Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maize reproductive development and kernel set under limited plant growth environments

Maize grain yield is highly related to the number of kernels that are established during the flowering period. Kernel number depends on the accumulation of ear biomass and the efficiency of using this biomass for kernel set. Ear biomass depends on the rate of plant biomass accumulation and the proportion of this biomass that is allocated to the ear. In contrast to other major crops, the proportion of plant biomass that is allocated to the ear is not constant in maize, being almost zero under stress conditions. Fortunately, there is wide native genetic variability for this trait, with major practical implications for crop management and plant breeding. Conditions that inhibit plant growth commonly delay silk appearance relative to male anthesis. Time to silking and silk extrusion, which is a tissue expansion process, is dependent on water turgor and ear biomass accumulation, and the magnitude of this delay is used as a marker to phenotype for stress susceptibility. Ear biomass accumulation can also be used for predicting the number of silks that have been extruded if genotype-specific parameters are known. Here, several mechanistic plant and canopy traits are described, together with their implications for better understanding maize yield determination under limited plant growth environments. An ideal genotype sustains growth in environments with limited water or nutrients, has uniform canopies, has increased biomass partitioning to the ear at reduced plant growth, reaches silking with minimum ear biomass, and has rapid silk extrusion for minimizing developmental delays between competing structures within the ear. All these traits help maximize kernel set and yield at limited plant growth, and most have been indirectly selected by breeders when increasing yield.
Analysis of Tractor-Associated Fatalities

Introduction and Objective Tractor is regarded as a key equipment in agriculture, and it is also used for transportation and transfer purposes in addition to its agricultural use. Accidents resulting in death in farmlands are frequently encountered. Tractor-related fatalities are the most common ones among the deaths after farm accidents. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of tractor-related deaths and to discuss the measures that could be taken to prevent these deaths. Methods In this study, 42 cases who underwent postmortem examination and/or autopsy because of tractor fatalities in the province of Elazig between January 2005 and December 2016 were examined retrospectively with such variables as sex, age, month and season of incident, cause of incident, location of incident, position of case, and injured region. Results Of the cases, 36 (85.7%) were male, and 6 (14.3%) were female. The youngest case was 2 years old, and the oldest case was 83 years old; the mean age was 43.3 ± 25.0 years. Examining the deaths regarding the cause of incident showed that tractor rollover was the most common cause (42.9%). This was followed by being run over by the tractor (19.0%). Of the cases, 24 (57.1%) were drivers, 10 (23.8%) were passengers, and 8 (19.0%) were pedestrians. Conclusions Tractor-related fatalities due to tractor rollover are most often seen. To reduce the deaths caused by this reason, drivers should have special training and technical support, use helmets and seatbelts in the tractor, and have a health check at certain intervals (especially the drivers at advanced age).
Periprostatic Lidocaine Infiltration Versus Transrectal Lidocaine Gel For Local Anaesthesia In Transrectal Ultrasound Guided Prostate Biopsy

Management of pain plays an important role during prostate biopsy. Various types of management of pain plays an important role during prostate biopsy. Various types of anaesthetic methods have been used. The present study aimed to compare the efficacy and complication rate between periprostatic lidocaine infiltration and transrectal lidocaine gel in transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy. All prostate biopsy patients were included except those with lidocaine, allergy, haemorrhagic diathesis, anticoagulation therapy, the inability to rate a visual analogue scale and inability to obtain consent. They were randomized into two groups. Group 1 received 20ml 2% transrectal lidocaine gel. Group 2 received 5ml 1% lidocaine infiltration for each periprostatic nerve block with 23-gauge spinal needle. After three minutes, prostate biopsy was performed with an 18 gauge 7-inch spring-loaded biopsy gun. Six biopsies were taken for each lobe. Pain during probe insertion, biopsy and immediately after the procedure was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale. Any complication immediately after procedure, one day or after one week, was recorded. Mean pain score was lower after periprostatic lidocaine infiltration compared to transrectal lidocaine gel (3.1 + 1.9 versus 4.9 + 2.4, p = 0.027). There was no statistically significant difference in the complication rate. Transrectal ultrasound prostate biopsy using periprostatic lidocaine infiltration provides better anaesthesia as compared to the transrectal lidocaine gel application with no significant difference in complication. Thus, the use of periprostatic lidocaine infiltration in TRUS guided prostate biopsy is recommended.
Effects of losartan on cerebral and ocular circulation in healthy subjects.

