Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the utility of experiential cross-training for team decision making under time stress

This study investigated the effectiveness of experiential cross-training in a team context for team decision-making under time stress in a simulated naval surveillance task. It was hypothesized that teams whose members explicitly experience all team positions will perform better under time pressure due to a better shared Team Interaction Model (Cannon-Bowers et al. 1993). In addition, it was posited that experiential cross-training would reduce the negative effect of member reconfiguration that can occur in certain military situations. Three groups of teams participated in this study (cross-trained, reconfigured and control). The experiment involved three team training sessions, followed by three time-stressed exercise sessions. During training, one group of teams was cross-trained (CT) by asking each member to perform an entire session at each of the three team positions. Member reconfiguration (where each member was shifted to another's position) was unexpectedly introduced at the first of the exercise sessions for the CT group and for another group (reconfigured) that had not been cross-trained. A third (control) group was neither cross-trained nor reconfigured. During training, the performance of non-CT teams improved more quickly than that of CT teams. During the exercise, the CT group did not achieve the level of performance of the control teams. The immediate effect of team member reconfiguration was to degrade performance significantly for the non-CT teams, but not for the CT teams. The findings are discussed in terms of the multiple mental models' view of team performance (Cannon-Bowers et al. 1993) and the authors discuss the relative utility of crosstraining when overall training time is fixed.
Increasing deaths involving oxycodone, Victoria, Australia, 2000–09

Objective In light of an emerging epidemic identified in the United States and Canada, to identify trends in fatal drug toxicity involving oxycodone and the demographic characteristics and indicators of socioeconomic disadvantage of the deceased. Study design Population-based observational study in Victoria, Australia. Population Decedents whose death was reported to the Victorian Coroner between 2000 and 2009 and where oxycodone was detected. Main outcome measures Association between supply of oxycodone and deaths. Demographic characteristics of decedents. Rate ratios of the rural or metropolitan location and socioeconomic indicators of disadvantage of the deceased. Results Supply to Victoria has increased nine-fold from 7.5 mg per capita in 2000 to 67.5 mg per capita in 2009. Detection of oxycodone in deaths reported to the Victorian Coroner has increased from 4 (0.08/100 000 population) in 2000 to 97 (1.78/100 000 population) in 2009—a 21-fold increase in deaths. Of the 320 cases described, 53.8% (172) were the result of drug toxicity. Of these, 52.3% were unintentional and 19.8% intentional self-harm; the remaining 27.9% are either still under investigation by the coroner or intent is unknown. Drug toxicity deaths were overrepresented in both rural areas and areas indexed with high levels of disadvantage. Conclusions The substantial increase in the number of deaths involving oxycodone is strongly and significantly associated with the increase in supply. Most drug toxicity deaths involving oxycodone were unintentional. This newly identified trend in fatalities in Victoria supports concerns that a pattern of increasing deaths involving oxycodone is emerging globally.
Radiographic study of the size of the first metatarso-digital segment in feet with incipient hallux limitus.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to confirm whether the absolute and relative lengths of the first metatarso-digital segment is greater than normal in incipient hallux limitus deformity. METHODS In a sample of 144 dorsoplantar radiographs under weightbearing conditions (94 of normal feet and 50 of feet with a slightly stiff hallux), measurements were made of the relative first metatarsal protrusion, the length and width of the first metatarsal and of the proximal phalanx of the hallux, the length of the distal phalanx of the hallux, and the total length of the hallux. RESULTS There were significant differences between the two types of feet in the relative first metatarsal protrusion, the width of the first metatarsal, the length and width of the proximal phalanx of the hallux, the length of the distal phalanx, and the total length of the hallux. CONCLUSION The size of the first metatarso-digital segment could be implicated in the development of hallux limitus deformity.
Experimental Inoculation of Conventional Pigs with Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus and Porcine Circovirus 2

ABSTRACT Postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) is a disease of nursery and fattening pigs characterized by growth retardation, paleness of the skin, dyspnea, and increased mortality rates. Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) has been demonstrated to be the cause of PMWS. However, other factors are needed for full development of the syndrome, and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection has been suggested to be one of them. Twenty-four conventional 5-week-old pigs were distributed in four groups: control (n = 5), PRRSV inoculated (n = 5), PCV2 inoculated (n = 7), and PRRSV and PCV2 inoculated (n = 7). The two groups inoculated with PRRSV showed growth retardation. Pigs inoculated with both PRRSV and PCV2 had increased rectal temperature. One of these pigs developed wasting, had severe respiratory distress, and died. The most important microscopic lesion in pigs inoculated with PCV2 was lymphocyte depletion with histiocytic infiltration of the lymphoid organs, more severe and in a wider range of tissues in doubly inoculated pigs. Interstitial pneumonia was observed in the three inoculated groups. PCV2 nucleic acid was found by in situ hybridization in larger amounts and in a wider range of lymphoid tissues in PRRSV- and PCV2-inoculated than in PCV2-inoculated pigs. TaqMan PCR was performed to quantify the PCV2 loads in serum during the experiment. PCV2 loads were higher in doubly inoculated pigs than in pigs inoculated with PCV2 alone. These findings indicate that severe disease can be reproduced in conventional 5-week-old pigs by inoculation of PRRSV and PCV2. Moreover, these results support the hypothesis that PRRSV infection enhances PCV2 replication.
A Response Element for the Homeodomain Transcription Factor Ptx3 in the Tyrosine Hydroxylase Gene Promoter

