Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anti-herbivore structures of Paulownia tomentosa: morphology, distribution, chemical constituents and changes during shoot and leaf development.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Recent studies have shown that small structures on plant surfaces serve ecological functions such as resistance against herbivores. The morphology, distribution, chemical composition and changes during shoot and leaf development of such small structures were examined on Paulownia tomentosa. METHODS The morphology and distribution of the structures were studied under light microscopy, and their chemical composition was analysed using thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. To further investigate the function of these structures, several simple field experiments and observations were also conducted. KEY RESULTS Three types of small structures on P. tomentosa were investigated: bowl-shaped organs, glandular hairs and dendritic trichomes. The bowl-shaped organs were densely aggregated on the leaves near flower buds and were determined to be extrafloral nectarines (EFNs) that secrete sugar and attract ants. Nectar production of these organs was increased by artificial damage to the leaves, suggesting an anti-herbivore function through symbiosis with ants. Glandular hairs were found on the surfaces of young and/or reproductive organs. Glandular hairs on leaves, stems and flowers secreted mucilage containing glycerides and trapped small insects. Secretions from glandular hairs on flowers and immature fruits contained flavonoids, which may provide protection against some herbivores. Yellow dendritic trichomes on the adaxial side of leaves also contained flavonoids identical to those secreted by the glandular hairs on fruits and flowers. Three special types of leaves, which differed from the standard leaves in shape, size and identity of small structures, developed near young shoot tips or young flower buds. The density of small structures on these leaf types was higher than on standard leaves, suggesting that these leaf types may be specialized to protect young leaves or reproductive organs. Changes in the small structures during leaf development suggested that leaves of P. tomentosa are primarily protected by glandular hairs and dendritic trichomes at young stages and by the EFNs at mature stages. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that P. tomentosa protects young and/or reproductive organs from herbivores through the distribution and allocation of small structures, the nature of which depends on the developmental stage of leaves and shoots.
Performance Measurement of Turkish and Chinese Manufacturing Firms: A Comparative

The aim of this paper is to compare the relative efficiencies of manufacturing companies of China, one of the BRIC countries (BRIC: Brazil, Russia, India, China) that are expected to dominate the world economy in 2050s, and Turkey, that is an attractive emerging market (Morgan Stanley Index 2006) with great potential. We will determine the relative performances of Turkish and Chinese manufacturing firms using weight restricted Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Weights of inputs and outputs are estimated by canonical correlation analysis. Mean efficiencies of the firms of the two countries are compared by t-test. The results of DEA and statistical analyses indicate that Chinese manufacturing firms are highly efficient than Turkish manufacturing firms on average.
Variants of Toll-like Receptor 4 Predict Cardiac Recovery in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy*

Background: The impact of polymorphisms of TLR4 on left ventricular performance in DCM patients is unknown. Results: Patients carrying TLR4 variants had reduced improvement of left ventricular function and dilation and no increase in NT-pro-BNP level at follow up when compared with wild type genes. Conclusion: TLR4 variants predict cardiac recovery in DCM. Significance: This is the first study to investigate the impact of an innate immune receptor on cardiac recovery in human DCM. The clinical course of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) varies from cardiac recovery to end stage heart failure. The etiology of this variability is largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the impact of coding polymorphisms of the innate immune protein Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) on left ventricular performance in patients with DCM. Two variants of TLR4 (rs4986790, TLR4 c.1187A→G, p.299D→G and rs4986791,TLR4 c.1487C→T, p.T399I) were investigated in 158 patients with DCM. Other reasons for heart failure were excluded by coronary angiography, myocardial biopsy, and echocardiography. Risk factors, age, gender, or treatment did not differ among the groups. At the follow-up evaluation (median 4.0–5.4 months), patients carrying the TLR4 wild type gene displayed cardiac recovery under intense medical heart failure therapy indexed by reduced left ventricular dilation, improved left ventricular ejection fraction, and reduced NT-probrain natriuretic peptide blood level when compared with the initial evaluation. In contrast, patients carrying both the rs4986790 and the rs4986791 variant showed significantly reduced improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction (p = 0.006) and left ventricular dilation (p = 0.015) at the follow-up evaluation when compared with carriers of the wild type gene under the same treatment conditions. In addition, NT-probrain natriuretic peptide level in carriers of both TLR4 variants did not change significantly at the follow up when compared with the first evaluation. Among patients with DCM, the presence of the TLR4 variants rs4986790 and rs4986791 predicts impaired cardiac recovery independently of medical treatment or cardiac risk factors.
Pay Harmony? Social Comparison and Performance Compensation in Multi-Business Firms

