Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposure on response perseveration and ultrasonic vocalization emission in rat during development

The 3 major symptoms of autistic spectrum disorders include 1) social behavioral alterations, 2) problems in communication and 3) higher-order motoric deficits of perseveration and stereotyped movements. Previous work has shown that early developmental exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) alters rat pup social motivation and juvenile rat social recognition/investigation. The present work extends this previous research by examining how perinatal PCB exposure alters motoric functions and communication abilities at different stages of development. Action perseveration was examined using performance measures from a T-maze environment. Communication abilities were evaluated by monitoring ultrasound emission in rat pups during a brief isolation from the litter. T-maze learning and performance were significantly impaired in PCB exposed animals. Additionally, PCB exposure led to reduced ultrasound emission rates during brief isolation from the natal group. When combined with the previous work using the same developmental exposure regimen, it seems clear that PCB exposure at moderate doses can lead to alterations in 1) social behavior, 2) action choice and perseveration, and 3) communication abilities making it a potential candidate as an endocrine disruptor involved in the production of autistic spectrum disorder in the human population.
A RANDOMIZED COMPARISON OF ULTRASOUND GUIDED VERSUS BLINDLY PLACED RADIAL ARTERIAL CATHETERS

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound (US) guided radial artery cannulation as compared to the blind insertion of arterial line in intensive care unit of a tertiary care center. Methodology: One hundred patients were divided into two equal groups. In group I, arterial line was inserted using the blind palpation technique. While in group II, arterial line was inserted with the help of ultrasound guidance. The primary endpoints were time of insertion in 1st attempt, number of first successful attempts and maximum number of attempts used for insertion of arterial line. Data was analyzed by using SPSS V23. Chi-square test was used for analysis of gender and successful insertion in 1st attempt. Independent sample t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test were used to compare quantitative variables. Results: Mean baseline systolic blood pressure, mean diastolic blood pressure and mean pulse rate before surgery were also not significantly different between the groups. Arterial line was inserted in first attempt in in 88.0% patients in ultrasound guided group and in only 70.0% patients in blind palpation group (p-value 0.027). Arterial line insertion time in 1st attempt was also significantly less in ultrasound guided group 77.68±7.98 seconds versus 95.46±15.53 seconds in blind palpation group (p-value <0.001). We also found less number of attempts 1.16±0.37 in ultrasound guided group versus 1.44+0.67 in blind palpation group (p-value 0.025). Conclusion: Ultrasound guided radial artery cannulation is associated with higher rate of successful insertion and less time is required for arterial line insertion as compared to blind palpation method.
Inflammatory Infiltrate in the Respiratory Tract and Their Relationship to Respiratory Function Among Asthmatics in Accra, Ghana

Although many studies have been conducted into the cause, pathogenesis and lung changes in asthmatic patients, not much has been done in Ghana. This study sought to find out the inflammatory infiltrate in the airways tract and their relationship with respiratory function among asthmatics in Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana. One hundred and sixty-five subjects (77 controls, 88 asthmatics age range: 12-75 years, median age 43.5) participated in the study. Subjects completed a risk factor questionaire and provided sputum for cell count and spirometer was used for the lung function test. However, in patients with acute attack, the spirometry was done 4 weeks after the attack. Of the 88 asthmatics, thirty-three (40.74%) had FEV1 predicted values less than 50% compared with only 15 (9.48%) of controls. Forty-one (51.25%) and 59 (76.62%) of asthmatics and controls had FVC predicted value greater than or equal to 70% while 11 (13.75%) and 3 (8.90%) of asthmatics and controls respectively had FVC predicted value less than 50%. Twenty-six percent of the sputum smears from asthmatics and 1.2% of controls contained eosinophils (p-value0.014). Macrophages were present in 86% of smears from control and 46% smears from asthmatics, while neutrophils were found in 94% of smears from both asthmatics and controls (p-value-0.002). This study added to the fact that sputum cytology can be used to assess airway inflammation in asthmatics and concluded that, the effect of asthma on lung function is influenced by the predominant inflammatory cell type in the airways.
Inter-specific variation in susceptibility to grazing among common reef corals