AIMS The introduction of specific inhibitors of AT1 receptors, such as losartan, has enabled the investigation of the renin-angiotensin-system (RAS) in humans in vivo. We studied the role of the RAS in the cerebral and ocular circulation in healthy subjects. Haemodynamic effects of orally administered losartan were investigated with non-invasive methods. METHODS In a placebo-controlled randomized, double-blind two way crossover design losartan (100 mg orally) or placebo was administered in 10 healthy subjects. The effect of losartan was studied at hourly intervals for 8 h. In addition, the effect of losartan on haemodynamic changes induced by exogenous angiotensin II (Ang II) was assessed. Blood flow velocities in the ophthalmic and the middle cerebral artery (OA, MCA) were measured with Doppler sonography. Pulsatile choroidal blood flow was estimated with laser interferometric measurement of fundus pulsation. RESULTS Losartan significantly increased fundus pulsation amplitude (+11%, 95% CI: 5 to 16% P<0.0001), tended to increase resistive index in the ophthalmic artery (+12%, 95% CI: 0 to 23%) and tended to decrease mean arterial pressure (-15%, 95% CI: -23 to -1%). Ang II induced effects on cerebral, ocular and systemic haemodynamics were prevented by preceding administration of losartan. CONCLUSIONS The present data suggest that Ang II is not a major determinant of cerebral and ocular blood flow in vivo. The observed changes in cerebral and ocular haemodynamic parameters after losartan administration reflect effects on systemic blood pressure.
Effect of prolonged heavy exercise on renal function and urinary protein excretion.

The urinary proteins in normal men participating in an 85–kilometre ski race held in 1964 and 1965 were examined by electrophoresis, immunoelectrophoresis and gel filtration. The urinary escretion of protein, glucose, ribonuclease and α-amino acid-N was also studied. In conjunction With the 1965 race additional studies were made of urine flow, free water clearance, creatinine clearance sodium, phosphorus and potassium exeretion and examination of urinary sediment. There was a significant increase in total protein and albumin excretion during the race. The protein excretion varied considerably from one individual to another. In 9 subjects who participated in both years the protein excretion, and also the peremtage albumin found by electrophorcsis, showed a significant correlation between the two years. The excretion of glucose and α-amino acids, which are freely filtrable in the glomerule, was not significantly changed. Sor was the exeretion of the low molecular wright protein, ribonuclease. which may be expected to be almost completely filtrable. This suggests that tubular reabsorption is mainly unchanged during exercise, but that glomerular prmirability for relatively large molecules is increased. Creatinine clearance decreased during the race. Urine flow and sodium exeretion decreased slightly during exercise. Potassium exeretion increased both during and after the ski race. Urinary sediment showed increased amounts of red and white cells, and hyalinc casts.
Creeping soil

Soil creep is the most widespread and perhaps the least understood process of erosion on soil-mantled hillslopes. Soil is slowly ‘‘stirred’’ by burrowing creatures, and particles are displaced in wetting-drying cycles. These actions can cause downslope creep by processes analogous to particle diffusion. Other possible transport mechanisms include shear and viscous-like creep, such that precise characterization of the entire process appears to require the tracing of labeled soil grains. Here we use natural quartz grains in a mature soil to determine grain movements from the time elapsed since each grain last visited the ground surface, measured by single-grain optical dating. Downslope flux is calculated from soil production by rock weathering at the soil base, measured with in situ–produced cosmogenic nuclide concentrations (10Be and 26Al). Results show that grains throughout the soil profile repeatedly visit the surface, and give the first quantitative characterization of grain-scale transport processes within creeping soil. These unique field data are interpreted with a Monte Carlo simulation to suggest that soil creep involves independent movements of mineral grains throughout the soil body and that grains are reburied or eroded by overland flow upon reaching the surface.
GENETICS OF R E S T R I C T E D ANTIBODIES TO STREPTOCOCCAL GROUP POLYSACCHARIDES I N MICE 1. STRAIN DIleFERENCES OF ISOELECTRIC FOCUSING SPECTRA OF GROUP A HYPERIMMUNE ANTISERA BY MATTHIAS CRAMER* A~D

The complexity of the immune responses of CBA mice to the DNP and 4-hydroxy-5-iodo-3-nitrophenacetyl (NIP) 1 ligand was most dramatically demonstrated by the use of isoelectric focusing (IEF) (1, 2). The molecular basis of this overwhelming antibody heterogeneity within this inbred strain remains a puzzle. In order to study the basis of such variability, however, it appears desirable to select systems of greater simplicity. This requirement appears to be related to both the antigen and the experimental animal (3). For example, streptococcal polysaccharide antigens may induce immune responses which are characterized by a high degree of restriction in selected rabbits and certain mouse strains (4-8). IEF resolves specific antibodies at the level of single clone products (9). The method thus permits comparison of different antibody populations reflecting differences mainly in the variable region of heavy and light chains. I ts advantage is the possibility of studying several different monoclonal antibodies of a single antiserum simultaneously. This paper deals with differences observed in the serum levels and in the I E F patterns of streptococcal group A specific mouse antibodies obtained in inbred and hybrid mice. The latter approach is regarded as an alternative to idiotypic markers (10) for investigation related to antibody diversity.
JUN, FOS, KROX, and CREB transcription factor proteins in the rat cortex: Basal expression and induction by spreading depression and epileptic seizures

