Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maximizing Information Yield From Pheromone-Baited Monitoring Traps: Estimating Plume Reach, Trapping Radius, and Absolute Density of Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in Michigan Apple

Abstract Novel methods of data analysis were used to interpret codling moth (Cydia pomonella) catch data from central-trap, multiple-release experiments using a standard codlemone-baited monitoring trap in commercial apple orchards not under mating disruption. The main objectives were to determine consistency and reliability for measures of: 1) the trapping radius, composed of the trap's behaviorally effective plume reach and the maximum dispersive distance of a responder population; and 2) the proportion of the population present in the trapping area that is caught. Two moth release designs were used: 1) moth releases at regular intervals in the four cardinal directions, and 2) evenly distributed moth releases across entire approximately 18-ha orchard blocks using both high and low codling moth populations. For both release designs, at high populations, the mean proportion catch was 0.01, and for the even release of low populations, that value was approximately 0.02. Mean maximum dispersive distance for released codling moth males was approximately 260 m. Behaviorally effective plume reach for the standard codling moth trap was < 5 m, and total trapping area for a single trap was approximately 21 ha. These estimates were consistent across three growing seasons and are supported by extraordinarily high replication for this type of field experiment. Knowing the trapping area and mean proportion caught, catch number per single monitoring trap can be translated into absolute pest density using the equation: males per trapping area = catch per trapping area/proportion caught. Thus, catches of 1, 3, 10, and 30 codling moth males per trap translate to approximately 5, 14, 48, and 143 males/ha, respectively, and reflect equal densities of females, because the codling moth sex ratio is 1:1. Combined with life-table data on codling moth fecundity and mortality, along with data on crop yield per trapping area, this fundamental knowledge of how to interpret catch numbers will enable pest managers to make considerably more precise projections of damage and therefore more precise and reliable decisions on whether insecticide applications are justified. The principles and methods established here for estimating absolute codling moth density may be broadly applicable to pests generally and thereby could set a new standard for integrated pest management decisions based on trapping.
Using Information Trustworthiness Advice in Decision Making

In a society at the brink of information overload, using a measurement of trustworthiness to focus attention and ultimately reduce risks faced by individuals is an increasingly attractive option in supporting well-conceived decisions. As such, this paper seeks to advance discussions on trustworthiness and decision-making research by critically investigating individuals' ability to cognitively combine trustworthiness measures and the information content that they relate to, to make decisions. This is an often assumed reality but one that is lacking focused analysis in the socio-technical field. In our experiments, as we present trustworthiness information using visualisations on a computer screen, we also conduct a secondary assessment of a range of visualisation techniques to determine whether there are any better or generally preferred approaches to support decisions. Findings from both evaluations are relatively positive and insightful, and amongst other aspects, reaffirm humans as optimal assessors and identify a particularly strong dependence on trustworthiness levels in influencing to decision-making.
Do Girls Manipulate and Boys Fight? Developmental Trends in Regard to Direct and Indirect Aggression

Gender differences in regard to aggressive behaviour were investigated in a series of studies of schoolchildren of different age cohorts: 8-year-olds (N = 85), 11-year-olds (N = 167), and 15-year-olds (N = 127). Different types of aggressive behaviour were measured with peer nomination techniques, supported by self-ratings. The social structure of the peer groups were also studied. The results of the 11-year-old cohort were previously presented by Lagerspetz et al. [1988; Aggressive Behavior 14:403-4141, but they are compared here with the other age groups. The principal finding was that girls of the two older cohorts overall make greater use of indirect means of aggression, whereas boys tend to employ direct means. Previously, the main difference between the genders has been thought to be that boys use physical aggressive strategies, while girls prefer verbal ones. Our studies suggest that the differentiation between direct and indirect strategies of aggression presents a more exact picture. Indirect aggressive strategies were not yet fully developed among the 8-year-old girls, but they were already prominent among the 11-year-old girls. Aggressive behaviour was assessed overall by the children themselves to be the highest in this age group.
Microbial and Natural Metabolites That Inhibit Splicing: A Powerful Alternative for Cancer Treatment

In eukaryotes, genes are frequently interrupted with noncoding sequences named introns. Alternative splicing is a nuclear mechanism by which these introns are removed and flanking coding regions named exons are joined together to generate a message that will be translated in the cytoplasm. This mechanism is catalyzed by a complex machinery known as the spliceosome, which is conformed by more than 300 proteins and ribonucleoproteins that activate and regulate the precision of gene expression when assembled. It has been proposed that several genetic diseases are related to defects in the splicing process, including cancer. For this reason, natural products that show the ability to regulate splicing have attracted enormous attention due to its potential use for cancer treatment. Some microbial metabolites have shown the ability to inhibit gene splicing and the molecular mechanism responsible for this inhibition is being studied for future applications. Here, we summarize the main types of natural products that have been characterized as splicing inhibitors, the recent advances regarding molecular and cellular effects related to these molecules, and the applications reported so far in cancer therapeutics.
Strategies for Cultural Awareness of Teachers in Training: An Action Research Project