Abstract: Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) is the rate‐limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of catecholamines, which takes place in different types of neuronal systems and nonneuronal tissues. The transcriptional regulation of the TH gene, which is complex and highly variable among different tissues, reflects this heterogeneity. We recently isolated a homeodomain transcription factor, named Ptx3, that is uniquely expressed in the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta and ventral tegmental area, which together form the mesencephalic dopaminergic system. This strict localization and its coinciding induction of expression with the TH gene during development suggested a possible role for this transcription factor in the control of the TH gene. We report here the presence of a responsive element for Ptx3 located at position ‐50 to ‐45 of the rat TH promoter. Transient transfections using TH promoter constructs and electrophoretic mobility shift assays using Ptx3‐containing nuclear extracts demonstrated that this region binds Ptx3 protein and confers a transcriptional effect on the TH gene. Depending on the cell type, the effect of Ptx3 was an eight‐ to 12‐fold enhancement of TH promoter activity in Neuro2A neuroblastoma cells, or a 60‐80% repression in nonneuronal human embryonic kidney 293 cells. Despite the close association of the Ptx3‐binding site and the major cyclic AMP‐response element in the TH gene, no interplay was found between Ptx3 and cyclic AMP‐modulating agents. In combination with the orphan nuclear receptor Nurr1, which is required for the induction of the TH gene in mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons, the TH promoter activity to Ptx3 was enhanced in Neuro2A cells. Nurr1 alone displayed only very weak activity on the TH promoter in this cell type. The results demonstrate that the homeodomain protein Ptx3 has the potential to act on the promoter of the TH gene in a markedly cell type‐dependent fashion. This suggests that Ptx3 contributes to the regulation of TH expression in mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons.
The relationship of task self-efficacy and role efficacy beliefs to role performance in Spanish youth soccer

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between role efficacy and role performance after controlling for the effects of task self-efficacy. Two hundred and ninety-five Spanish youth soccer players from 20 teams completed self-report measures of task self-efficacy, role efficacy and role performance at the mid-point of a competitive season. The 20 team coaches also provided ratings of each of their players' role performances at mid-season. Consistent with hypotheses, bivariate correlations showed task self-efficacy and role efficacy were positively related to role performance ratings. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that role efficacy contributed significantly to the prediction of athletes' ratings of role performance after controlling for task self-efficacy. Role efficacy also explained significant variation in the prediction of coach ratings; however, the effects were less dramatic and inconsistent. Our results support self-efficacy theory and reinforce the value of assessing efficacy beliefs representing behaviours carried out both independently and interdependently for the prediction of role performance within team environments. Future research directions are proposed.
Time in tortoiseshell: a bomb radiocarbon-validated chronology in sea turtle scutes

Some of the most basic questions of sea turtle life history are also the most elusive. Many uncertainties surround lifespan, growth rates, maturity and spatial structure, yet these are critical factors in assessing population status. Here we examine the keratinized hard tissues of the hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) carapace and use bomb radiocarbon dating to estimate growth and maturity. Scutes have an established dietary record, yet the large keratin deposits of hawksbills evoke a reliable chronology. We sectioned, polished and imaged posterior marginal scutes from 36 individual hawksbills representing all life stages, several Pacific populations and spanning eight decades. We counted the apparent growth lines, microsampled along growth contours and calibrated Δ14C values to reference coral series. We fit von Bertalanffy growth function (VBGF) models to the results, producing a range of age estimates for each turtle. We find Hawaii hawksbills deposit eight growth lines annually (range 5–14), with model ensembles producing a somatic growth parameter (k) of 0.13 (range 0.1–0.2) and first breeding at 29 years (range 23–36). Recent bomb radiocarbon values also suggest declining trophic status. Together, our results may reflect long-term changes in the benthic community structure of Hawaii reefs, and possibly shed light on the critical population status for Hawaii hawksbills.
Tympanic Reperforation in Myringoplasty: Evaluation of Prognostic Factors

