Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of various exogenous and endogenous factors on microspore embryogenesis in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and Coss)

SummaryThe influence of donor plant growth environment, microspore development stage, culture media and incubation conditions on microspore embryogenesis was studied in three Indian B. juncea varieties. The donor plants were grown under varying environments: field conditions, controlled conditions, or a combination of the two. The correlation analysis between the bud size and microspore development stage revealed that the bud size is an accurate marker for donor plants grown under controlled conditions, however, the same does not hold true for the field-grown plants. The buds containing late uninucleate microspores collected from plants grown under normal field conditions up to bolting stage and then transferred to controlled environment were observed to be most responsive with genotypic variability ranging from 10 to 35 embryos per Petri dish, irrespective of the other factors. NLN medium containing 13% sucrose was found to be most suitable for induction of embryogenesis The fortification of this medium with activated charcoal, polyvinylpyrrolidone, colchicine, or growth regulators (6-benzylaminopurine and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid) was observed to be antagonistic for microspore embryogenesis, while silver nitrate (10 μM) had a significant synergistic effect. A post-culture high-temperature incubation of microspores at 32.5±1°C for 10–15 d was found most suitable for high-frequency production of microspore embryos. The highest frequency of microspore embryogenesis (78 embryos per Petri dish) was observed from the late uninucleate microspores (contained in bud sizes 3.1–3.5 nm irrespective of genotype) cultured on NLN medium containing 13% sucrose and silver nitrate (10 μM), and incubated at 32.5°C for 10–15 d.
Ozonation of o‐Cresol in Aqueous Solutions Using a Rotating Packed‐Bed Reactor

Experimental results indicated that ozone transfer in the rotating packed contactor was noticeably greater than in a traditional packed‐bed contactor under similar operational conditions. Ozonation in the rotating packed contactor has been shown to be feasible for achieving nearly complete decomposition of o‐cresol within 1 hour. The decomposition of o‐cresol by ozonation in the rotating packed contactor increased with increasing rotor speed and decreasing the gas–liquid flowrate ratio. However, the reduction of total organic carbon during the ozonation of o‐cresol was not influenced by variation of rotor speed and gas–liquid flowrate ratio. The species distribution of o‐cresol under various solution conditions plays a significant role in determining the decomposition behavior. In most experiments conducted in this study, the decomposition of o‐cresol by ozonation was more favorable under alkaline conditions.
Contributions of the mesial frontal cortex to the premovement potentials associated with intermittent hand movements in humans

Two premovement potentials, the bereitschaftspotential (BP) and negative slope (NS'), can be recorded prior to the execution of self‐paced hand movements using back‐averaging of scalp electrical recordings. The contributions of the contralateral and ipsilateral primary motor cortex (M1) and the mesial dorsal frontal cortex (MFC) to the generation of the potentials were examined by simultaneously collecting positron emission tomography (PET) scans and scalp recorded electrical activity for dipole source analysis in eight right‐handed normal subjects. Subjects performed simple unilateral thumb‐finger opposition movements intermittently with an average inter‐movement interval of 7.4 s. PET was also collected for the same movement performed repetitively with inter‐movement intervals of 0.5 s such that finger movements were nearly continuous. PET studies of the intermittent movement revealed marked activation of the MFC in the region of the rostral supplementary motor area (SMA) and cingulate motor area, contralateral sensorimotor cortex and no activation of the ipsilateral sensorimotor cortex. When the same movements were performed in a continuous repetitive manner, PET revealed strong contralateral sensorimotor and caudal MFC activation, and no ipsilateral sensorimotor or rostral MFC activation. Dipole source solutions of the back‐averaged potentials for the intermittent movements were analyzed by testing dipole vectors placed into the regions of PET activation. The premovement potentials were dominated by dipoles in the region of the MFC, with minimal contribution from either the contralateral or ipsilateral M1. Activation in the region of the contralateral M1 began near the onset of muscle activity. The orientation and timing of the MFC dipoles were consistent with both the BP and NS' potentials originating from neurons in the rostral SMA and dorsal tier of the cingulate sulcus and were appropriate for MFC activity to contribute to both the preparation for movement and the descending activation of spinal motor networks. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Facultative habitat selection in Pacific tarpon Megalops cyprinoides as revealed by otolith Sr:Ca ratios