Many species of reef fishes, such as butterflyfishes and wrasses, feed almost continuously and at very high rates upon reef-building corals. This study quantified grazing rates on 4 common reef corals (Acropora hyacinthus, A. millepora, Pocillopora damicornis, and massive Porites) to assess the variation in susceptibility to coral predation. We also assessed the variation in predation intensity within A. hyacinthus and A. millepora by standardising grazing rates by colony surface. Rates of grazing on individual colonies were lowest (0.95 ± 0.33 bites per 20 min; mean ± SE) for massive Porites and highest (16.75 ± 0.30 bites per 20 min) for A. hyacinthus. Within coral species, grazing rates showed a linear increase with increasing size of the colony; however, the intensity of predation showed a negative relationship with increasing colony size. Predation intensity was highest for small to medium sized colonies with a peak intensity of 1.13 ± 0.17 and 0.56 ± 0.09 bites per 100 cm2 per 20 min per colony for for A. hyacinthus and A. millepora colonies (200 to 600 cm2), respectively. In contrast, predation intensity was lowest for both very small and very large colonies, with very small colonies (<200 cm2) rarely being consumed by corallivorous fishes.
The Whole Is More Than the Sum of Its Parts— Or Is It? A Review of the Empirical Literature on Complementarities in Organizations

The concept of complementarity denotes the beneficial interplay of the elements of a system where the presence of one element increases the value of others. However, the conceptual work on complementarities to date has not progressed sufficiently to constitute a theory that would offer specific predictions regarding the nature of the elements that form complementary relationships or the conditions for their emergence. To advance our understanding of complementarities, the authors provide a synoptic review of the empirical studies on this concept in leading journals in management, economics, and related disciplines over the period 1988-2008. The authors find that whether a study provides evidence of complementarities in organizations is at least partially driven by its investigative approach. On the basis of the findings, the authors argue that complementarities are most likely to materialize among multiple, heterogeneous factors in complex systems. Therefore, the absence of complementary relationships between a limited set of individual factors may not negate the possibility of complementarities, but rather point to the need for including further systems-specific factors in the analysis. The authors conclude by providing directions for future theoretical and empirical research and outlining managerial implications of the work.
The Need for Clinical Pharmacy Services in Sri Lanka; a Study Based on the Prevalence of Drug Related Problems in Two Hospitals.

Clinical pharmacy is a discipline utilized in most countries to rationalize medication use. The key functions of a Clinical Pharmacist include the identification, prevention and solution of Drug Related Problems (DRPs). The objectives of this study were to assess the need for clinical pharmacists in Sri Lankan hospital inpatient care focusing on the prevalence of DRPs to understand the perception of doctors and nurses on introducing this service to Sri Lanka. This prospective observational study included 100 adult patients from government and private hospitals (50 from each). Their drug charts were reviewed to identify DRPs. Separate questionnaires were administered on 50 doctors and nurses respectively for the survey. Prevalence of DRPs was high in both groups. 92% of the government hospital patients and 80% of the private hospital patients included in this study had at least one or more DRPs. A total of 86 and 83 DRPswere identified in the government and private hospital patient samples respectively. The most prevailing DRP identified in both hospitals is the "Drug Choice Problem". According to the survey study results, 60% of the doctors believe the addition of clinical pharmacists will increase support for them in rationalizing drug therapy, but, only 10% of the nurses think there will be an increase in support. This study demonstrated that DRPs occur frequently in the hospital inpatient care;hence, there is a need for further studies in the intervention of the clinical pharmacists that can result I preventing these problems.
A Coupled Dynamical Ocean–Energy Balance Atmosphere Model for Paleoclimate Studies