Using an action research model six graduate students examined their own cultural awareness during a semester-long field experience course in special education. The instructor of the course facilitated the study as lead researcher. The students were all credentialed teachers in local schools. These teacher-researchers examined and reflected on their own culture and the culture of their students. They developed and taught a five-day unit and completed a teacher work sample while studying culturally responsive teaching strategies. At the conclusion of their field experiences the teacher researchers responded to a series of questions with prompts regarding (a) their cultural awareness and demonstration of cultural competence, (b) the use of student-centered planning and instruction, and (c) the use of a variety of strategies representative of culturally responsive teaching. From themes identified in their responses a checklist of culturally responsive teaching strategies will be developed for future teacher-researchers taking the field experience course. Culturally responsive teaching is based on Vygotsky's socio cultural theory that suggests that learning is mediated through culturally meaningful activities.
Predicting Academic Achievement from Classroom Behavior

This review focuses on a set of studies in which data are presented on the classroom behavior-academic achievement relation. Three criteria were used in selecting studies for review: (a) the study employed observational measures of classroom behavior; (b) direct links were established between behavioral measures and some index of academic achievement; and (c) the pupil was employed as the unit of analysis. Following a summary of statistically significant behavior-achievement relations, an assessment of the research is presented in terms of concepts from the testing model. Thus, questions are raised regarding the reliability of the behavioral categories, their validity, and the nature of the relation that exists between behaviors and achievement. The review concludes with a summary of recommendations for future research on the issue.
ARE STREET-LEVEL BUREAUCRATS COMPELLED OR ENTICED TO COPE?

Traditional studies of street-level bureaucrats see the bureaucrat’s behaviour as a kind of self-defence – a way to minimize negative aspects of the job and thereby job frustration. I argue – and empirically show – that it is equally relevant to consider at least part of street-level bureaucrat behaviour as positively motivated – as a way of maximizing job satisfaction. Behavioural mechanisms such as coping are not just a way to avoid frustration, but also a way to gain satisfaction. This becomes clear when we attempt to explain differential treatment among regulated companies.
Effects of creatine supplementation on repetitive sprint performance and body composition in competitive swimmers.

In a double-blind and randomized manner, 18 male and female junior competitive swimmers supplemented their diets with 21 g.day-1 of creatine monohydrate (Cr) or a maltodextrin placebo (P) for 9 days during training. Prior to and following supplementation, subjects performed three 100-m freestyle sprint swims (long course) with 60 s rest/recovery between heats. In addition, subjects performed three 20-s arm ergometer maximal-effort sprint tests in the prone position with 60 s rest/recovery between sprint tests. Significant differences were observed among swim times, with Cr subjects swimming significantly faster than P subjects following supplementation in Heat 1 and significantly decreasing swim time in the second 100-m sprint. There was also some evidence that cumulative time to perform the three 100-m swims was decreased in the Cr group. Results indicate that 9 days of Cr supplementation during swim training may provide some ergogenic value to competitive junior swimmers during repetitive sprint performance.
The effect of task difficulty on preschoolers' problem-solving and emotion-regulation strategy use

Although there has been a lot of research on problem-solving and emotion-regulation independently, little work has been done on how these constructs are related. The current investigation sought to explore differences in problem-solving, emotion-regulation, emotion-dysregulation and help-seeking based on task difficulty. Preschool children between 3-5 years of age participated in six frustration-inducing problem-solving tasks, three of which were possible (but difficult) and three of which were impossible for them to solve. Problem-solving, emotion-regulation, emotion-dysregulation, and help-seeking behaviors were coded for each task. I hypothesized that childrens behavior in each of these four areas would vary according to task difficulty, as well as within each task as they struggled more. I also aimed to investigate each of the constructs to see if they are domain-specific (i.e., traits of the children) or domain-general (i.e., products of the situation). Results revealed that childrens help-seeking and emotion-dysregulation differed according to task difficulty. Problem-solving and emotion-dysregulation demonstrated some domain-specificity. Finally, younger and older preschoolers differed in their help-seeking.
Advance directives and outcomes of surrogate decision making before death.