Our study presents evidence that social comparison influences both the level of pay and the degree of performance sensitivity within firms. We report pay patterns among division managers of large, multibusiness firms over a 14-year period. These patterns are consistent with employees comparing pay against both their peers (horizontal comparison) and the chief executive officer (vertical comparison) within their firm. Horizontal comparison also appears to reduce pay–performance sensitivity, in accord with prior theory proposing that performance pay can lead to perceived pay inequity among employees. Taken together, our evidence suggests that agency costs and social comparison jointly influence pay within firms. The evidence also supports the notion that managers of multibusiness firms are constrained in the degree to which they can incentivize employees, given the firm-imposed reference group.The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2017. 1109 .
Sequence Analyses of the Representative Chinese-Prevalent Strain of Avian Nephritis Virus in Healthy Chicken Flocks

SUMMARY. Avian nephritis virus (ANV), which belongs to the Astroviridae family, has been associated with acute nephritis in chickens. Cases of ANV infection have been recorded in Japan and in several European countries. However, related studies have never been performed in China. Thus, this study isolated ANV in Chinese chicken flocks. ANV RNA was detected by reverse transcription–PCR in stool samples collected from healthy layer chickens in the Sichuan Province of China in 2009. Of the 192 stool specimens collected, 32.3% (62/192) were positive for ANV infection. The whole genome of ANV-Sichuan54, the first representative Chinese strain, was 6941 nucleotides in length, including the 5′ untranslated region, three open reading frames (ORFs), a 3′ UTR, and a poly-(A) tail. Comparative and phylogenetic analyses based on partial RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (ORF1b) demonstrated that the majority of ANV investigations were more closely related to the U.S. ANV strain (DQ324827–324836) than to the G-4260 (AB033998).
A Social-Cognitive Model of Consumer Well-Being

This study establishes a social-cognitive model of consumer well-being to explain the psychological mechanism underlying the relationships between service organizations’ marketing strategies and consumer well-being. Using a two-wave longitudinal design, we surveyed 168 clients from a major credit counseling organization. Results show that organizational strategies influence consumers’ domain-specific well-being via social-cognitive variables (including self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and process expectations) and goal-pursuit processes (both goal setting and goal striving). Specifically, organizational strategies, including organizational support and organizational socialization, contribute to consumers’ goal intentions both directly and indirectly via outcome and process expectations at the goal-setting stage. In the goal-striving stage, goal intention leads to goal achievement, a path strengthened by organizational support. Goal achievement contributes to increases in consumers’ domain-specific well-being. Customers who are in the early or late stages of a service program are more likely to fail in achieving their goals than those who are in the middle of the program. This study sheds new light on transformative service research by demonstrating the role of the service organization in enhancing consumer well-being and suggests that service strategies should focus on shaping consumers’ social cognitions and facilitating their pursuit of valued personal goals.
Chronic urticaria and coagulation: pathophysiological and clinical aspects

Chronic urticaria (CU) is a widespread skin disease, characterized by the recurrence of transient wheals and itch for more than 6 weeks. Besides autoimmune mechanisms, coagulation factors, in particular tissue factor and thrombin, might also participate in the disease pathophysiology. Tissue factor expressed by eosinophils can induce activation of blood coagulation generating thrombin which in turn can increase vascular permeability both directly, acting on endothelial cells, and indirectly, inducing degranulation of mast cells with release of histamine, as demonstrated in experimental models. D‐dimer, a fibrin degradation product, generated following activation of the coagulation cascade and fibrinolysis, has been found to be increased during urticaria exacerbations; moreover, it has been proposed as a biomarker of severity and resistance to H1‐antihistamines in CU patients. The possible role of coagulation in CU is also supported by case reports, case series and a small controlled study showing the efficacy of anticoagulant therapy in this disease. The purpose of this review was to summarize the available data on the possible contribution of coagulation to the pathophysiology of CU focusing on clinical aspects and possible future therapeutic developments.
Probe pressure effects on human skin diffuse reflectance and fluorescence spectroscopy measurements.