Abstract The Bern3D coupled three-dimensional dynamical ocean–energy balance atmosphere model is introduced and the atmospheric component is discussed in detail. The model is of reduced complexity, developed to perform extensive sensitivity studies and ensemble simulations extending over several glacial–interglacial cycles. On large space scales, the modern steady state of the model compares well with observations. In a first application, several 800 000-yr simulations with prescribed orbital, greenhouse gas, and ice sheet forcings are performed. The model shows an increase of Atlantic meridional overturning circulation strength at glacial inceptions followed by a decrease throughout the glaciation and ending in a circulation at glacial maxima that is weaker than at present. The sensitivity of ocean temperature to atmospheric temperature, Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC), and Antarctic bottom water (AABW) strength is analyzed at 23 locations. In a second application the climate sensitivi.
Exploring Student Perceptions and Experience of a Course in Economic Evaluation

This study explored the perceptions and experiences of a group of students enrolled in an online course in Economic Evaluation. A mixed methods approach was adopted for the data collection, and thematic analysis was used to synthesize the data collected and highlight key findings. The participants identified several positive and negative perceived attributes of online learning, many of which are well documented in the literature. In addition, after exposure to the course, participants reported several factors that affected their learning experience on this course, some of which have not yet been reported in the wider literature. The five main factors affecting learning on this course include: 1) pace of learning in an online environment, 2) learning style, 3) immediacy of feedback, 4) method of content delivery, and 5) issues around navigating content. These findings could help improve online teaching practice and learning quality in future courses.
Relational mobility: A socioecological approach to personal relationships.

Title Relational mobility: A socioecological approach to personal relationships. Author(s) Yuki, Masaki; Schug, Joanna Citation 137-151 https://doi.org/10.1037/13489-007 Relationship Science: Integrating Evolutionary, Neuroscience, and Sociocultural Approaches Issue Date 2012-02 Doc URL http://hdl.handle. net/2115/52726 Rights This article may not exactly replicate the final version published in the APA journal. It is not the copy of record. Type article File Information YukiSchug_IARRchapter Corrected_Sept12_2011 (for distribution). pdf
Phylogenetic Support for a Specialized Clade of Cretaceous Enantiornithine Birds with Information from a New Species

ABSTRACT A new species of enantiornithine bird from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of northeastern China is reported. The new taxon, Shanweiniao cooperorum, possesses several enantiornithine synapomorphies as well as the elongate rostral morphology (rostrum equal to or exceeding 60% the total length of the skull) of the Chinese early Cretaceous enantiornithines, Longipteryx chaoyangensis and Longirostravis hani. The discovery of this new specimen highlights the existence of a diverse clade of trophically specialized enantiornithines, Longipterygidae, for which we present phylogenetic support in a new comprehensive cladistic analysis of Mesozoic birds. Shanweiniao provides new information on the anatomy of longipterygids, and preserves a rectricial morphology previously unknown to enantiornithines, with at least four tail feathers closely arranged. This supports the hypothesis that enantiornithines were strong fliers and adds to the diversity of known tail morphologies of these Cretaceous birds.
EXPERIMENTAL VENUE AND ESTIMATION OF INTERACTION STRENGTH: COMMENT

While experiments are vital for understanding how ecological systems operate, different philosophies exist concerning how experiments should be conducted (e.g., Petranka 1989, Dunham and Beaupre 1998, Resetarits and Fauth 1998, Skelly and Kiesecker 2001; also see the special features in Herpetologica [1989; 45:111– 128] and Ecology [1996; 77:663–705, see Dahler and Strong 1996]). Recently, Skelly (2002) asked how experimental venue (i.e., cattle tanks set up as mesocosms in a field setting vs. screened enclosures placed into natural ponds) influences competitive interactions between two species of larval anurans (Pseudacris crucifer and Rana sylvatica) and how results from the two venues match a standard of realism. He observed that density affected competitive interactions among larval anurans in mesocosms but not in enclosures and concluded that enclosures were more realistic because the observed size of tadpoles measured in the field was more similar to the size of tadpoles predicted by the enclosure experiment than by the mesocosm experiment. Although an empirical examination of venue is valid, we believe that this study has serious flaws and claims differences between venues that erroneously devalue the use of mesocosms. Our goal is to reinterpret the results from Skelly (2002) in light of its design, point out methodological/statistical issues associated with his study, and argue that both venues can make meaningful contributions to the field of ecology if they are designed correctly with regard to the questions being asked and the specific population of interest.
THE THREE-mm ULTIMATE MOPRA MILKY WAY SURVEY. II. CLOUD AND STAR FORMATION NEAR THE FILAMENTARY MINISTARBURST RCW 106