BACKGROUND Recent discussions about health care reform have raised questions regarding the value of advance directives. METHODS We used data from survey proxies in the Health and Retirement Study involving adults 60 years of age or older who had died between 2000 and 2006 to determine the prevalence of the need for decision making and lost decision-making capacity and to test the association between preferences documented in advance directives and outcomes of surrogate decision making. RESULTS Of 3746 subjects, 42.5% required decision making, of whom 70.3% lacked decision-making capacity and 67.6% of those subjects, in turn, had advance directives. Subjects who had living wills were more likely to want limited care (92.7%) or comfort care (96.2%) than all care possible (1.9%); 83.2% of subjects who requested limited care and 97.1% of subjects who requested comfort care received care consistent with their preferences. Among the 10 subjects who requested all care possible, only 5 received it; however, subjects who requested all care possible were far more likely to receive aggressive care as compared with those who did not request it (adjusted odds ratio, 22.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.45 to 115.00). Subjects with living wills were less likely to receive all care possible (adjusted odds ratio, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.19 to 0.56) than were subjects without living wills. Subjects who had assigned a durable power of attorney for health care were less likely to die in a hospital (adjusted odds ratio, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.55 to 0.93) or receive all care possible (adjusted odds ratio, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.34 to 0.86) than were subjects who had not assigned a durable power of attorney for health care. CONCLUSIONS Between 2000 and 2006, many elderly Americans needed decision making near the end of life at a time when most lacked the capacity to make decisions. Patients who had prepared advance directives received care that was strongly associated with their preferences. These findings support the continued use of advance directives.
Culture and characterization of oral mucosal epithelial cells on human amniotic membrane for ocular surface reconstruction

Purpose To culture oral mucosal epithelial cells on deepithelialized human amniotic membrane without the use of feeder cells and to compare the characteristics of cultured oral cells with cultured limbal and conjunctival epithelial cells for use in ocular surface reconstruction. Methods Oral biopsies were obtained from healthy volunteers after informed consent and were cultured on deepithelialized amniotic membrane for three to four weeks. Confluent cultures of limbal, oral, and conjunctival cells were subjected to characterization of markers of stem cells and of epithelial differentiation by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) and by immunohistochemistry. Ultrastructural studies were also performed using electron microscopy. Results A sheet of healthy, stratified oral epithelial cells was obtained within three to four weeks of culture. Electron microscopy demonstrated that the cells formed gap junctions and desmosomes. RT–PCR analysis showed that cultured oral epithelial cells expressed markers of epithelial differentiation such as cytokeratin K3, K4, K13, K15 and connexin 43. The cells also expressed stem cell markers of epithelial cells such as ΔN isoforms of p63 as well as p75, a marker for stem cells of oral epithelium. The cells did not express cytokeratin K12 or Pax-6, an eye-specific transcription factor. Conclusions Oral epithelial cells can be cultured as explants on deepithelialized amniotic membrane without using feeder cells. Characterization showed that these cells maintain the phenotypic characteristics of oral epithelial cells and that the culture is a heterogeneous population of differentiated cells and stem cells. We find the cultured oral epithelial cells usable for ocular surface reconstruction in patients having bilateral ocular surface diseases.
Compliment Response Strategies in Mandarin Chinese: Politeness Phenomenon Revisited

This study investigated compliment response strategies used by Mandarin Chinese speakers in Taiwan in two situations, one in which the complimenter was of equal status, and the other of higher status relative to the responder. The study was carried out through the use of Discourse Completion Tests (DCT), in which 8 daily life events were described, 4 for each situation. Sixty college students were asked to provide more than one compliment response they found socially appropriate. Their responses were categorized by single super strategy following Holmes (1988), and combined super strategy, calculated for frequency occurrences, and analyzed by Chi-square tests. The results indicated that although Mandarin Chinese speakers in Taiwan tended to accept rather than reject compliments, there were, however, variations across the situations, in terms of the weight each strategy carried, the frequency occurrences of the Accepting strategy in general and the Returning strategy. The findings of the present study revealed that compliment response strategy varied as a function of social status relationships, and indirectly lent support to Wolfson's (1983) claim that compliments tended to go ”downwards. ” The paper also discusses cross-linguistic as well as intra-lingual similarities and differences between the present study and previous studies on compliment response.
The Role of Parents and Partners in the Pregnancy Behaviors of Young Latinas

Pregnancy among young Latinas demands attention. These teens have higher birthrates than other teen populations. Seven focus groups (N = 40) were conducted with Latinas to explore how relationships between young Latinas and their mothers, fathers, and male partners contribute to teen pregnancy. ATLAS/ti (a qualitative data analysis software program) was used to assist in coding and analysis of data. Salient themes were identified. Mothers rely on cultural values regarding sexuality and pregnancy outside of marriage and fear about birth control to dissuade their daughters from pregnancy. Fathers echo these traditional messages. Open communication about sexuality and contraception rarely occurs. Male partners increase pregnancy susceptibility given the difficulty with negotiating condom use. It is important that research and prevention programs recognize the social context in which pregnancy prevention and susceptibility occur.
Stochastic Process Algebras: From Individuals to Populations

