Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Weeds in agricultural landscapes. A review

There is currently an increasing societal and political shift towards more sustainable agricultural systems to provide both food production and ecological biodiversity levels. This shift has recently modified scientific questioning and brought up new research challenges for agro-ecological research. This is the case in particular for weed management, where issues have so far largely focused on the conflict between weeds and crop productivity. Here, we review recent findings that have led to a changing perception on weeds in agro-ecosystems and upcoming areas in terms of weed management options. Our main findings are that weeds have numerous interactions with other organisms and, in turn, some of these interactions can have direct, either negative or positive, effects on the functioning of the agro-ecosystem. Many interactions are species-specific, and therefore assessing the role of weed communities in the agro-ecosystem would benefit from further development in the functional grouping of weed species. In terms of weed management our review shows that alternative cropping systems can deliver both good levels of crop productivity and of weed management at the field level. Weeds respond to landscape attributes and there is a need to fully assess the scope for utilizing the spatio-temporal organization of cropping systems and uncultivated habitats as a tool for minimizing weed infestations. Weeds are also submitted to biological regulation through the predation of their seeds and further research is required to assess the effect of cropping systems and landscape on levels of weed natural enemies, and therefore on the potential contribution of biological regulation in the management of weeds.
Factors Predicting Nurses' Consideration of Leaving their Job During the Sars Outbreak

Taiwan was affected by an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in early 2003. A questionnaire survey was conducted to determine (1) the perceptions of risk of SARS infection in nurses; (2) the proportion of nurses considering leaving their job; and (3) work as well as non-work factors related to nurses' consideration of leaving their job because of the SARS outbreak. Nearly three quarters (71.9%) of the participants believed they were 'at great risk of exposure to SARS', 49.9% felt'an increase in workload', and 32.4% thought that people avoided them because of their job; 7.6% of the nurses not only considered that they should not care for SARS patients but were looking for another job or considering resignation. The main predictors of nurses' consideration of leaving their job were shorter tenure, increased work stress, perceived risk of fatality from SARS, and affected social relationships. The findings are important in view of potential impending threats of pandemics such as avian influenza.
Combined endoscopic third ventriculostomy and choroid plexus cauterization as primary treatment for infant hydrocephalus: a prospective North American series.

OBJECT Combined endoscopic third ventriculostomy with choroid plexus cauterization (ETV/CPC) enhances the likelihood of shunt freedom over ETV alone, and thus avoidance of shunt-related morbidity, in hydrocephalic infants. To date, virtually all published reports describe experiences in Africa, thus hampering generalization to other parts of the world. Here, the authors report the first North American prospective series of this combined approach to treat hydrocephalus of various etiologies in infants. METHODS A prospective series of 50 boys and 41 girls (mean and median ages 4.7 and 3.2 months, respectively) with hydrocephalus underwent ETV/CPC performed by the senior author at Boston Children's Hospital from August 2009 through March 2014. Success data were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS The 91 patients treated included those with aqueductal stenosis (23), myelomeningocele (23), posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (25), Dandy-Walker complex (6), post-infectious hydrocephalus (6), and other conditions (8). Using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, 57% of patients required no further hydrocephalus treatment at 1 year. Moreover, 65% remained shunt free to the limit of available follow-up (maximum roughly 4 years). A Cox proportional hazards model identified the following independent predictors of ETV/CPC failure: post-infectious etiology, age at treatment younger than 6 months, prepontine cistern scarring, and prior CSF diversion. Of patients with at least 6 months of follow-up, the overall ETV/CPC success at 6 months (59%) exceeded that predicted by the ETV Success Score (45%). Complications included 1 CSF leak and 1 transient syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, and there were no deaths. CONCLUSIONS ETV/CPC is an effective, safe, and durable treatment for infant hydrocephalus in a North American population, with 1-year success rates similar to those reported in Africa and equivalent to those for primary shunt placement in North America. These findings underscore the need for prospective multicenter studies of the outcomes, quality of life, and economic impact of the procedure compared with primary shunt insertion.
Reduction of transient myocardial ischemia with pravastatin in addition to the conventional treatment in patients with angina pectoris. REGRESS Study Group.