We report here a study of gas, dust, and star formation rates (SFRs) in the molecular cloud complexes (MCCs) surrounding the giant H ii region RCW 106 using 12CO and 13CO(1–0) data from the Three-mm Ultimate Mopra Milky way Survey and archival data. We separate the emission in the Galactic Plane around l = 330°–335° and b = −1°–1° into two main MCCs: the RCW 106 (VLSR = −48 km s−1) complex and the MCC331–90 (VLSR = −90 km s−1) complex. While RCW 106 (M ∼ 5.9 × 10 6 M ☉ ? > ) is located in the Scutum–Centaurus arm at a distance of 3.6 kpc, MCC331–90 (M ∼ 2.8 × 10 6 M ☉ ? > ) is in the Norma arm at a distance of 5 kpc. Their molecular gas mass surface densities are ∼220 and ∼130 M ☉ ? > pc−2, respectively. For the RCW 106 complex, using the 21 cm continuum fluxes and dense clumps counting, we obtain immediate past (∼−0.2 Myr) and immediate future (∼+0.2 Myr) SFRs of 0.25 - 0.023 + 0.09 M ☉ ? > yr - 1 ? > and 0.12 ± 0.1 M ☉ ? > yr - 1 ? > . This results in an immediate past SFR density of 9.5 - 0.9 + 3.4 M ☉ ? > yr - 1 kpc - 2 ? > and an immediate future SFR density of 4.8 - 3.8 + 3.8 M ☉ ? > yr - 1 kpc - 2 ? > . As both SFRs are higher than the ministarburst threshold, they must be undergoing a ministarburst event although burst peak has already passed. This is one of the most active star forming complexes in the southern sky that is ideal for further investigations of massive star formation and potentially shedding light on the physics of high-redshift starbursts.
Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera for Surveys Coronagraphic Imaging of the AU Microscopii Debris Disk

We present Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera for Surveys multicolor coronagraphic images of the recently discovered edge-on debris disk around the nearby (∼10 pc) M dwarf AU Microscopii. The disk is seen between r = 0. ″75 and 15″ (7.5–150 AU) from the star. It has a thin midplane with a projected FWHM thickness of 2.5–3.5 AU within r < 50 AU of the star that increases to 6.5–9 AU at r ∼ 75 AU. The disk's radial brightness profile is generally flat for r < 15 AU, then decreases gradually (I ∝ r-1.8) out to r ≈ 43 AU, beyond which it falls rapidly (I ∝ r-4.7). Within 50 AU the midplane is straight and aligned with the star, and beyond that it deviates by ∼3°, resulting in a bowed appearance that was also seen in ground-based images. Three-dimensional modeling of the disk shows that the inner region (r < 50 AU) is inclined to the line of sight by less than 1° and the outer disk by ∼3°. The inclination of the outer disk and moderate forward scattering (g ≈ 0.4) can explain the apparent bow. The intrinsic, deprojected FWHM thickness is 1.5–10 AU, increasing with radius. The models indicate that the disk is clear of dust within ∼12 AU of the star, in general agreement with the previous prediction of 17 AU based on the infrared spectral energy distribution. The disk is blue, being 60% brighter at B than I relative to the star. One possible explanation for this is that there is a surplus of very small grains compared with other imaged debris disks that have more neutral or red colors. This may be due to the low radiation pressure exerted by the late-type star. Observations at two epochs show that an extended source seen along the midplane is a background galaxy.
Effects of hatchery and wild ancestry and rearing environments on the development of agonistic behavior in steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fry