The Pacific tarpon Megalops cyprinoides is a euryhaline fish that is widely distributed in offshore waters of the tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific Ocean. It spawns in offshore waters and the larvae drift with tidal currents before recruiting to estuarine nursery areas at ~25 to 30 d post- hatching. Young Pacific tarpon are found in coastal waters, rivers, estuaries, inner bays, and man- grove areas. However, their age-specific migratory behavior and habitat selection are still unclear. The strontium (Sr) concentration in seawater is ~100× higher than in fresh water, and the Sr:Ca ratios in fish otoliths are positively correlated with ambient salinity and are thus widely used in studying fish migration between seawater and freshwater environments. To understand the migratory envi- ronmental history of the Pacific tarpon, otolith Sr:Ca ratios of leptocephali collected from the estuary and sub-adults collected from both Tadu Creek and offshore waters on the west coast of Taiwan were examined using an electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA). Fish were aged by counting otolith annuli. The Sr:Ca ratios in leptocephalus otoliths were high (7.4 ± 0.03 × 10 -3 ). However, the patterns of oto- lith Sr:Ca ratios in 1 to 3 yr old sub-adults were diverse and can be divided into 3 types: largely brack- ishwater residents, largely freshwater residents, and vagrants between brackish and fresh waters. Fish older than 4 to 5 yr all return to the marine environment. This study demonstrates that habitat selection in the Pacific tarpon after the leptocephalus stage is facultative and that their migratory environmental history can be reconstructed from otolith Sr:Ca ratios.
I Am Quite Mellow But I Wouldn't Say Everyone Else Is”: How UK Students Compare Their Drinking Behavior to Their Peers'

ABSTRACT Background: Excessive drinking is commonplace at UK Universities. Individuals may misperceive how much they drink compared to others and are less likely to think that they will suffer adverse consequences. Young people often distance themselves and their friends from ‘problem drinkers’. Objectives: The aim of the study was to explore how student drinkers compared their own drinking behaviors to the drinking behaviors of others. Methods: An online survey was completed by 416 students aged 18–30 (68.5% female). They were asked ‘how do you think your drinking compares with other people like you? ' and ‘how do you think your behavior when you drink compares with other people like you? ’ Answers were subjected to thematic analysis. Results: The first main theme was about ‘identification as a ‘good’ drinker’. Participants suggested their own behavior when drinking was similar to their sober behavior. Further, they viewed themselves as more able to maintain a balance between staying in control and having fun while drinking. The second main theme was about ‘distancing from being a ‘bad’ drinker. Participants distanced themselves from negative prototypical drinkers, such compulsive or anti-social drinkers. They also attributed their own drinking behaviors to situational factors, but described other people as intentionally violent or aggressive. Conclusions/Importance: These findings may explain the failure of some health messages to change drinking behaviors. If drinkers perceive that their behavior when they drink is better than other people's then they may discount intervention messages. Targeting these biases could be incorporated into future interventions.
Delay time compensation based on coefficient of restitution for collision hybrid motion simulator

A hybrid motion simulator embeds a hardware experiment in a numerical simulation loop. However, it is often subjected to the inherent problem of an energy increase in the collision of two pieces of hardware in a loop because of the delay time. This paper proposes a delay time compensation method based on contact dynamics model for a collision hybrid motion simulator under delay time and establishes a compensation method for coupled translational and rotational motion. The model developed in this paper describes linear uniform motion of a floating object during the period of the delay time until the force and torque are observed and non-linear motion according to environmental stiffness after the initial delay time period in contact. By using the above model, compensation parameters are designed based on desired coefficient of restitution with iterative calculation. The proposed method achieves accurate delay time compensation and simultaneously realizes a variable desired coefficient of restitution over a wide range of frequencies. Furthermore, the compensation method for multi-dimensional motion is established under the assumption that the friction effect is very small. The efficiency of the proposed method is verified through collision experiments for the coupled motion in two dimensions. Graphical Abstract
Identification of a Novel Neuropathogenic Theiler's Murine Encephalomyelitis Virus

ABSTRACT Theiler's murine encephalitis viruses (TMEV) are divided into two subgroups based on their neurovirulence. Persistent strains resemble Theiler's original viruses (referred to as the TO subgroup), which largely induce a subclinical polioencephalomyelitis during the acute phase of the disease and can persist in the spinal cord of susceptible animals, inducing a chronic demyelinating disease. In contrast, members of the neurovirulent subgroup cause an acute encephalitis characterized by the rapid onset of paralysis and death within days following intracranial inoculation. We report herein the characterization of a novel neurovirulent strain of TMEV, identified using pyrosequencing technology and referred to as NIHE. Complete coverage of the NIHE viral genome was obtained, and it shares <90% nucleotide sequence identity to known TMEV strains irrespective of subgroup, with the greatest sequence variability being observed in genes encoding the leader and capsid proteins. The histopathological analysis of infected brain and spinal cord demonstrate inflammatory lesions and neuronal necrosis during acute infection with no evidence of viral persistence or chronic disease. Intriguingly, genetic analysis indicates the putative expression of the L* protein, considered a hallmark of strains within the persistent subgroup. Thus, the identification and characterization of a novel neurovirulent TMEV strain sharing features previously associated with both subgroups will lead to a deeper understanding of the evolution of TMEV strains and new insights into the determinants of neurovirulence.
Help-seeking intentions for breast-cancer symptoms: a comparison of the self-regulation model and the theory of planned behaviour.