The expression of the nuclear c‐JUN, JUN B, JUN D, c‐FOS, FOS B, KROX‐24, and CREB transcription factors was investigated in the cortex of adult rats by immunocytochemistry. The expression patterns were studied in untreated rats and up to 24 hours following topical application of 1 M KCl to the cortical surface (KCl) or i.v. injection of bicuculline (BIC). Topical KCl induced cortical spreading depression and systemic injection of bicuculline evoked generalized tonic‐clonic seizures.
Adolescence, Winter 2001 v36 i144 p697(10)

This study examined conflict behaviors (self, other) among 127 Turkish college students. Differences in five conflict behaviors (forcing, avoiding, accommodating, compromising, and collaborating) were then explored in relation to popularity and unpopularity. Results indicated that the students engaged in more avoiding and compromising behaviors, while perceiving more forcing behavior in others. Further, the unpopular group was found to engage m more compromising behavior, and perceived more forcing behavior in others, as compared with the popular group. Constructive and destructive conflict strategies, and their implications for popularity, are discussed.
The case of the gene

The history of modernity is a story about humans emancipating themselves from prejudice and superstition through reason and science. Scientific research has been a major driving force of progress for human civilization since the industrial revolution in the mid‐18th century. During the past 250 years, humans have rapidly increased their use of science, as a tool not only to understand and shape their environment, but also to improve themselves with better health care and longer, more comfortable lives. Unfortunately, the application of science has not always been appropriate: Darwin's theory of natural selection was applied to social policies in the form of eugenics from the early 19th century until the second half of the 20th century. In this period, eugenics remained a popular ideology and, as a consequence, genetics was a popular science. It was also a period of significant human migration that increased racial diversity in Western nations, with resulting concerns about racial purity. Naturalism and social Darwinism were very popular throughout, while industrialization led to massive urbanization and increasing pauperism. Politically, it was a time of interventionist policies, such as the so‐called Progressive Era in the USA that led to drastic social and political change. > No more divine designer, no more life force is needed; life is determined by a genetic program and evolves as a result of chance—or human choice—and selection Eugenics gained scientific legitimacy in the early 20th century owing to Mendelian genetics, which offered a rational, scientific theory to understand, predict, and control heredity and thereby the characteristics of future generations. As pauperism, criminality, and “feeblemindedness” were thought to be genetically determined, eugenics offered a tool to eliminate these undesirable traits from the human population. Of course, the idea of a single and universal definition of “the gene” is currently disappearing together …
Using the internet for rapid investigation of an outbreak of diarrhoeal illness in mountain bikers

SUMMARY In summer 2008, we investigated an outbreak of diarrhoeal illness in participants of a mountain-bike event in Wales (UK) which had been affected by heavy rain. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to investigate the cause using an internet-based questionnaire. Fifty-three percent of those contacted responded, and 161 (46·5%) out of the 347 responders, reported gastrointestinal symptoms. Median day of onset was 3 days following the event. Ten riders reported receiving a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of Campylobacter. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the inadvertent ingestion of mud (OR 2·5, 95% CI 1·5–4·2, P<0·001) and eating ‘other’ food during the event (OR 2·1, 95% CI 1·2–3·6, P=0·01) as significant risk factors for illness. We concluded that the outbreak was caused by Campylobacter, spread to the riders by the inadvertent ingestion of mud which had been contaminated with sheep faeces from the rural course. Mountain-bike race organizers should consider microbiological hazards when risk-assessing potential race courses. The internet is an efficient tool for the investigation of outbreaks in computer-literate populations.
Disease characteristics as determinants of the labour market position of adolescents and young adults with chronic digestive disorders

Background Job prospects can be problematic for young patients with chronic digestive disorders. Objectives To compare the employment status and disease burden in young adult patients with several chronic digestive disorders with healthy controls, and to determine whether labour participation depends on disease characteristics, such as type of diagnosis and burden of disease. Participants In total 622 patients categorized into five diagnostic groups — inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (n=274), chronic liver diseases (n=78), congenital digestive disorders (n=104), food allergy (n=77), celiac disease (n=89) — and a population-based control group (n=248), age 15–24 years. Methods Labour participation and burden of disease (i.e. consequences of the disease in daily life) were assessed by a postal questionnaire. Multivariate statistics were computed to investigate the relationship between disease characteristics and labour participation. Results Patients with IBD or chronic liver diseases were found to have limited job prospects. Patients with chronic liver diseases, IBD and food allergy reported more disease burden regarding several indicators compared with controls. Logistic regression analyses including background characteristics revealed socio-economic status (educational level of parents) and nocturnal toilet use as important determinants of employment. In addition, gender and medication intake were found to be most determinative for a full-time position. Conclusions The possible impact of IBD and chronic liver diseases on the labour participation of young adults should be recognized and deserves extra attention from gastroenterologists so that young patients can be supported to increase their job opportunities.
Allee Effect and the Uncertainty of Population Recovery