Chez les alevins recemment eclos d'une population sauvage de truites arc-en-ciel (Onchorhyncus mykiss) anadromes, on a observe qu'un type de comportement agonistique suscite par un miroir (les sujets attaquent le miroir en nageant) est plus marque que chez des alevins provenant d'une ecloserie locale (population domestiquee). Les jeunes alevins sauvages ont egalement domine ceux de l'ecloserie dans des provocations de domination dyadiques. Toutefois, compte tenu d'un avantage de taille d'environ 3,0 a 4,5%, les alevins de l'ecloserie ont domine les competiteurs sauvages de plus petite taille dans 68% des rencontres, ce qui indique qu'une faible difference de taille a l'eclosion peut avoir une grande influence sur la dominance. Les alevins de l'ecloserie qui ont ete eleves dans un cours d'eau naturel pendant 105 jours etaient plus agressifs que ceux qui ont ete eleves dans les bassins de l'ecloserie et que les alevins sauvages eleves dans l'un ou l'autre de ces milieux. Dans des bassins semblables, on a observe que lorsque la densite et les rations alimentaires sont faibles, le comportement agonistique est marque chez les alevins de l'ecloserie, mais non chez les alevins sauvages. Cette etude indique qu'apres quatre a sept generations de domestication, la population de l'ecloserie presente une divergence de comportement par rapport a la population sauvage dont provenaient les geniteurs des sujets de l'ecloserie. L'influence de ces differences sur l'issue des interactions entre les alevins de truites arc-en-ciel anadromes sauvages et les alevins eleves en ecloserie lorsqu'ils fraient dans des cours d'eau depend des differences de tailles et de l'epoque de l'eclosion de meme que de facteurs genetiques de l'agressivite.
Plant species diversity, plant biomass and responses of the soil community on abandoned land across Europe: idiosyncracy or above-belowground time lags

We examined the relationship between plant species diversity, productivity and the development of the soil community during early secondary succession on former arable land across Europe. We tested the hypothesis that increasing the initial plant species diversity enhances the biomass production and consequently stimulates soil microbial biomass and abundance of soil invertebrates. We performed five identical field experiments on abandoned arable land in five European countries (CZ, NL, SE, SP and UK) which allowed us to test our hypothesis in a range of climate, soil and other environmental factors that varied between the experimental sites. The initial plant diversity was altered by sowing seed mixtures of mid-successional grassland species with two or five grass species, one or five legumes and one or five forbs. The results of low and high sown diversity treatments were compared with plots that were naturally colonized by species present in the seed bank. In three out of the five field sites, there was no correlation between plant species number and plant biomass production, one site had a positive and the other a negative relation. Treatments with a high diversity seed mixture had a higher biomass than the naturally colonized plots. However, there was no significant difference between high and low sown diversity plots at four out of five sites. The three-year study did not give any evidence of a general bottom-up effect from increased plant biomass on biomass of bacteria, saprophytic fungi or abundance of microarthropods. The biomass of arbuscular mycorrhizal was negatively related to plant biomass. The abundance of nematodes increased after abandonment and was related to plant biomass at four sites. Our results support the hypothesis that plant species diversity may have idiosyncratic effects on soil communities, even though studies on a longer term could reveal time lags in the response to changes in composition and biomass production of plant communities.
Literature Review and Synthesis of Management Control Systems: in the Context of the Public Sector

The push for corporatisation and privatisation to make government enterprises more efficient and effective falls under the ideology of new public management (NPM) (Hood, 1995). However, government entities also need to focus on measuring the impacts of their activities on society. Their activities may come at a high cost financially, but if not provided could in the long run be more costly to society in terms of standard and quality of life. This paper explores the literature and synthesises use of Management Control Systems in the context of corporatised government owned entities.
The development of a case based reasoning tool for high-speed signalized expressway intersections in the state of Iowa

The safety of signalized expressway intersections has been the focus of prior research. These efforts have yielded results that were either inconclusive or required further investigation. This thesis presents the application of case-based reasoning to the issue. Similar intersections and crash reduction factors (CRFs) are used to establish expected crash performance for a candidate intersection. A spreadsheet based tool is developed that compares candidate intersections to these comparison sites. The tool uses expert opinions, attribute weights, and crash reduction factors to assist in the decision to signalize a site, to compare performance of existing signalized intersections to similar sites, or to explore the potential safety effects of intersection modification or changes in traffic patterns.