PURPOSE Delays in seeking help for symptoms have been found to be associated with poorer outcome in breast-cancer patients. This study explores symptom perceptions and health beliefs as predictors of intentions to seek medical help in a general female population. The utility of the self-regulation model of illness cognition and the theory of planned behaviour were examined in predicting help-seeking intentions for potential symptoms of breast cancer in a general population sample. METHODS A general population sample of 546 women completed a postal questionnaire comprising items examining components of the self-regulation model and the theory of planned behaviour. Help-seeking intention was determined by asking participants to rate the likelihood of visiting their GP for a range of breast symptoms. RESULTS Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that the cognitive component of the self-regulation model accounted for approximately 22% of the variance in help-seeking intention. Identity (beta = 0.45, p <.001) emerged as a significant predictor of intention to seek help. Inclusion of the components of the theory of planned behaviour accounted for an additional 7% of the variance; the significant predictors were attitude to help-seeking (beta = 0.19, p <.001) and perceived behavioural control (beta = 0.12, p <.01). CONCLUSIONS Intention to seek medical help for a potential breast-cancer symptom may be mediated, partly, by cognitive representations of the identity and consequences of breast cancer and by attitudes towards help-seeking and perceived behavioural control. Although less than one-third of the variance was accounted for, these results have important implications for future research (in terms of identifying which variables should be examined) and for the development of a model of help-seeking behaviour in women with breast-cancer symptoms.
Thrombolytic Therapy in Acute Ischemic Stroke in Patients Not Fulfilling Conventional Criteria

Introduction: There are many exclusion criteria in early randomized control trials for intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator use in acute ischemic stroke, thus, many patients were not eligible for the treatment. Objective: This study aimed to compare the safety and short-term treatment outcome between those who fulfilled the criteria and those who did not. Methods: All acute ischemic stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis from 2004 to 2015 in Tuen Mun hospital were recruited. They were divided into an on-label group if they did not have any of the contraindications and an off-label group if contraindication existed. Primary outcome of symptomatic hemorrhage, and secondary outcome of early neurological change, 3-month mortality and functional outcome were measured. Multivariate analysis with logistic regression with adjustment of baseline characteristics was done. Results: Totally, 323 patients received intravenous thrombolysis and 162 (50.2%) had at least one contraindication. None of the contraindications were associated with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Patients with previous stroke and diabetes mellitus performed similarly in all outcome measures. Patients with minor stroke had less early neurological deterioration and better functional outcome. Old age and high blood pressure were shown to have less early neurological improvement and less good functional outcome. Severe stroke was related to increased mortality and none had a good functional outcome. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the off-label group had comparable symptomatic intracranial hemorrhagic risk which gave ground for further study into its safety. However, some subgroups had less favorable outcome, including high blood pressure, severe stroke, and old age. This may be due to underlying comorbidities and limited rehabilitation potential rather than thrombolysis per se.
Salivary gland expression of transforming growth factor β isoforms in Sjogren’s syndrome and benign lymphoepithelial lesions

Aim: Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is involved in the control of autoimmune reactions, cell proliferation, and the accumulation of lymphocytes within organs. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of TGF-β in salivary glands from patients with primary Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) and benign lymphoepithelial lesions (BLEL) with emphasis on ductal epithelium. Methods: Immunoperoxidase staining for TGF-β isoforms and Ki67 antigen was performed on formalin fixed sections of labial glands from patients with primary SS (n = 15) and controls (n = 5) and parotid glands reported as BLEL (n = 5) or normal (n = 5). Ductal expression of TGF-β was quantified by absorbance measurements using image analysis. The specificity of staining was confirmed by peptide blocking studies. Results: All TGF-β isoforms were detected within the cytoplasm of most lymphocytes, endothelial cells, and ducts in all specimens. Acinar expression was variable and weaker than that seen in ducts. Absorbance measurements revealed that the expression of all isoforms was greater in ducts within primary SS glands than in control glands. Ductal expression in control parotid glands was greater than that seen in BLEL glands, irrespective of the presence of adjacent lymphoid infiltrates. Comparisons between control specimens showed that ductal expression of all isoforms was highest in parotid glands, whereas no differences were detected between primary SS and BLEL glands. Ki67 positive lymphocytes and duct cells were mainly restricted to pathological specimens, with BLEL glands containing larger populations of positive cells than primary SS glands. Conclusion: These results demonstrate complex and variable changes in ductal expression of TGF-β in primary SS and BLEL, which may be important in the control of lymphoid infiltration and the proliferation of lymphocytes and ductal epithelium.
Predictive Factors for More Than 3 Years’ Duration of Central Stimulant Treatment in Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Retrospective, Naturalistic Study

Abstract There is effective short-term central stimulant (CS) treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in adult ADHD, and despite this, many patients discontinue the treatment too early. The present study examines the duration of CS treatment in a Norwegian cohort of adult ADHD to identify predictors for long treatment duration (≥3 years). The data were based on the medical records of a sample of 117 of all 119 adult ADHD patients diagnosed over a period of 8 years in a specific catchment area and treated with CS. A logistic regression model was applied to identify possible predictors for long treatment duration. The sample was severely impaired in terms of comorbidity, educational achievement, and employment. The median duration of CS treatment was 33.0 months. Use of extended-release formulations of methylphenidate predicted long treatment duration positively (odds ratio, 4.420 [95% CI, 1.875–10.419]), whereas baseline antisocial personality disorder predicted long treatment duration negatively (odds ratio, 0.210 [0.085–0.518]). This study showed that it is possible to treat severely impaired and highly comorbid adult ADHD patients with CS over years. The finding that extended-release formulations of methylphenidate predict long treatment duration supports previous research, and it is important to show this association in naturalistic samples such as in the present study. Comorbid antisocial personality disorder was a negative predictor of long CS treatment duration. Univariate analyses also indicate that comorbid substance use disorder is related to shorter duration of CS treatment.
Contextual and ideological dimensions of attitudes toward discretionary abortion

This study examines the contextual and ideological dimensions of attitudes toward discretionary abortion using two national surveys. The abortion attitudes are dichotomized in terms of consistent opposition versus consistent support. Discriminant analysis, partial correlations, and stepwise regression procedures are used in the analysis. Findings indicate that education and attendance at religious services are the two most significant contextual dimensions and sexual permissiveness and fertility ideology are the two most significant ideological dimensions for explaining attitudes toward discretionary abortion. Implications of these findings are discussed.
ent-(15S)-Pimar-8(14)-ene-15,16-diol

The title compound {systematic name: (S)-1-[(2S,4aR,8aR)-2,4b,8,8-tetramethyl-2,3,4,4a,4b,5,6,7,8,8a,9,10-dodecahydrophenanthren-2-yl]ethane-1,2-diol}, C20H34O2, is an ent-pimarane diterpenoid which was isolated from the stem bark of Ceriops tagal. In the asymmetric unit, there are two crystallographically independent molecules, which are conformationally almost identical. In each molecule, the two cyclohexane rings of the fused three-ring system adopt chair conformations, while the cyclohexene ring is in an envelope conformation, with the methylene C atom next to the side chain as the flap atom. In the crystal, molecules are stacked in columns along the b axis through O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds.
SURVEY OF WILD SALMONID FISH IN GREAT BRITAIN IN YEAR 2000 FOR INFECTIOUS SALMON ANAEMIA ( ISA )

A survey of wild populations of Atlantic salmon and brown trout for the presence of ISA virus was conducted in 2000. Rivers were sampled that were known to have wild salmon populations and included widespread geographic areas of Scotland, northern England, Wales and south west England. No isolations of ISA virus were made and no clinical signs of ISA disease were observed. Six fresh water samples and one sea water sample of salmonids were positive for ISAV by RT-PCR all of these positive results were obtained in Scotland. Similarities in nucleotide sequences of segment 8 of amplified RNA from wild samples and the ISA virus responsible for ISA disease in Scottish farmed salmon provides strong evidence of an ISAV infection of wild salmonids. The distribution of infected fish is consistent with a non-random distribution with 0.6% of fish in Scottish rivers being positive. No RT-PCR positive results were obtained from samples in England and Wales.
Biochemical Effects of Recombinant Porcine Somatotropin on Pig Fetal Growth and Metabolism: A Review

Prenatal development is mainly dependent on a close interrelation between nutritional supply use and regulation by hormones and growth factors. Mechanisms during early embryonic development are sensitive to manipulation through selected management strategies of the sow and modifications of this strategy may serve as a model for the examination of molecular and cellular events controlling early embryonic growth. The administration of growth hormone (GH) to pregnant sows affects the development of fetuses in a manner dependent on the gestational period of treatment, therefore suggesting that maternal GH plays a significant role in prenatal development. In addition, in well-fed and feed-restricted gilts, treatment with porcine somatotropin (pST) during early to mid-pregnancy promotes the growth of their placenta and/or fetuses. Due to an exponential increase in research exploring the role of ST in growth biology, collectively, these studies resulted in an unprecedented increase in our understanding of how ST affects growth of domestic animals. Thus, the main purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the remarkable biological effects that pST has on pig fetal growth.