Recovery of depleted populations is fundamentally important for conservation biology and sustainable resource harvesting. At low abundance, population growth rate, a primary determinant of population recovery, is generally assumed to be relatively fast because competition is low (i.e., negative density dependence). But population growth can be limited in small populations by an Allee effect. This is particularly relevant for collapsed populations or species that have not recovered despite large reductions in, or elimination of, threats. We investigated how an Allee effect can influence the dynamics of recovery. We used Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) as the study organism and an empirically quantified Allee effect for the species to parameterize our simulations. We simulated recovery through an individual‐based mechanistic simulation model and then compared recovery among scenarios incorporating an Allee effect, negative density dependence, and an intermediate scenario. Although an Allee effect significantly slowed recovery, such that population increase could be negligible even after 100 years or more, it also made the time required for biomass rebuilding much less predictable. Our finding that an Allee effect greatly increased the uncertainty in recovery time frames provides an empirically based explanation for why the removal of threat does not always result in the recovery of depleted populations or species.
Structural characterization of lipid-based colloidal dispersions using cryogenic transmission electron microscopy

Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy is an important technique for investigation of nano-structures formed by amphiphilic molecules in dilute aqueous solution. The basic principle and applicability of the method as well as sample preparation, interpretation of images and some artefacts are briefly outlined. The introductory section is followed by structural characterization of aqueous dispersions prepared from lipids with lamellar and non-lamellar propensities that form, respectively, liposomes and nano-size particles with a dense, frequently regular, internal structure. Eggphosphatidylcholine, soybean phosphatidylcholine, distearoyl phosphatidylcholine, dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine, and dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine are amongst the lipids with lamellar propensity, whereas glycerylmonooleate represents those of non-lamellar propensity. Steric stabilization of the nano-structures is achieved by using non-ionic block copolymers based on poly(ethylene glycol) that bear short blocks of lipid-mimetic units. Other physicochemical and biopharmaceutical techniques are employed to complement the structural investigations.
Cytokine Concentrations In Pediatric Patients With Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is a zoonotic disease that can be a severe illness in humans. We investigated concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-&agr; and IL-10 in serum samples obtained from 25 pediatric Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever cases and 35 control children with no signs of infection. Lower cytokine values in our patients could be a good prognostic factor to for a better outcome.
Cognition in epilepsy: a multichannel event related potential (P300) study

Auditory event‐related potentials (AERP) were elicited in 68 epileptic patients and 30 age‐matched controls. Epileptic patients had significantly prolonged N2 and P300 (P3) latencies compared with controls. Seven patients were above the range of 3 standard deviations from the control mean values. Amongst epileptics, patients with temporal lobe epilepsy had significantly prolonged P3 latencies compared to patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy. Patients with abnormal EEGs had significantly prolonged P3 latencies compared to those with normal EEGs. Patients on anticonvulsant monotherapy had shorter P3 latencies, compared to patients taking a combination of two or more anticonvulsants. Patients on shorter duration of treatment had less prolonged P3 latencies compared to those on longer anticonvulsant treatment.
Development of a clinical measure of postural control for assessment of adaptive seating in children with neuromotor disabilities.

The primary purposes of this article are to review the literature on seating assessment and to describe the development of a clinical evaluation scale, the Seated Postural Control Measure (SPCM), for use with children requiring adaptive seating systems. The SPCM is an observational scale of 22 seated postural alignment items and 12 functional movement items, each scored on a four-point, criterion-referenced scale. A secondary purpose of this article is to report the reliability of the seven-point Level of Sitting Scale (LSS). Interrater and test-retest reliability of the SPCM items and the one-item LSS were evaluated on a sample of 40 children with developmental disabilities who sat with and without their seating systems. Kappa values of . 75 or higher were considered excellent, . 40 to . 74 as fair to good, and less than . 40 as poor. The interrater reliability tests for the two seated conditions and the two test sessions conducted 3 weeks apart yielded overall item Kappa coefficient means of . 45 for the alignment section and . 85 for the function section. Test-retest results for the SPCM items were less satisfactory, with item Kappa coefficient means for the two seating conditions and raters of . 35 and . 29 for alignment and function, respectively. Reliability results did not appear to be consistently better among seating conditions, raters, or test sessions. Kappa coefficients for the LSS were fair to good for both interrater and test-retest reliability. Plans for future development of the SPCM and LSS are discussed.