Diffuse reflectance and fluorescence spectroscopy are popular research techniques for noninvasive disease diagnostics. Most systems include an optical fiber probe that transmits and collects optical spectra in contact with the suspected lesion. The purpose of this study is to investigate probe pressure effects on human skin spectroscopic measurements. We conduct an in-vivo experiment on human skin tissue to study the short-term (<2 s) and long-term (>30 s) effects of probe pressure on diffuse reflectance and fluorescence measurements. Short-term light probe pressure (P0<9 mN∕mm2) effects are within 0 ± 10% on all physiological properties extracted from diffuse reflectance and fluorescence measurements, and less than 0±5% for diagnostically significant physiological properties. Absorption decreases with site-specific variations due to blood being compressed out of the sampled volume. Reduced scattering coefficient variation is site specific. Intrinsic fluorescence shows a large standard error, although no specific pressure-related trend is observed. Differences in tissue structure and morphology contribute to site-specific probe pressure effects. Therefore, the effects of pressure can be minimized when the pressure is small and applied for a short amount of time; however, long-term and large pressures induce significant distortions in measured spectra.
Isolation and functional characterization of regulatory CD25brightCD4+ T cells from the target organ of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

In the homeostasis of the immune system regulatory cells play a major role. Removal of one group of regulatory cells, the CD25+CD4+ T cells, leads to autoimmune manifestations in experimental animal models, and reintroduction of this population prevents disease. This study addresses the role of such regulatory T cells in humans with an autoimmune disease, where we demonstrate the presence of CD25brightCD4+ T cells in the target organ of patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. The patients displayed an enrichment of CD25brightCD4+ T cells in synovial fluid as compared to peripheral blood. These cells are functional regulatory cells, as they were able to suppress in vitro proliferation of autologous T cells, bothfrom synovial and peripheral blood origin. Although the frequency of CD25brightCD4+ T cells varied between patients, it was found to be constant over time in any one joint during each relapse. Numbers were also comparable in two inflamed knee joints of one and the same patient, emphasizing the symmetry of the disease. In summary, it is striking that in addition to all activated, potentially pathological T cells the synovial fluid from RA patients also contains CD25‐expressing CD4+ T cells with a regulatory capacity.
Stakeholder orientation: development and testing of a framework for socially responsible marketing

Drawing on the market orientation and stakeholder literatures, we conceptualize and operationalize stakeholder orientation to explore the potential contribution of the marketing function in a stakeholder view of the firm. Stakeholder orientation, similar to market orientation, is operationalized as both an organizational culture and a set of behaviors. The results of a managerial survey reveal that a new construct of stakeholder-oriented behaviors has a strong positive association with market performance, financial performance, reputation, and employee commitment. Overall, our study illustrates how a stakeholder view of the firm can help improve managerial practices that contribute to improved financial, social, and ethical performance.
Aetiology of separation-related behaviour in domestic dogs

A longitudinal study of seven litters of labrador retrievers and five litters of border collies from eight weeks to 18 months of age indicated that the majority showed some degree of potentially undesirable behaviour when separated from their owners. Its incidence was particularly high in the labrador retrievers, of which 13 of 23 showed separation-related behaviour for more than a month. Socially diverse environments experienced between six and 12 months of age were associated with a subsequent absence of separationrelated behaviour. In a questionnaire survey of dog owners, separation-related behaviour was reported in 27 of 94 dogs, and a further 20 had shown the behaviour in the past. Male dogs were more likely to express separation-related behaviour currently, and females were more likely never to have displayed it. The prevalence of the behaviour was unaffected by whether the dog was pedigree or mixed breed, or whether it had been obtained from a breeder or from a rescue organisation. Combining the results of the two studies, the owners of only six of 75 dogs showing separation-related behaviour had sought assistance, and only two of the owners had sought help from veterinary surgeons.
Mechanisms of trophoblast migration, endometrial angiogenesis in preeclampsia: The role of decorin

abstract The objective of the present review is to synthesize the information on the cellular and molecular players responsible for maintaining a homeostatic balance between a naturally invasive human placenta and the maternal uterus in pregnancy; to review the roles of decorin (DCN) as a molecular player in this homeostasis; to list the common maladies associated with a break-down in this homeostasis, resulting from a hypo-invasive or hyper-invasive placenta, and their underlying mechanisms. We show that both the fetal components of the placenta, represented primarily by the extravillous trophoblast, and the maternal component represented primarily by the decidual tissue and the endometrial arterioles, participate actively in this balance. We discuss the process of uterine angiogenesis in the context of uterine arterial changes during normal pregnancy and preeclampsia. We compare and contrast trophoblast growth and invasion with the processes involved in tumorigenesis with special emphasis on the roles of DCN and raise important questions that remain to be addressed. Decorin (DCN) is a small leucine-rich proteoglycan produced by stromal cells, including dermal fibroblasts, chondrocytes, chorionic villus mesenchymal cells and decidual cells of the pregnant endometrium. It contains a 40 kDa protein core having 10 leucine-rich repeats covalently linked with a glycosaminoglycan chain. Biological functions of DCN include: collagen assembly, myogenesis, tissue repair and regulation of cell adhesion and migration by binding to ECM molecules or antagonising multiple tyrosine kinase receptors (TKR) including EGFR, IGF-IR, HGFR and VEGFR-2. DCN restrains angiogenesis by binding to thrombospondin-1, TGFβ, VEGFR-2 and possibly IGF-IR. DCN can halt tumor growth by antagonising oncogenic TKRs and restraining angiogenesis. DCN actions at the fetal-maternal interface include restraint of trophoblast migration, invasion and uterine angiogenesis. We demonstrate that DCN overexpression in the decidua is associated with preeclampsia (PE); this may have a causal role in PE by compromising endovascular differentiation of the trophoblast and uterine angiogenesis, resulting in poor arterial remodeling. Elevated DCN level in the maternal blood is suggested as a potential biomarker in PE.
Brand orientation: Past, present, and future

The articles in this special issue contribute to the advances and development in the scholarship of brand orientation. They encompass a wide range of sub-topics, and collectively offer a unique insight into the still-emerging concept and new paradigm of brand orientation. In the process, they show how researchers across the world are contributing to the advancement of theory and practice. Our open-minded Call for Papers yielded fruitful cross-fertilisation and innovative perspectives. This special issue can thus be claimed to be a milestone in the enhanced understanding of the concept of brand orientation, and we are delighted to have had the privilege of being its Guest Editors.
Patterns of Nucleotide Polymorphism Distinguish Temperate and Tropical Wild Isolates of Caenorhabditis briggsae

Caenorhabditis briggsae provides a natural comparison species for the model nematode C. elegans, given their similar morphology, life history, and hermaphroditic mode of reproduction. Despite C. briggsae boasting a published genome sequence and establishing Caenorhabditis as a model genus for genetics and development, little is known about genetic variation across the geographic range of this species. In this study, we greatly expand the collection of natural isolates and characterize patterns of nucleotide variation for six loci in 63 strains from three continents. The pattern of polymorphisms reveals differentiation between C. briggsae strains found in temperate localities in the northern hemisphere from those sampled near the Tropic of Cancer, with diversity within the tropical region comparable to what is found for C. elegans in Europe. As in C. elegans, linkage disequilibrium is pervasive, although recombination is evident among some variant sites, indicating that outcrossing has occurred at a low rate in the history of the sample. In contrast to C. elegans, temperate regions harbor extremely little variation, perhaps reflecting colonization and recent expansion of C. briggsae into northern latitudes. We discuss these findings in relation to their implications for selection, demographic history, and the persistence of self-fertilization.
The adoption, use and diffusion of smartphones among adults over fifty in the UK

Smartphones are innovations that currently provide immense benefits and convenience to users in society. However, not all the users of society are accepting and using smart phones, more specifically, for this research study older adults (50+) are a demographic group displaying such an attitude. Currently, there is minimal knowledge of the reasons that older adults adopt and use smartphones. Bearing this in mind, this research study aimed to identify, examine and explain the adoption and usage of smartphones in the UK within the 50 years old and above population. For this purpose, a conceptual framework, a Model of Smartphone Adoption (MOSA) was formed drawing factors from the theories of Unified theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), the Diffusion of Innovations theory (DoI) and Technology Acceptance Model 3 (TAM3). Seven variables from the theories were brought to consideration, which were Observability, Social influence, Compatibility, Effort expectancy, Facilitation conditions, Performance expectancy and Perceived enjoyment. For the research method, a quantitative approach was selected to examine and apply MOSA that involved the data collection method of an online questionnaire survey that resulted in 204 completed replies during the pilot phase of this research and 984 in the final phase. The collected data was analysed using SEM-PLS where the results found that six of the eight formed hypotheses were supported, and the factors of Compatibility, Effort expectancy, Facilitation condition, Performance expectancy and Perceived enjoyment were important for the adoption of smartphones. From these results, it was understood that older adults used smartphones because they have enough knowledge, time and money to use. They also think that smartphones are easy to use, provide benefits including enjoyment and are compatible with their lifestyles. In terms of usage, older adults frequently used the basic features of smartphones such as making a phone call, SMS, email, and browsing. Older adults are also likely to use their devices for seeking information about their health and for appointments with their doctors; however, from this research it was found that more than half of the 50 years old and above adults did not use smartphones for health and well-being purposes. The contributions of this research are viewed to be the identification and understanding of the factors that encourage or inhibit smartphones use within the older adult population. Secondly, this research can inform smartphone manufacturers and developers of factors pertinent for the design of computing devices and applications specific to silver surfers. Finally, this research can enlighten policy makers when forming decisions that encourage the adoption and use of smartphones within the older adult population. Regarding limitations, these existed in the form of finance and time. To overcome the limitations, this research recommends further studies that apply qualitative research and/or to provide a comparison between western and eastern countries.