BACKGROUND Lipid-lowering therapy reduces cardiac morbidity and mortality. Less is known about its potential anti-ischemic effect. METHODS AND RESULTS In a 2-year prospective randomized placebo-controlled study, the effect of pravastatin 40 mg on transient myocardial ischemia was assessed. Forty-eight-hour ambulatory ECGs with continuous ST-segment analysis were performed in 768 male patients with stable angina pectoris, documented coronary artery disease, and serum cholesterol between 4 and 8 mmol/L (155 and 310 mg/dL). During the trial, patients received routine antianginal treatment. In the patients randomized to pravastatin, transient myocardial ischemia was present at baseline in 28% and after treatment in 19%; in the placebo group, it was found in 20% and 23% of the patients, respectively (P = .021 for change in percentage between two treatment groups; odds ratio, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.93). Ischemic episodes decreased by 1.23 +/- 0.25 (SEM) episode with pravastatin and by 0.53 +/- 0.25 episode with placebo (P = .047). Under pravastatin, the duration of ischemia decreased from 80 +/- 12 minutes to 42 +/- 10 minutes (P = .017) and with placebo, from 60 +/- 13 minutes to 51 +/- 9 minutes (P = .56). The total ischemic burden decreased from 41 +/- 5 to 22 +/- 5 mm.min in the pravastatin group (P = .0058) and from 34 +/- 6 to 26 +/- 4 mm . min in the placebo group (P = .24). Adjusted for independent risk factors for the occurrence of ischemia, the effect of pravastatin on the reduction of risk for ischemia remained statistically significant (odds ratio, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.22 to 0.91; P = .026). CONCLUSIONS In men with documented coronary artery disease and optimal antianginal therapy, pravastatin reduces transient myocardial ischemia.
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur dynamics in a low salinity marsh system dominated by Spartina alterniflora

In the upper reaches of estuaries, the pulsing of nutrient inputs and salinity occurs on fine temporal and spatial scales. We investigated the supply and exchanges of N, P, and S along a salinity gradient in a Chesapeake Bay subestuary. Interactions among nutrients in surface water, sediment porewater, and shoots of the dominant marsh macrophyte Spartina alterniflora were also examined. The system was characterized by a spatial gradient in nutrient availability, with the low salinity region representing abundant allochthonous nitrogen and phosphorus inputs and minimal sulfur availability. Autochthonous production and consumption of nutrients were most important at the midpoint of the salinity gradient. These patterns were reflected in the N, P, and S content of S. alterniflora over one growing season. This brackish tidal creek system also had a gradient of temporal variability in levels of inorganic nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur. The higher salinity portion experienced the damping effect of waters of more constant nutrient composition, whereas the upper portion of the system was characterized by highly pulse nutrient availability. Interchanges between nutrient pools were apparent throughout the system. Sediment, and even surface-water, concentrations of nutrients seemed to respond to plant root zone oxidation and uptake and release of nutrients. Porewater biogeochemical processes were linked to surface-water nutrient dynamics as well.
The new arboretum of Indo-European “trees”. Can new algorithms reveal the phylogeny and even prehistory of Indo-European?*

Abstract Specialization in linguistics vs. biological informatics leads to widespread misunderstandings and false results caused by poor knowledge of the essential conditions of the respective methods and data applied. These are analyzed and the insights used to assess the recent glut of attempts to employ methods from biological informatics in establishing new phylogenies of Indo-European languages.
Individual differences and the conundrums of user-centered design: Two experiments

Individual differences between users of information systems can influence search performance. In user-centered design it is important to match users with system configurations that will optimize their performance. Two matching strategies were explored in the first experiment: the capitalization match, and the compensatory match. Findings suggest that a compensatory match is likely to be encountered more frequently in designing information systems. Having determined an optimal match between users and system configurations, it is necessary to find ways to ensure that users are guided to the appropriate configuration. The second experiment examined user selection of system configurations, and concluded that users do not act to optimize system configuration when they select features. This result suggests that information systems must have mechanisms such as user models to direct users to optimal configurations. These experiments suggest some of the complexities and problems encountered in applying individual differences research to user-centered design of information systems.
Exposure to ACEI/ARB and β-Blockers Is Associated with Improved Survival and Decreased Tumor Progression and Hospitalizations in Patients with Advanced Colon Cancer.