In this paper we report on progress in the use of stochastic process algebras for representing systems which contain many replications of components such as clients, servers and devices. Such systems have traditionally been difficult to analyse even when using high-level models because of the need to represent the vast range of their potential behaviour. Models of concurrent systems with many components very quickly exceed the storage capacity of computing devices even when efficient data structures are used to minimize the cost of representing each state. Here, we show how population-based models that make use of a continuous approximation of the discrete behaviour can be used to efficiently analyse the temporal behaviour of very large systems via their collective dynamics. This approach enables modellers to study problems that cannot be tackled with traditional discrete-state techniques such as continuous-time Markov chains.
Apoptotic Count as a Guide for Histological Grading of Carcinoma Esophagus: A Light Microscopic Study

Background: Many studies have been done in the past on the correlation between apoptotic count and histological grading of different tumors. Aims: The study aims to find out if a correlation between apoptotic count and histological grading exists in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, and also to review the literature on such a relationship in the context of some other tumors. Settings and Design: Cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus who presented at a tertiary care center over a period of one year were reviewed. Materials and Methods: The endoscopic biopsy specimens of 56 patients of squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus were fixed in 10% buffered formalin, processed for routine paraffin sections, sections taken, stained by hematoxylin and eosin and examined under light microscope, using 40× objective and 10× eyepiece. Apoptotic bodies were counted in each high-power field (HPF). Statistical Analysis Used: Standard error of difference in apoptotic count in different tumor groups found and P value calculated, using Student's t test. Results: An inverse correlation of the apoptotic count per HPF with the histological grade of the tumor was found. Conclusions: Grading of squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus, solely on the basis of apoptotic count can be used in the first place or to corroborate conventional histological grading done on the basis of morphology.
A COMMUNITY-BASED PREVALENCE OF PRESBYOPIA AND SPECTACLE COVERAGE IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA.

Background The use of population-based method to assess the prevalence of presbyopia and spectacle use is few even though it is more reliable compared to the commoner hospital based studies. This study was carried out to determine the need for spectacle services in our coverage area. Aim To determine the prevalence of presbyopia among adults of 30 years old and above in Sagamu local government area of Ogun state, South-West, Nigeria. Design The study was a population based descriptive and cross-sectional design. Setting The study was carried out using a multistage cluster random sampling with probability proportional to size of regular adult residents of Sagamu Local Government area, Sagamu, Ogun state, Nigeria. Materials and Methods Examination of respondents included administration of semi-structured interviewer assisted questionnaire and distance visual acuity measurement with or without pinhole at 6 meters using the Snellen's charts. Automated refraction with subjective refraction was carried out in all participants with presenting visual acuity (PVA) worse than 6/9 but with an improvement with pinhole. Near assessment was done at 40cm with the distance correction in place if required. Ocular examination was also carried out in all participants that had refraction including pupillary dilatation when indicated. Results The prevalence of presbyopia was 80.9%. There was an increasing prevalence with age (p<0.001) with a 100% prevalence in the ≥80 years age group. The mean add requirement was +2.24DS. The met presbyopic need was 22.9% and the unmet need 58%. The presbyopic spectacle coverage was 28.4% which was positively associated with younger age (p=0.034), attaining at least secondary school education (p<0.001), and living in an urban area (p<0.001). Conclusion The prevalence of presbyopia is high in this community and found in persons younger than 40 years and the spectacle coverage for the population is low with a high unmet spectacle need. There is a need to provide near vision spectacles to a large proportion of residents in the community.
A Note on Psychological Distance and Export Market Selection

The concept of psychological distance, or psychic distance, was first proposed by Beckerman (1956) and later popularized by Johanson and Vahlne (1977). However, efforts to test the impact of psychological distance on export market selection have been sporadic and flawed. The author calibrates a single-item indicator of psychological distance using an independent panel of experts. The predictive ability of the resulting instrument is then tested on the order in which Australian exporters select their first five foreign markets. The author then compares this instrument with three other scales that are commonly employed as indicators of psychological distance. Scales based on Sethi's (1971) and Hofstede's (1980) work prove to be inferior predictors of early market selection. Geographic distance is found to be a significant predictor, but its effect is largely independent of psychological distance. The author also explores the dynamic nature of psychological distance. The impact of psychological distance on market selection appears to decrease substantially after the first market entry decision but remains a significant predictor.