic background. Finally, as proof of concept, we present six deletions or modifications of components in the S. aureus degradosome as well as the operon containing the cshB DEAD box helicase.
Examining mediating role of attitudinal loyalty and nonlinear effects in satisfaction‐behavioral intentions relationship

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the mediating role of attitudinal loyalty in the relationship between satisfaction and customer behavioral intentions such as willingness to pay more and internal and external complaining responses. It also seeks to examine the nonlinear effects in the relationship between satisfaction, attitudinal loyalty and behavioral intentions.Design/methodology/approach – The paper adopted the structural equation modeling approach to test the hypotheses (sample size 202). It used Marsh et al.'s unconstrained method to test latent quadratic effects in the conceptualized relationships.Findings – The results support the fully mediating role of attitudinal loyalty in the relationship between satisfaction and behavioral intentions. The paper also finds partial support for nonlinear effects in the relationship. Results support nonlinearity, and in particular diminishing sensitivity, in the link from attitudinal loyalty to willingness to pay more.Originality/value – The paper adds to th.
Facebook Use and Political Participation

Some recent studies have illustrated a positive relationship between social media use and political participation among young people. Researchers, however, have operationalized social media usage differently. This article adopts a multidimensional approach to the study of the impact of social media. Focusing on Facebook (FB), the most widely utilized social networking site in Hong Kong, this study examines how time spent on FB, exposure to shared political information, network size, network structural heterogeneity, and direct connection with public political actors relate to young people’s online and offline political participation. Analysis of a survey of university students (N = 774) shows that participation is explained most prominently by direct connection with public political actors, followed by exposure to shared political information. These two variables also mediate the impact of other dimensions of FB use on political participation.
Improved Metabolic Control and Quality of Life in Seven Patients With Type 1 Diabetes Following Islet After Kidney Transplantation

Background. The beneficial effects of glycemic control on both survival and function of transplanted kidneys in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have been recognized. Methods. Herein, we present the clinical outcome of a single-center pilot trial of islet after kidney (IAK) transplantation in seven patients with T1DM. The immunosuppression protocol for the kidney graft was converted to sirolimus+tacrolimus regimen 6 months before islet transplantation to exclude negative effects on kidney graft function. Primary endpoint was achievement of insulin independence after transplantation. Clinical outcome, metabolic control, severe hypoglycemia, kidney function, Quality of Life (QOL) psychometric measures, and adverse events were monitored. Results. Seven patients showed graft function with improved metabolic control (A1c, fasting glycemia, and metabolic tests) after IAK (14,779±3,800 IEQ/kg). One-year insulin independence was 30% with persistent graft function in 86% (C-peptide-positive). A1c reduction was 1.95±0.31% from baseline (P<0.0001). No episodes of severe hypoglycemia were observed, even after resuming insulin. The direct consequence of these benefits was a significant improvement in diabetes QOL. Adverse events included procedure-related pleural effusion (n=2), cholecystitis (n=1), and additional immunosuppression-related, all resolved without sequelae. Kidney function (by estimated glomerular filtration rate) remained stable during follow-up in six of seven patients. Conclusions. Islet transplantation represents a feasible therapeutic option for patients with T1DM bearing a stable kidney allograft. Insulin independence at 1 year is lower than what reported in islet transplant alone. Nevertheless, clear benefits in terms of optimal metabolic control and absence of severe hypoglycemia are invariably present.
Effects of desmopressin on circulating P‐selectin

Von Willebrand factor (VWF) and P‐selectin share an identical intracellular storage compartment and transport to the cell surface. We induced degranulation of the Weibel‐Palade bodies and measured circulating (c)P‐selectin in plasma to test whether soluble P‐selectin is present in the Weibel‐Palade bodies, or if P‐selectin bound to the cell membrane of endothelial cells (EC) is rapidly proteolytically cleaved in vivo. A dose of 0.3 μg/kg of desmopressin (DDAVP) or placebo was infused over 30 min to eight healthy men in a double‐blind cross‐over study. Plasma levels of cP‐selectin and VWF‐Ag were followed for 24 h. Despite a twofold increase in VWF‐Ag levels immediately after and 2 h after infusion of DDAVP, no significant change in plasma concentrations of cP‐selectin were observed. In summary, degranulation of the Weibel‐Palade bodies is an unlikely source of cP‐selectin. Thus cP‐selectin in healthy subjects is conceivably attributable to other mechanisms, such as minor degrees of platelet activation or transcription induction of an alternatively spliced P‐selectin.
Primary school pupils’ attitudes to science: the years of formation

Summaries English The article reports on an investigation, carried out as part of a wider‐ranging study, into the attitudes to science displayed by primary school pupils, prior to their transfer to secondary education. The results, reached by means of semi‐structured interviews and attitude rating questionnaires, clearly indicate that at the time of their transfer to secondary schools, pupils have developed a high degree of interest in and enthusiasm for science. This is strongly expressed in their expectation of science courses at the secondary level. However, even at this early stage, girls’ concepts of the world of science beyond that of school appear different from those of boys. Awareness by teachers of these expectations should help to remove or reduce transitional difficulties which primary school pupils are known to experience on joining secondary schools.
Imaging and analyzing in response to new product advertising