BACKGROUND Advanced colon cancer is associated with weight loss and decreased survival. Studies suggest that angiotensin and β-adrenergic blockade decrease colon cancer progression and ameliorate weight loss. This study aims to determine whether exposure to β-adrenoceptor blockers (BBs), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) is associated with decreased mortality, tumor progression, number of hospitalizations, or weight loss in colorectal cancer. METHODS Retrospective chart review included patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Survival, stage, hospitalization, cancer progression, cancer treatment, and body weight history were collected. RESULTS Two hundred sixty-two of 425 new stage III to IV colorectal cancer cases reviewed met the study criteria. Those exposed to ACEI/ARB, BB, or both were more likely to have diabetes, hypertension, and stage III colorectal cancer. Adjusting for age, presence of hypertension and diabetes, and stage, ACEI/ARB + BB exposure was associated with decreased mortality compared to unexposed individuals [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.5, confidence interval (CI) = 0.29-0.85; Cox regression, P = . 01]. Fewer total and cancer-related hospitalizations and decreased cancer progression in the ACEI/ARB + BB group versus the unexposed group (HR = 0.59, CI = 0.36-0.99, P = .047) were seen. Exposure did not affect weight changes; furthermore, body weight changes from both prediagnosis and at diagnosis to 6, 12, 18, and 24 months postdiagnosis predicted survival. CONCLUSIONS We have observed an association between exposure to a combination of ACEI/ARB + BB and increased survival, decreased hospitalizations, and decreased tumor progression in advanced colorectal cancer. Future studies will be needed to replicate these results and generalize them to broader populations. Determination of causality will require a randomized controlled trial.
Structural investigation of biogenic ferrihydrite nanoparticles dispersion

M. BALASOIU, L. A. ISCHENKO, S. V. STOLYAR, R. S. ISKHAKOV, Y. L. RAIKHER, A. I. KUKLIN, D. V. SOLOVIOV, T. S. KURKIN, D. ARANGHEL, G. M. ARZUMANIAN Joint Institute of Nuclear Research, Dubna, 141980, Russia Siberian Federal University, 660041, Krasnoyarsk, Russia Institute of Continuum Media Mechanics, Ural Branch of RAS, 614013, Perm, Russia Institute of Synthetic Polymer Materials RAS, Moscow, 117393, Russia National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering, P.O. BOX MG-6, Bucharest, Romania Institute of Physics, Siberian Branch of RAS, 660036, Krasnoyarsk, Russia
Anti-microbial efficacy of green tea and chlorhexidine mouth rinses against Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacilli spp. and Candida albicans in children with severe early childhood caries: A randomized clinical study