Objectives: The most frequent failure in myringoplasty is reperforation. This complication appears at a rate of 7% to 27%. The aim of this study was to evaluate the importance of the principal prognostic factors to the risk of reperforation. Methods: This is a study of prognosis based on an inception cohort. The prognostic factors considered in the study refer to clinical and surgical aspects; follow-up ranged from 5 to 7 years (mean, 68 months). The study was performed on 212 patients with or without otorrhea who underwent operation for tympanic perforation. All subjects underwent myringoplasty by means of an underlay or overlay technique depending on the size and site of the perforation. Results: Healing of the tympanic perforation was obtained in 182 cases (86%). Age, otorrhea, status of the contralateral ear, and conductive hearing loss did not significantly affect the outcome of surgery. On the other hand, time from surgery, the site of perforation, the type of anesthesia, the approach, the surgical technique, and the type of graft were significantly related to the outcome. Conclusions: In the analysis of our results, the surgical approach proved to be the principal prognostic factor in the anatomic outcome of myringoplasty. The results obtained suggest that the principal factors influencing the outcome of myringoplasty are technical and not clinical.
Long‐term renal function and survival of renal transplant recipients admitted to the intensive care unit

Arulkumaran N, West S, Chan K, Templeton M, Taube D, Brett SJ. Long‐term renal function and survival of renal transplant recipients admitted to the intensive care unit. Clin Transplant 2012: 26: E24–E31. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.
Intrinsic transcriptional heterogeneity in B cells controls early class switching to IgE

Noncoding transcripts originating upstream of the immunoglobulin constant region (I transcripts) are required to direct activation-induced deaminase to initiate class switching in B cells. Differential regulation of I&egr; and I&ggr;1 transcription in response to interleukin 4 (IL-4), hence class switching to IgE and IgG1, is not fully understood. In this study, we combine novel mouse reporters and single-cell RNA sequencing to reveal the heterogeneity in IL-4–induced I transcription. We identify an early population of cells expressing I&egr; but not I&ggr;1 and demonstrate that early I&egr; transcription leads to switching to IgE and occurs at lower activation levels than I&ggr;1. Our results reveal how probabilistic transcription with a lower activation threshold for I&egr; directs the early choice of IgE versus IgG1, a key physiological response against parasitic infestations and a mediator of allergy and asthma.
Age-specific associations between dental fear and dental condition among adults in Finland

Objective. Our objective was to study whether dental condition, measured by numbers of sound, decayed, missing, and restored teeth, was associated with dental fear, and whether age, dental attendance, and/or gender modified this association. Material and Methods. The sample (n=8,028) comprised Finnish adults aged 30 years and older and the study included people (n=6,335) who participated in a home interview and a clinical dental examination. Dental fear was measured by the question: “How afraid are you of visiting a dentist? ” Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between dental fear and dental condition variables, i.e. numbers of decayed, missing, sound, and restored teeth considering the effects of age, attendance, and gender. Results. With the exception of number of restored teeth, all dental condition variables were associated with dental fear. The association between dental fear and number of decayed teeth was positive and was independent of age, gender, and attendance. Age modified the association between dental fear and number of missing and sound teeth. Among the oldest age group, the numbers of missing and sound teeth were positively associated with dental fear while being negatively associated among the youngest age group. Conclusions. People with high dental fear have poorer dental condition than those with lower fear. Neither gender nor dental attendance affects the association between dental fear and dental condition. The associations between dental fear and numbers of missing and sound teeth vary according to year of birth.
Which Corporate Governance Mechanisms Drive CSR Disclosure Practices in Emerging Countries?

Although several studies have analyzed the role that specific corporate governance mechanisms have on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reporting practices, their findings have not been conclusive and the evidence from developing countries is scarce. The theoretical support for this relationship in the previous literature is found in Stakeholder, Agency, Legitimacy, and Good Management theories. Undoubtedly, as the institutional environment has an important impact on CSR reporting practices, it would be relevant for this field of research to analyze this relationship in companies from emerging countries. It is suggested for the sake of convenience to consider different levels of corporate governance mechanisms together due to the high interdependence among them. Consequently, the aim of this paper is to analyze whether different levels of corporate governance mechanisms (at the institutional, group, and firm level) are determinant factors of the CSR reporting practices in BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). The final sample was composed of 281 companies. On the basis of our results, we conclude that institutional corporate governance mechanisms influence the company’s CSR reporting strategy and that both CSR disclosure practices analyzed are affected by group-level corporate governance mechanisms in companies from family-based societies. Our findings support the appropriateness of separately analyzing this issue in emerging countries.
The cost, availability, cultivars, and quality of fruit and vegetables at farmers’ markets and three other retail streams in Canberra, ACT, Australia