Abstract This study focuses on two complementary modes of elaborative processing in response to advertising: imagery and analysis. Imagery is characterized by nonverbal product-related thoughts, whereas analysis is more semantic and verbal in nature. Two stimulus determinants of ad-induced imaging and analyzing are investigated and related to the purchase consideration of an innovative product. Results show that the consumer's use of imagery is related to the perceived novelty of the advertising stimulus, whereas analyzing is related to less favorable of advertising content. Product-related affect and intention to buy, in turn, are related positively to imaging and negatively to analyzing. Implications for advertising management and research are discussed.
The Mediterranean as a Category of Regional Comparison: A Critical View

KENNEDY, K. A. R. , T. DISOTELL, W. J. ROERTGEN, J. CHIMENT, AND J. SH ERRY. I986. Biological anthropology of Upper Pleistocene hominids from Sri Lanka: Batadomba lena and Beli lena Caves. Ancient Ceylon 6: I 65 -265. KENNEDY, K. A. R. , S. U. DERANIYAGALA, W. J. ROERTGEN, J. CHIMENT, AND T. DISOTELL. I987. Upper Pleistocene fossil hominids from Sri Lanka. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 72:44I-6 I. KLEIN, R. G. I974. Environment and subsistence of prehistoric man in the southern Cape Province, South Africa. World Archaeology 5:249-84. LUKACS, J. R. 1976. "Dental anthropology and the biological affinities of an Iron Age population from Pomparippu, Sri Lanka," in Ecological backgrounds of South Asian prehistory. Edited by K. A. R. Kennedy and G. L. Possehl, pp. 197-215. Occasional Papers and Theses of the South Asia Program, Cornell University, 4. MILLER, S. F. I972. The Imbangala nd the chronology of early central African history. Journal of African History 13:549-74. MUELLER-DOMBOIS, D. I968. Ecogeographic analysis of a climate map of Ceylon with particular eference to the vegetation. The Ceylon Forester 8 (3-4):39-58. POSSEHL, G. L. AND P. C. RISSMAN. I985. The chronology of prehistoric India from earliest times to the Iron Age. MS. SENEVIRATNE, S. I984. The archaeology of the Megalithic Black and Red Ware complex of Sri Lanka. Ancient Ceylon 5:237-
Serum levels of trace elements in patients with prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND Trace elements are major components of biological structures; however, excessive levels of these elements can be toxic. MATERIALS AND METHODS In the present study, serum levels of trace elements were measured in 30 patients with newly diagnosed as prostate cancer and 32 healthy volunteer by using furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. RESULTS It was found that there was an increase in serum levels of Co, Cu, Mg and Pb (p<0.05), whereas a decrease in serum levels of Fe, Mn, and Zn levels in patients with prostate cancer (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS These changes may be important in the pathogenesis of prostate cancers; however, further prospective studies are needed to identify relationships between prostate cancer and trace elements.
Epigenotyping in Peripheral Blood Cell DNA and Breast Cancer Risk: A Proof of Principle Study

Background Epigenetic changes are emerging as one of the most important events in carcinogenesis. Two alterations in the pattern of DNA methylation in breast cancer (BC) have been previously reported; active estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) is associated with decreased methylation of ER-α target (ERT) genes, and polycomb group target (PCGT) genes are more likely than other genes to have promoter DNA hypermethylation in cancer. However, whether DNA methylation in normal unrelated cells is associated with BC risk and whether these imprints can be related to factors which can be modified by the environment, is unclear. Methodology/Principal Findings Using quantitative methylation analysis in a case-control study (n = 1,083) we found that DNA methylation of peripheral blood cell DNA provides good prediction of BC risk. We also report that invasive ductal and invasive lobular BC is characterized by two different sets of genes, the latter particular by genes involved in the differentiation of the mesenchyme (PITX2, TITF1, GDNF and MYOD1). Finally we demonstrate that only ERT genes predict ER positive BC; lack of peripheral blood cell DNA methylation of ZNF217 predicted BC independent of age and family history (odds ratio 1.49; 95% confidence interval 1.12–1.97; P = 0.006) and was associated with ER-α bioactivity in the corresponding serum. Conclusion/Significance This first large-scale epigenotyping study demonstrates that DNA methylation may serve as a link between the environment and the genome. Factors that can be modulated by the environment (like estrogens) leave an imprint in the DNA of cells that are unrelated to the target organ and indicate the predisposition to develop a cancer. Further research will need to demonstrate whether DNA methylation profiles will be able to serve as a new tool to predict the risk of developing chronic diseases with sufficient accuracy to guide preventive measures.