Introduction: Green tea is a beverage which is consumed worldwide and is reported to have anti-cariogenic effect. So, if it was as effective as chlorhexidine (CHX) mouth rinse against cariogenic microbes it could be considered a natural, economical alternative. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the anti-microbial efficacy of 0.5% green tea and 0.2% CHX mouth rinses against Streptococcus Mutans, Lactobacilli spp. and Candida Albicans. Materials and Methods: 30 children aged 4-6 years with S-ECC (based ondefs score) were selected. Children were divided randomly into 2 equal groups and were asked to rinse with the prescribed mouth rinse once daily for 2 weeks after breakfast under supervision. A base-line and post rinsing non-stimulated whole salivary sample (2 ml) was collected and tested for the number of colony forming units. The data was statistically analyzed using SPSS v16.0 software with one-way ANOVA and Tukey′sPOSTHOC test. Results: A statistically significant fall in colony count was found with both the mouth rinses in Streptococcus Mutans (P < 0.001, P < 0.001) and lactobacilli (P < 0.001, P < 0.001) but not against Candida albicans (P = 0.264, P = 0.264). Against Streptococcus Mutans, green tea mouth rinse was found to be significantly better than CHX mouth rinse (P = 0.005). Against lactobacilli spp, CHX mouth rinse was significantly better than green tea mouth rinse (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Green tea mouth rinse can be considered safe, economical and used without much concern. However, further studies are recommended.
Grape-Derived Polyphenolics Prevent Aβ Oligomerization and Attenuate Cognitive Deterioration in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive impairments in memory and cognition. Extracellular accumulation of soluble high-molecular-weight (HMW) Aβ oligomers has been proposed to be largely responsible for AD dementia and memory deficits in the Tg2576 mice, a model of AD. In this study, we found that a naturally derived grape seed polyphenolic extract can significantly inhibit amyloid β-protein aggregation into high-molecular-weight oligomers in vitro. When orally administered to Tg2576 mice, this polyphenolic preparation significantly attenuates AD-type cognitive deterioration coincidentally with reduced HMW soluble oligomeric Aβ in the brain. Our study suggests that grape seed-derived polyphenolics may be useful agents to prevent or treat AD.
Naturally Acquired Bovine Besnoitiosis

The pathogenesis of bovine besnoitiosis, a disease of increasing concern within Europe, is still incompletely understood. In this study, disease progression after natural infection with the causative apicomplexan Besnoitia besnoiti was monitored in histological skin sections of 5 individual female cattle over time. High-frequency skin sampling of 2 cattle with mild and 2 with severe acute, subacute, and chronic besnoitiosis, as well as from 1 animal during subclinical disease, enabled documentation from the beginning of the disease. Skin sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Giemsa, periodic acid–Schiff reaction, and anti-Besnoitia immunohistochemistry. In all 4 clinically affected animals, tachyzoite-like endozoites could be detected for the first time by immunohistochemistry, and tissue cyst evolution was monitored. Besnoitiosis-associated lesions were not detected in the animal showing the subclinical course. Because of the inconsistency of the nomenclature of Besnoitia tissue cyst layers in the literature, a new nomenclature for B. besnoiti cyst wall layers is proposed: tissue cysts consist of a hypertrophied host cell with enlarged nuclei, an intracytoplasmic parasitophorous vacuole with bradyzoites, a sometimes vacuolated inner cyst wall, and an outer cyst wall in more developed cysts. Inner and outer cyst walls can be readily distinguished by using special stains. In 1 animal, extracystic B. besnoiti zoites were immunohistochemically detected during the chronic stage. At necropsy, the 2 severely affected cows displayed large numbers of B. besnoiti cysts in a variety of tissues, including the corium of the claws, contributing mainly to the development of chronic laminitis in these 2 cases.
The Role of Previous Radiographs and Reports in the Interpretation of Current Radiographs

RATIONALE AND ODJECTIVES.The authors studied radiologists' patterns of using old reports and previous radiographs in the interpretation of current radiographic studies. Supplying information from previous studies is considered necessary for accurate interpretation; however, it is not clear how this information is used. METHODS.Eighteen radiologists interpreted 305 plain-film studies in a general radiologic interpretation area. Radiologists described their perceptions of the use of previous radiographs and reports in film interpretation. RESULTS.Overall, old films were used for 99% of interpretations and previous reports were used for 65%. Prior information increased confidence in 89% of cases, influenced diagnosis in 56% of cases, and assisted in detecting new pathology in 6% of interpretations. Old radiographs were judged most valuable in documenting the progression, regression, or stability of disease in 89% of cases. Previous reports were principally used to obtain patient history (43%). In no cases did the radiologist perceive that the old reports assisted in locating new pathology. CONCLUSIONS.Old films are judged more valuable than reports for documenting disease progress, and radiologists are unlikely to accept written reports as a substitute. Previous reports are used principally to improve clinical histories, a function that might be eliminated if adequate clinical data could be captured by other means.
Geography of Religion – Rediscovering a Subdiscipline