ABSTRACT In Australia, many people fail to meet the recommended intake of fruit and vegetables for good health, frequently citing price, limited availability, and poor quality as barriers to eating more of these core foods. The purpose of the present study was to compare key attributes of fruit and vegetables between farmers’ markets and three other retail streams. The four attributes compared were price; availability of types of fruit and vegetables; number of cultivars for each type of fruit and vegetable; and quality based on visual appearance. Prices and quality of individual items at farmers’ markets compared satisfactorily with other retail streams, as did cultivar variety for some fruit, but not availability of types of fruit and vegetables. Further research is needed to determine whether contextual features of farmers’ markets and alternative assessments of quality, such as taste and freshness, affect consumers’ fruit, and vegetable consumption.
Impact of left atrial size reduction on chronic atrial fibrillation in mitral valve surgery.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY Left atrial enlargement is a risk factor for the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). Large atrial size increases thromboembolic risk and reduces the success rate of cardioversion. The study aim was to evaluate if left atrial size reduction affects cardiac rhythm in patients with chronic AF undergoing mitral valve surgery. METHODS Twenty-seven patients were analyzed prospectively. The left atrial incision was extended to the left inferior pulmonary vein. Left atrial size reduction was achieved by closure of the left atrial appendage from inside with a double running suture. The same suture plicated the left lateral atrial wall to the roof of the left pulmonary vein inflow and the inferior atrial wall. The atrial septum was plicated by placing stitches of the closing suture line across the fossa ovalis. Rhythm, neurological complications, cardioversion, anticoagulation and anti-arrhythmic medication were evaluated at one year postoperatively and at recent follow up (mean 40 +/- 15 months). RESULTS At discharge, five patients (19%) were in sinus rhythm (SR). At one year postoperatively, SR was restored in 17 patients (63%), but five (19%) reported episodes of arrhythmia and AF persisted in 10 (37%). At recent follow up, four patients had died and three were lost to follow up. Among 20 patients examined, 13 (65%) had SR but six reported episodes of arrhythmia and AF persisted in seven (35%). LA diameter was significantly reduced, from 60.2 +/- 9.8 mm preoperatively to 44.5 +/- 7.0 mm at one year after surgery. CONCLUSION The addition of left atrial size reduction to mitral valve surgery is technically simple, and was effective in 63% of patients with chronic AF, restoring predominant SR. In order to influence pathogenetic factors other than size, additional ablative steps may further increase the SR conversion rate. Size reduction may also improve the outcome of other ablative approaches.
Decline of Leaf Hydraulic Conductance with Dehydration: Relationship to Leaf Size and Venation Architecture1[W][OA]

Across plant species, leaves vary enormously in their size and their venation architecture, of which one major function is to replace water lost to transpiration. The leaf hydraulic conductance (Kleaf) represents the capacity of the transport system to deliver water, allowing stomata to remain open for photosynthesis. Previous studies showed that Kleaf relates to vein density (vein length per area). Additionally, venation architecture determines the sensitivity of Kleaf to damage; severing the midrib caused Kleaf and gas exchange to decline, with lesser impacts in leaves with higher major vein density that provided more numerous water flow pathways around the damaged vein. Because xylem embolism during dehydration also reduces Kleaf, we hypothesized that higher major vein density would also reduce hydraulic vulnerability. Smaller leaves, which generally have higher major vein density, would thus have lower hydraulic vulnerability. Tests using simulations with a spatially explicit model confirmed that smaller leaves with higher major vein density were more tolerant of major vein embolism. Additionally, for 10 species ranging strongly in drought tolerance, hydraulic vulnerability, determined as the leaf water potential at 50% and 80% loss of Kleaf, was lower with greater major vein density and smaller leaf size (|r| = 0.85–0.90; P < 0.01). These relationships were independent of other aspects of physiological and morphological drought tolerance. These findings point to a new functional role of venation architecture and small leaf size in drought tolerance, potentially contributing to well-known biogeographic trends in leaf size.
Integral Three-Dimensional Television Using a 33-Megapixel Imaging System

We have developed integral three-dimensional (3D) television using an ultra high definition imaging system. The system uses a device having 7680 pixels in the horizontal direction and 4320 pixels in the vertical direction for each of the red, green, and blue channels. A lens array comprising 400 lenses is configured in the horizontal direction and one comprising 250 lenses is configured in the vertical direction. The system is designed to ensure a maximum spatial frequency of 11.3 cycles/degree and a viewing angle of 24 degrees when the display is observed from three times the display height. The setup described here has simultaneously maintained the balance between the maximum spatial frequency and the viewing angle by shortening the focal length of the elemental lens while narrowing the pitch of the elemental lens. We have confirmed the generation of 3D images with an appearance that varies in a natural manner according to the position of the observer.