In many parts of the world, the significance of religion has increased during the last years and decades. In the sociology of religion, the secularization thesis was the dominant framework for the interpretation of developments in the realm of religion for a long time. Meanwhile, other explanation patterns have become more prominent, such as the individualization thesis and economic theories. The so-called “spatial turn” does not seem to have reached sociology of religion yet. In history of religion (religious studies), however, questions of spatiality and locality are being studied intensively. Geography of religion has been regarded a diverse and incoherent field until recently. In the past years this has changed. Two directions of research have become apparent. One of them mainly considers social geographical problems and methods while the other has been influenced by the new cultural geography approach. Both should more frequently work with the above mentioned theoretical approaches of sociology of religion. Geography of religion must not, however, lose track of its main goal: it always has to point to the fact that all religious processes take place in space and have a spatial dimension.
Characterization of pure quantum states of multiple qubits using the Groverian entanglement measure

The Groverian entanglement measure G({psi}) is applied to characterize pure quantum states vertical bar {psi}> of multiple qubits. This is an operational measure of entanglement in the sense that it quantifies the utility of the state vertical bar {psi}> as an initial state for the search algorithm. A convenient parametrization is presented, which allows us to calculate the Groverian measure analytically for certain states of high symmetry. A numerical procedure is used in order to calculate it for arbitrary pure states of multiple qubits. Using the Groverian measure to evaluate the entanglement produced by quantum algorithms may provide useful insight into the role of entanglement in making quantum algorithms powerful. Here we calculate G({psi}) for the intermediate states generated during the evolution of Grover's algorithm for various initial states and for different sets of marked states. It is shown that Grover's iterations generate highly entangled states in intermediate stages of the quantum search process, even if the initial state and the target state are product states.
Fractal fracture mechanics applied to materials engineering

The Classical Fracture Mechanics (CFM) quantifies velocity and energy dissipation of a crack growth in terms of the projected lengths and areas along the growth direction. However, in the fracture phenomenon, as in nature, geometrical forms are normally irregular and not easily characterized with regular forms of Euclidean geometry. As an example of this limitation, there is the problem of stable crack growth, characterized by the J-R curve [1, 2]. The rising of this curve has been analyzed by qualitative arguments [1, 2, 3, 4] but no definite explanation in the realm of EPFM has been provided.
Cardiovascular Risk Factors May Moderate Pharmacological Treatment Effects in Major Depressive Disorder

Objective: An increased association between depression and cardiovascular disease, as well as cardiovascular risk factors, led to the “vascular depression” hypothesis. This subtype of depression is postulated to have a different clinical presentation and to be more treatment-resistant. In this study, we measured the impact of cardiovascular risk factors on the outcome of antidepressant treatment in major depressive disorder (MDD). Method: We enrolled 348 MDD subjects, ages 19 to 65 years, in an 8-week treatment study with 20 mg fluoxetine per day. We recorded for each subject 6 cardiovascular risk factors: age (male ≥45, female ≥55), smoking, family history, hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia; and we defined a cardiovascular risk score (range, 0–6) by the number of risk factors present. Treatment outcome was measured as response (≥50% improvement on the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression [Ham-D-17]) and remission (final Ham-D-17≤7). Results: In logistic regression analyses, the cardiovascular risk score was significantly associated with treatment nonresponse and lack of remission when adjusting for age of onset of MDD and baseline severity of depression. The cardiovascular risk score remained significantly associated with treatment nonresponse when we additionally controlled for overall medical burden (measured with the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale). Among individual cardiovascular risk factors, elevated total cholesterol was a significant predictor of treatment nonresponse and lack of remission. Conclusion: Cardiovascular risk factors may have negative effects on the course of treatment in MDD. These results support the concept of “vascular depression” in younger subjects. MDD = major depressive disorder; Ham-D-17 = the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression.